Unclog the Kitchen Sink Drain With These Pro Tips!

How To Fix a Clogged Kitchen Sink

It can be easy for anyone to take for granted just how much they use their kitchen sink until it gets clogged. It’s amazing how a clog in the kitchen plumbing can disrupt the day’s whole routine. Meal prep becomes a no-go. Washing dishes by hand has to be postponed or done in the bathroom, and in some cases, the clog may also affect the dishwasher drain. Not to mention how nasty the backed-up water can be - yuck!

A kitchen sink clog demands a speedy solution. Still, a plunger isn’t always effective, and chemical drain cleaners can damage the kitchen plumbing and fail to fix the problem, leaving harsh chemicals behind. Fortunately, there are other methods to try that don’t risk making matters worse. Learn about these safe, time-honoured drain clearing methods below!

The Boiling Water Method

There’s no better place to start than the boiling water method when attempting to fix a clogged sink drain. It’s as simple as bringing at least 2 litres (½ gallon) of water to a boil and slowly pouring it into the drain. This is effective because solidified grease and soap scum are usually the main culprits behind kitchen drain clogs, and boiling water can help dissolve and melt these substances away.

Of course, boiling water can also melt or damage pipes made from PVC and other plastics, so this method should not be used on these kinds of pipe materials. This method also won’t work if the drain is full of water and food waste that won’t budge - the hot water will be too diluted to impact the blockage.

However, this method has been known to work well in many cases. If the water is still draining slowly after one try, it may take a couple more pots to wash away the obstruction fully. If it still seems to have no effect, it’s time to move on to the next option.

The Baking Soda & Vinegar Method

The classic baking soda and vinegar trick can often save the day when the previous method falls short. This method also requires no standing water in the drain, so it’s best to remove it with a wet-dry vac or small sump pump, if possible.

Homeowners can do this method in just a few easy steps:

Pour 1-2 litres of boiling water down the drain (skip this step if the sink won’t drain at all).
Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain.
Pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain.
Place a drain plug or stopper in the mouth of the drain to trap the mixture.
Wait 15 minutes while the mixture goes to work.
Remove the stopper and pour another 1-2 litres of boiling water down the drain (hot tap water may work as an alternative).
Repeat the process as needed.

Since baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid, mixing them produces a chemical reaction, unleashing an active rush of bubbles that can agitate stuck materials and eat away at the clog. Used periodically, this can also be a helpful DIY drain cleaning method for helping prevent future clogs. However, it often isn’t sufficient for clearing particularly stubborn clogs.

The Pro Plumber Method

If homeowners have tried every trick in the DIY book (except those that can do more harm than good) and are still stuck with a clogged kitchen sink, there’s one more tried and true method – hiring a pro.

Professional plumbers have specialized tools for drain cleaning, such as drain snakes and hydro-jetting machines. The former involves a long, flexible metal coil with a corkscrew-like end that can drill into blockages, allowing them to be pulled out. The latter involves a hose with a special nozzle that blasts obstructions with a high-pressure water jet while spraying the pipe walls to remove residue that can form future clogs.

But professional drain cleaning specialists don’t just have the tools. They also have the skills and training to use them safely and without damaging the home’s plumbing system so that homeowners can get back to their routines in no time.

About Guardian Plumbing and Drain

Guardian Plumbing and Drain has been a trusted industry leader for years. They always provide up-front pricing, free estimates, personalized solutions, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee for the peace of mind of every customer. Guardian also offers same-day service, so don’t hesitate to call them for drain cleaning in Cobourg, ON.