If you’re like most people, you spend a lot of time in your kitchen sink washing dishes, cleaning up after meals and doing other chores. But a kitchen sink can become clogged, and you need to know how to spot it and fix it before it gets out of hand.
First, if you notice that your sink is draining more slowly than usual, that might be an indication of a clog, says John Mushinski, a plumber at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Cedar Rapids. This could be a sign of something as simple as a buildup of food particles and grease, or it could be a more serious problem, such as a foreign object lodged in your pipes.
In any case, a clogged kitchen in Wilmington is annoying and frustrating to deal with. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best ways to unclog your kitchen sink.
- Plunge It Out: When you’re ready to start, grab a plunger. This handy tool will help you create a strong seal over your clogged drain, so that it’s easier to push down hard and repeatedly until the water starts draining again.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: If you’re dealing with a light clog, baking soda and vinegar can break it up and get it flowing again. But don’t use this method on large blockages.
- Boil it Up: If your clog isn’t a particularly stubborn one, the easiest way to clear it may be with some boiling water. Pour half a gallon of water into the drain and turn on the faucet to see if it starts to drain more easily.
- A Coat Hanger and Rubber Gloves: A wire coat hanger is a great tool for grabbing small clogs close to the drain. Straighten the coat hanger and make a hook at the end of it, and then take the hook down the drain as you hold the other end of the hanger with rubber gloves. Once you’ve got the clog pieces out of the sink, pull them up and dump them in the trash.
- A Plumber’s Snake: A plumber’s snake, also known as an auger, is another useful tool for breaking up a clog and getting the sewage moving again. This device can be a little tricky to use, but it works.
- A Wire Coat Hanger and Rubber Gloves: You can create a homemade version of a drain snake by simply using a wire coat hanger. Grabbing the hooked end of the wire, you can twist it into the clogged drain opening and use it to pry up the clog pieces.
Finally, you can use a plumber’s snake if your clog is particularly stubborn or severe. This is a good idea when other methods don’t work or you’re not sure how to remove it without damaging the pipes in your home.
Once the clog is out, clean it with a bleach solution or a commercial drain cleaner to ensure that all of the bacteria are gone. This will prevent future clogs and keep your sink running smoothly.
Why You Should Never Ignore a Clogged Kitchen Sink Or Bathroom Drain in Wilmington