Fixing a clogged kitchen sink is not as hard as one may think. If you ask those that have to do it frequently, they will tell you that practice does make perfect. With just a few tips and some tools, you can save yourself on plumbing bills by learning to do it yourself.
A half-cup of dish soap and a half gallon/two liters of boiling water will do wonders on a grease clog. Try to get as much liquid as you can out of the sink basin first and then pour the dish soap down the drain. Follow the soap with your boiling water and wait; it may take up to thirty minutes before things are clear.
A good flushing may be what your sink needs and you can do that with a cup of baking soda and a pot of boiling water. Scoop out as much liquid as you can before pouring the baking soda in. Then follow that with hot water. After it has drained, pour another pot of water to give it another good flush.
A stronger flush may be needed if a regular one does not work. This time add a cup of vinegar to your baking soda and then plug the drain. Let things sit and agitate for a bit. After thirty minutes, pour some boiling water in. If you cannot get all the water out before you start, just add extra baking soda and vinegar.
A plunger can usually clear up a stubborn clog. Make sure there is a few inches of water in the basin before you start and then place a cloth over the drain. The cloth will help create a seal for better suction when you begin plunging. Vigorously plunge for 30 seconds and repeat if necessary. In most cases, this works wonders.
When faced with nothing helping by working from the top of the sink, it is time to go below. Remove the trap and clean out any clogs you find in there. If it is clear, that means the clog is further in the pipes and you need to slip an auger or snake into the drain stub-out to clean out any obstructions.
As frustrating as a clogged kitchen sink can be, it feels good when you clear the problem up yourself, without calling in a plumber. You may need to try a few methods for some drains, but most times, you can clear one up in less than an hour. Sometimes though, a clog comes along that is a nightmare and that is when a plumber should be called in.
A clogged kitchen sink is nothing nice to go through. If you have a clogged drain pipe, you need to consult with a plumber and get it cleaned.