Clogged kitchen sinks can be a real pain. They are inconvenient, unsightly and unsanitary. Depending on the severity of the clog, you may need to call in a plumber to get it fixed. However, there are some simple and inexpensive ways to clear a clogged kitchen sink on your own.
First, try to determine what’s causing the problem. It could be food, grease, soap scum, small objects or hair. A common culprit is leftover food from dishes that float down the drain after you’ve finished washing them. The bits of food can build up in the pipes over time and eventually become a clog.
Next, make sure there aren’t any large items stuck in the drain. These can include toys or rings that have gotten stuck in the pipes.
When this happens, it will require the use of a plunger or a plumbing snake to get them out of the pipe system and out of your sink.
If that doesn’t work, you can try boiling water to dislodge the clog. But this method shouldn’t be used if your pipes are made of PVC because it could damage or melt the plastic.
Another option is to add a cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar to your sink’s drain and cover it with a stopper or sink lid. After letting the mixture fizzle for 15 minutes, remove the cover and run hot water down the sink.
Baking soda and vinegar are both known to cause chemical reactions, which can cut through clogs. They also help to dislodge trapped debris and can sometimes clear a clogged drain completely.
Adding salt and baking soda to the drain can also help to break up some of the clog’s contents. The sodium bicarbonate in the baking soda will react with the acetic acid in the vinegar to produce bubbles, which can cut through some of the clog’s contents and help it to move down the pipe.
Finally, consider using a drain snake or auger to manually dislodge the clog. These tools are hooked and can be used to pull out objects like hair and other materials that don’t easily stick to the side of a drain pipe.
If you have a garbage disposal in your sink, it can also help to remove clogs from the drain by running it in short bursts. It’s also a good idea to use it regularly to prevent food waste from getting caught in the blades and creating a clog.
Once the blockage has been removed, it’s a good idea to flush the drain with hot water to ensure that the clog is gone and no other food particles or grunge is left behind.
A clogged sink in Wilmington can be especially difficult to clear if you have small children in the home, because they are prone to dropping small objects down the drain. Rings, small toys, and earrings are all common.
These items aren’t typically made for a traditionally sized drain pipe, so they tend to stick and form a clog over time. The best way to avoid these clogs is to keep the drain free of small items and never put them down the sink in the first place.
