A clogged kitchen sink, should you call a plumber? It depends. Kitchen sink clogs are sometimes caused by minor issues that you can tackle. Instead of panicking and reaching for your phone to call the plumber, you may want to DIY the problem first, suggests IIP Management team.
If that doesn’t work, you can call your plumber. But note that while trying to fix the problems in your kitchen sink, it is important to avoid things that will endanger you or damage your plumbing. If unsure what to do, it is always best to call a professional.
Below are the different ways to unclog a kitchen sink without damaging your plumbing.
- Use a sink plunger
Sink plungers and toilet plungers are different. Never use a toilet plunger in the kitchen sink. To unclog the sink, place the plunger over the drain opening to form an airtight seal. If your sink has an overflow drain on the side, cover it with a wet towel to keep air from escaping through the opening. Plunge with quick, deliberate thrusts while keeping the bell of the plunger tight against the drain; push down and pull up with quick movements. To avoid injury, do not use a chemical drain cleaner in your sink before doing these steps.
- Dislodge the clog with an auger
Also known as a drain snake, an auger is another essential tool (along with a sink plunger) in the kitchen. Insert the tip of the wire into the drain opening and crank the handle (if it has one) to release the cable deeper into the drainpipe until you feel the blockage. Twist the wire carefully while pushing gently. This auger should tangle with the clog, allowing you to retrieve the materials inside your drains when you reel back the auger.
- Use a vacuum to suck out the clog
Place the hose on the drain opening and secure the edges to create an airtight seal. You may also poke the hose through a plastic bag and secure the edges of the plastic bag with tape. Switch on the vacuum; the pressure should suck the clog out of the drain. If your sink has an overflow drain by the side, ensure to cover it before doing this – use duct tape or a wet towel (do not use glue or anything that will be hard to remove later).
- Clean out the P-Trap
The P-Trap is part of the pipe assembly under the sink. As the name suggests, it is a P-shaped pipe. Debris can lodge inside the P-Trap and clog your sink. To remove the P-Trap, you will need to unscrew a few PVC nuts or connectors (you may need a pipe wrench for this). Pour the contents of the P-Trap into a bucket. Check inside the P-Trap to see if there is anything clogging it; if there is, remove it with a screwdriver, chopstick, or similar item.
- Using a drain-cleaner
If you can, avoid chemical drain cleaners. The harm they cause outweighs the benefits they offer. Apart from being hazardous to your health, they can damage your plumbing. Chemical drain cleaners also pose a risk to plumbers. If you must use a chemical drain cleaner, follow the instructions carefully. In place of chemical drain cleaners, you may want to try enzymatic drain cleaners that target grease and food.
- Call a professional plumber
If you have tried the above steps and your sink is still clogged, you may be dealing with a bigger issue. It is possible that the clog is not even in the kitchen sink drain or the pipes around the sink. It could be deep inside your drainage system. Your best option at this point is to call a professional plumber. Do not use chemical drain cleaners in your drains before calling a plumber, or if you do, ensure to inform the plumber.
The best way to stop drain clogs
The only drain clog you want to have in your home is the one that never happened. Preventing drain clogs is a better strategy than removing them. You spend less money preventing clogs in your kitchen than you spend getting rid of the clogs. How do you prevent clogs in a kitchen sink drain?
- Do not pour grease, oils, fats, and other sticky substances into your drains.
- Do not pour eggshells, coffee grounds, fibrous vegetables, and pasta/rice into the drain.
- Wipe/scrape dishes into the trash can before washing them, even if you have a garbage disposal.
- Do not wait until the garbage disposal is full before turning it on; grind small amounts of food at a time.
- Periodically – weekly or monthly – pour hot water or an enzyme-based drain cleaner into the drain.
- Throw ice cubes, lemon, and salt into the garbage disposal and grind them to clean the appliance.
Lastly, you need a reliable plumber who can inspect your drainage system at least once a year and take the necessary steps to keep the lines flowing. Your plumber should schedule routine inspections and professional drain cleaning.