unclog a kitchen sink - clogged sink

Kitchen Sink Keeps Clogging? Here’s 5 Easy Ways to Unclog It

Your kitchen sink keeps clogging, but there’s 5 easy ways to unclog it? You heard it right! Keep in mind, it may take more than one method to get your desired result. However, cleaning your drain with an auger, if done properly, always works.

1. Clear The Trap

Cleaning the trap is really easy! The trap is the U-shaped pipe under your kitchen sink. Due to its shape, solids — especially heavy solids — tend to get stuck at the bottom of the trap. This is what causes your kitchen sink to clog. To clean the trap, all you will need is a bucket.

  • Start by putting a bucket under the trap, then loosen the slip nuts above the trap.
  • When the nuts are completely loose, the trap should fall into the bucket.
  • Remove all debris and reattach by tightening the slip nuts.
  • The entire process should take less than 3 minutes.

2. Use a Plunger

Before you use a plunger, you will want to make sure the trap is clear so that way you don’t push debris from the trap into the drain. Here’s a great article on how to use a plunger correctly…it might surprise you to learn you’ve probably been doing it wrong.

  • Start by putting a couple inches of water in the sink.
  • Put the plunger on the sink’s drain, then quickly push down and pull up over and over again.
  • If water does not go down after 2 or 3 minutes, you will need to try a different method.
  • If your sink has two drains, you will need to firmly hold a second plunger over one of the drains while you plunge the other drain.
Depending on the circumstances, you should be using the correct plunger on the right occasion. In this case, a sink plunger would work best.
Depending on the circumstances, you should be using the correct plunger on the right occasion. In this case, a sink plunger would work best.

3. Use Vinegar & Baking Soda 

The vinegar and baking soda method for unclogging a kitchen sink is one of the most popular online solutions. It does a pretty good job of removing sludge and other buildup on the insides of your pipes. However, it only works if your drain is partially open. 

  • Start by pouring 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar into the clogged kitchen sink.
  • Let it sit for 15 minutes.
  • Finally, run hot water for 5 minutes. It is really that easy! If this doesn’t unclog your kitchen sink, it might be time to try the step below!
Watch this video to learn how to unclog your kitchen sink drain with vinegar and baking soda.

4. Clean The Drain With an Auger

This is the best way to clean and unclog a kitchen sink drain. However, it is by far the most time-consuming for cleaning a clogged kitchen sink. But it will get your drain much cleaner than any other method.

  • Start by removing the trap, as described above.
  • Now run your auger, or drain snake, back and forth throughout the drain. Make sure to run the entire length of the auger.
  • This should only take a skilled professional with high-end tools about 15 minutes. However, if it is your first time using an auger, expect it to take quite a bit longer.
  • Put the trap back together and run some water to make sure that the line is clear. 
This is the most difficult method, so keep reading for easier ways!

Pro Tip: Now that the auger has loosened and cleared the blockage, it’s time to flush your pipes and get them really clean. To flush your pipes, fill your sink all the way with water and then release it. If you have a garbage disposal, you will want to fill the side with the garbage disposal and run it while you are draining the sink. This will build up extra pressure.

5. Use Dish Soap and Boiling Water 

Before you use this method, here’s a quick warning: PVC starts to soften at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If your pipes are made of PVC, they could be damaged or destroyed (they probably won’t be, but it’s important to give you a heads up just in case).

This method only works if your kitchen sink is partially open and draining slowly. If you have a completely clogged kitchen sink, this method will not work at all.

  • Start by boiling as much water as you possibly can. It is recommended that you boil at least 5 gallons.
  • When the water is close to a boil, turn your sink on hot and let it run for 5-10 minutes.
  • When the water starts boiling, turn off your sink and empty an entire bottle of Dawn dish soap into the sink. Make sure it’s Dawn dish soap, not another brand. The bigger the bottle the better.
  • Run the water for a minute or so.
  • Now dump all of the boiling water into the kitchen sink.
  • Wait a minute or two and then turn the hot water back on for a few minutes. 
Yup, this video shows you how to use dish soap and boiling water to unclog your kitchen sink drain.

Final Thoughts

There you have it, five mostly quick, easy, and safe ways to DIY unclog a kitchen sink. In conclusion, these 5 easy ways should have your kitchen sink unclogged without a problem. If you find that you cannot unclog your kitchen sink using any of these 5 ways, contacting your plumber is what’s best.

Next time you feel that you are in a pinch, remembers these great ways to unclog your kitchen sink and give them a try!

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you’d like us to unclog a kitchen sink. Heck, we’ll even leave you with a free sink-style cup plunger after we’re done. We immediately handle all emergency plumbingdrain, and water damage problems, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines.

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