A clogged kitchen in Northwest San Pedro can be a nightmare. Not only does it waste water, but the odour can be overpowering. Whether your clog is the result of food, soap, or just simple wear and tear, it can be frustrating and hard to get rid of. But if you can identify the problem, it’s easier to solve.
If the kitchen sink is backed up, it usually means that something is clogging the drain pipe, or there’s a blockage somewhere else in your plumbing network. This could be a sewer line that’s letting waste and gases escape, or a pipe in your home’s wall that’s broken and won’t drain properly.
First, take a look at your drain to see what’s causing the clog. You’ll want to remove anything you see that might be causing the problem, such as folded paper clips or small plastic hooks. If that doesn’t work, try using a coat hanger to loosen up any deeper obstructions.
Next, inspect your P-trap. This is a curved section of your drainpipe underneath the sink that helps catch any foreign objects that get caught down the pipe and can cause a clog. You can unscrew it to see if you can remove anything inside, or simply use a snake inserted into the pipe to break up and dislodge the object.
You can also run hot water down the drain to see if you can find a visible obstruction. If you can’t, a plumber’s snake or an auger may be necessary to clear your clog.
A clogged garbage disposal is another common culprit behind your clogged kitchen sink. This happens when the food remains that come out of the machine become too large to go down the drain pipe, and they get pushed back up the pipe and into your sink. This can be a frustrating problem and it’s important to clean out your garbage disposal regularly.
Some foods, like pasta and potatoes, can expand as they’re exposed to water. The extra water causes them to form a paste that can get stuck in the pipes and create a clog. To avoid this, dispose of these items in the trash can rather than in the drain.
Other items that can cause a clog include coffee grounds, soaps, fats and cooking greases. Any of these ingredients can harden in the water and form a blockage when they come in contact with cool interiors of your kitchen sink’s pipes.
Baking soda and vinegar are natural drain cleaners that can break up light stoppages, but they’re not meant for a major clog, advises Mushinski. “To use this method, you need to make sure that the clog is free of standing water, so you can pour a cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar down the drain.”
You can also try a plunger, but it won’t clear the blockage as quickly. The pressure of the plunger will push the food debris up and out, but you’ll need to continue pushing it down as well.
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