It is essential to unclog a kitchen sink at the point of detection. The kitchen sink is prone to clogging because of the food that goes into the drain while we wash the dishes. It is a terrible feeling when a clogged kitchen sink does not drain.

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When you wash the dirty dishes, the food remains trapped in the sink and will not drain properly. Whenever you confront this situation, the most prompt reaction will be to pick up your phone and call a plumber.

Five Methods of Unclogging a Kitchen Sink

Several methods are applicable to unclogging a kitchen sink. Each method has its advantages, and we need to discuss all strategies explicitly to assess their effectiveness. This section will discuss the five most effective ways to unclog a kitchen sink.

1. Clear the Trap

Cleaning the trap is easy! You will find the U-shaped pipe under the kitchen sink, known as the trap. Because of the shape of this trap, heavy food particles get stuck. Your kitchen sink will clog when these particles are stuck in the trap. It would help if you had a bucket to clear the trap by following these steps:

Start by pouring a bucket under the trap, then unscrew the slip nuts above it to loosen it.
When you loosen the trap, it should fall into the bucket.
Clean it thoroughly, clear all the debris, and reattach it by tightening the slip nuts.
You will clear the trap within three to four minutes.

2. Use of a Plunger

The plunger is a basic plumbing tool, and you should always keep it in your house. Before you use a plunger, ensure that the trap is clear so that you don’t push debris from the trap into the drain. Here are the steps to follow:

Put a couple of inches of water in the sink.
Push the plunger on the sink’s drain quickly, push down and pull up. Repeat this process two or three times.
If you think this method is not applicable, try a different approach.
If your sink has two drains, you will need to solidly hold a second plunger over one while you plunge the other drain.

3. The Vinegar and Baking Soda Method

The vinegar and baking soda method to unclog a kitchen sink are one of the best. It effectively removes the sludges and other build-ups in the drain. However, this method does not work when the build-up has aged for a long time.

Pour one cup of baking soda into the drain and back it up with one cup of vinegar.
Wait for fifteen minutes so that the vinegar and soda settle down.
Now pour hot water for five minutes into the drain. This method is probably the easiest of the lot. But if this method does not work, it indicates that the clog is serious and you need to try something else.

4. Clear the Drain with an Augar or Drain Snake

This is an effective method of clearing clogs, but it is also the most time-consuming method. This method will clear your drain more completely than any other method. Here are the steps that you need to follow:

Remove the trap to begin the process.
Now move the auger, or drain snake, to and fro throughout the drain. Make sure to utilize the auger thoroughly.
This process will take ten to fifteen minutes if a professional does this process. However, for a beginner, it may take a bit long.
Run some water through the drain to complete the process.

5. Using Dish Soap and Hot Water

This method is useful for relatively simple clogs and not stubborn ones. Therefore, If your kitchen sink is completely clogged, this method will not work. Before using this method, here’s a quick precaution: PVC pipes tend to soften at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are using PVC pipes, avoid using this method.

Let an entire bottle of liquid dish soap flow into the sink. The more the quantity of soap, the better it is.
Run the water for another minute or so.
Start with pouring almost five gallons of boiling water. This water will break the clogs and clear the drain.
In other words, turn on the hot water tap for about ten to fifteen minutes.
Wait for a few minutes and run the water again for about five minutes.
This method will clear partial or simple clogs.

Conclusion

It is essential to detect the clog and unclog a kitchen sink initially before it becomes a headache. Several methods of clearing the sink are available and can be applied. Before you call a plumber, you go through these methods.