How to Unclog Your Kitchen or Bathroom Sink

Q: 1. What's The Strongest Thing To Unclog A Drain?

A drain solution like Draino is the strongest way to clear your clogged drains.

Q: 2. Will Pouring Boiling Water Down A Drain Unclog It?

Yes, but you will need to use other items like baking soda and vinegar to help clear the clog.

How to Unclog Your Kitchen or Bathroom Sink

We would not be wrong if we said that grime, dirt, and hair are the three monsters taking up most of the space in your kitchen and bathroom drains. There’s no easy way to say this, but it has to come out.

It may have been months since you’ve dedicated time to unclogging your household drains, and you may be lost on where to start. Although some drainage issues require a plumber's services, there are many simple home remedies you can try first.

Don’t stick your fingers or a butter knife down there! Try these Foolproof Methods Unclog Your Drains in your home:

TURN ON YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL

Image Sourced from: https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/quick-tips/what-to-put-in-garbage-disposal/

This step may seem quite obvious, but many people need to be made aware that their sinks have a garbage disposal, and if you do have a garbage disposal, your problem might be as simple as running it a couple of times.

First, locate your disposal. Frequently your disposal switch will be installed as a small circular button located above your sink directly next to your water faucet. Additionally, try finding it under your sink, where it may be designed to mirror that of a light switch. Always run hot water down the disposal as it’s running to dispose of every tiny bit of food waste!

If you find clogged kitchen drains are a weekly occurrence in your home, and your family does not have a garbage disposal, consider installing one to avoid constantly clogged drains and potential future plumber costs.

HOME REMEDIES - WATER, BAKING SODA, AND SALT

You might not have guessed it, but hot water is your new best friend. If you suspect your clog is due to cooking grease, boiling water should do the trick. Simply boil a pot of hot water and slowly pour it down your kitchen or bathroom drain in small increments.

If you see that the water is beginning to drain easily and quickly, you’ve solved the problem! If not, you may have to use more water or start to add other household ingredients to the mix.

With this step, you shouldn’t have to purchase anything new. Common household ingredients such as baking soda, salt, and vinegar can help unclog your drains. If you plan on using all three of these ingredients, start by pouring your baking soda and salt into the drain first. There is really no set amount you must use, as all of these ingredients are safe.

Next, pour vinegar and boiling water into the drain and let the mixture stay there for about an hour. After an hour, turn on your faucet and let the water run through the drain to determine if it has been unclogged. You may have to repeat these steps more than once to see results.

GO FOR THE PLUNGER

Image Sourced from: https://goldcoastplumbingcompany.com.au/how-to-clear-a-clogged-sink-diy

Another common household item is a plunger. Luckily, the plunger has more purpose than a toilet. It should take at most an hour and is easy to do! However, some necessary steps must be followed.

First, always clean your sink of any already existing debris, hair, or dirt. Anything extra may interfere with the job of the plunger and make it more difficult to see results. Next, you’ll want to remove any sink stoppers or filters. For the plunger to work, it’ll require as much free space as possible.

From here, you’ll want to fill your sink three to four inches above the drain with hot water. This step is essential if you want to create a tight seal with the plunger to increase airflow and get as much debris out of the pipe as possible. Next, it’s go time! Do not simply place the plunger on the drain and begin to plunge. Instead, push the plunger down on one side and roll it around to the other side to create the tightest seal possible. The ultimate goal is to create resistance.

Now it’s time to plunge! Make sure to use both hands and to work quickly. Press up and down on the plunger with quick and swift motions for at least 10 seconds. Repeat this step for another 10 seconds and release the plunger from the drain. If the water begins flowing normally, you’ve unclogged the drain! If not, you may have to continue plunging for a few more minutes. This process takes time, so do not get discouraged.

CALL A PLUMBER

If you’ve reached a point where none of these foolproof hacks have worked, you may want to consider contacting a plumbing company to do the job correctly. Not being able to find a solution may mean that your problem runs deeper than a clogged pipe, and the last thing you want to do is damage your existing pipes further.

An expert plumber will be able to identify the problem and find a solution promptly. This is the only method that will come from your wallet, with an average cost of <$30 per hour, depending on where you live.

NEXT STEPS

Now that your kitchen or bathroom drains are unclogged let’s keep them that way! There are lots of ways to keep your drains and pipes squeaky clean. First, never put more than a few food scraps in the garbage disposal, and never drain grease.

Avoid getting your hair down the drain; quickly throw it in the trash instead. Consider purchasing a drain screen to stop any larger pieces of debris or hair from getting stuck in your pipes.

For more helpful home improvement tips, head to our blog to read more articles like this one. If you want to remodel your kitchen or bathroom completely, head to Lily Ann Cabinets for the best and most modern solutions.