How Do You Unclog A Kitchen Sink?

You have a reason to be concerned about the kitchen sink when it starts taking a long time to drain. If not handled on time, the water will begin to stink and make your environment unbearable. It is prudent to unclog the kitchen sink as soon as you notice problems with it.

But what exactly are you supposed to do? Here is how to unclog a kitchen sink:

A Bent Wire Hanger

As simple as it seems, a bent wire hunger is effective when it comes to unclogging the kitchen sink. Take one of your coat hangers and straighten it as much as possible. Bend one of the ends to make a small hook. Push the hook through the drain and start fishing for solid particles that could be clogging the drain. Once you are sure you have pulled out enough dirt, take hot water and pour into the sink.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Take 1/3 cup of vinegar and mix it with a similar amount of baking soda. As soon as it starts fizzing, pour it down the drain you wish to unclog. The fizzing action removes the grime, hair, and gunk that has accumulated inside the pipe. Allow it to sit for one hour or overnight if you want. Finish it off by flushing with hot water. Alternatively, you can start by pouring baking powder down the drain followed by the vinegar.

Boiling Water

This is perhaps the easiest thing you can do to unclog your kitchen sink. Boil water in a kettle or pot on a stove and slowly pour it down the drain. Do that in up to three stages while allowing the water to settle and get to action for a few seconds. Repeat the whole process. The hot water should melt any solidified grease and leave you with an unclogged drain.

Caustic Soda

Before using this product, make sure you have eye protection and gloves on. That’s because caustic soda is known to cause burns. In a mop bucket, pour ¾ gallons of water. Add 5 cups of caustic soda to it. Use a wooden spoon to stir it. The solution should start heating up and fizzing. Pour it into the kitchen sink and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Use boiling water to flush the drain.

Cleaning the Pipe

Start by placing an empty bucket under the trap, a u-shaped pipe beneath the sink. The idea is to have the bucket collect the water that spills through. Use a wrench to loosen the nuts and remove the trap. Turn the trap upside down and empty its contents. Fish for possible debris from the trap as well as the other pipes that held it in place. To get rid of the tough gunk, use an old toothbrush. After you have rinsed it with water, put the trap back in its position.

If any of these methods don’t work, then it is time to ask a professional plumber to help you with the work. Contact Burlington City Plumbers for more information on plumbing installations and repairs in Burlington and the surrounding areas.