The sink in your kitchen is definitely very important to your daily routine. However, you may not be aware of this until problems arise. A clogged sink can be catastrophic; dirty dishes pile up and you are forced to stop cooking. This article guides you through a clogged kitchen sink.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Fix a Clogged Sink with a Plunger
Step 1. Fill the sink halfway with hot water
Step 2. Place the plunger (rubber suction drain) over the mouth of the sink drain
If the sink has 2 tubs, plug the tub that is not clogged with a rag. That way, the plunger pressure is concentrated in the clogged tub.
Step 3. Push and pull the plunger quickly
Then remove the plunger from the nozzle. Try to check, whether the water can drain it?
Step 4. Continue siphoning the drain until your sink is clear of the blockage
Method 2 of 3: Clear a Clogged Sink with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Step 1. Put on rubber gloves
Use a bowl or glass to transfer the water that is standing in the sink into a bucket.
Step 2. Put 1 cup of baking soda down the sink drain
If necessary, use a spatula to push the baking soda into the pipe.
Step 3. Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the sink drain
Cover the mouth of the sink with a stopper (a rubber stopper to seal the drain) to allow the vinegar to enter and reach the blockage.
Step 4. Wait for 5 minutes, let the solution work
After that, pour warm water into the sink. Has the blockage gone?
Step 5. Pour 4 cups of boiling water into the sink drain if warm water doesn't work
If the sink is still clogged, repeat the process of adding the vinegar and baking soda solution one more time.
Method 3 of 3: Fix a Clogged Sink with an Auger Cable
Step 1. Open the cabinet under the sink
Place a bucket under the pipe to catch any water that may run off.
Step 2. Remove the trap pipe
A trap pipe is a curved pipe that connects a horizontal pipe and a vertical pipe.
- Try removing the PVC pipe by hand.
- If you can't, use a wrench to loosen it.
Step 3. Pour the water in the trap pipe into the bucket
Check the trap pipe, is there a blockage in it? If necessary, clean the pipe as well.
- If you find a blockage in the pipe trap, after cleaning it, reinstall the pipe. Turn on the hot water tap. Can the water be drained smoothly?
- If the sink is still clogged, take the next step--using an auger cable (flexible steel cable).
Step 4. Remove the horizontal pipe connecting the trap pipe to the small pipe attached to the wall
Insert the end of the auger cable into the small pipe, pushing until the cable can't go any deeper.
Step 5. Pull about 46 cm of cable from inside the small pipe
Tighten the locking screw.
Step 6. Turn the auger cable handle clockwise
At the same time, push the cable even deeper into the pipe.
- If something hits the cable, turn the handle counterclockwise while pulling on the cable.
- If something else hits the cable, keep pulling on the cable by turning the handle counterclockwise until the blockage is pulled away.
Step 7. Pull the auger cable out of the small pipe
Reinstall the horizontal pipe and the trap pipe.
Step 8. Turn on the hot water tap, can the water drain smoothly?
If the water is slowly draining, use the plunger to dislodge the remaining blockage.
