by Rita McQuillan

Created on: March 16, 2010   Last Updated: October 05, 2010

HOW TO UNCLOG A KITCHEN SINK

If you are careful a sink does not usually get clogged.  However, a small stick can enter the drain, get lodged and catch things and cause a lot of grief.  Also, grease is a common reason for a sluggish or stopped sink.  Plenty of hot water can often remedy grease clogs or try the following homemade remedy.

Homemade Drain Remedy

Boil 2 cups of vinegar and pour down the drain.  Next pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain.  Wait until the bubbling stops and flush the drain with a gallon of boiling water.  This is safe for septic systems and it is not poisonous. 

Plunging

If the drain is not moving then it is time to use a plunger.  Be sure to have some water in the sink when pumping the plunger.  The water will make a seal with the plunger to the drain.  If it is a double sink plug the other side to avoid the water going from sink to sink vs. down through the problem area.  Also, keep the plunger straight up and down or you may get splattered from various angles with dirty water, if after a few minutes of plunging the drain still will not clear then more aggressive action is necessary.  

Drano

Perhaps it is time to turn to a harsher chemical such as Drano.  These chemicals are designed to dissolve the debris better than vinegar and baking soda.  Use the product according to the instructions on the label.  However, if there is a suspicion of a foreign object such as a wire or pen being in the drain, or if the environmentally unfriendly option of Drano is not to your liking, then the following would be a better choice.

Dismantle

This involves getting a pail and putting it under the sink trap.  Remove the cleanout plug and washer using a pipe wrench. A gush of water still in the sink amongst other debris may or may not come out.  A tool such as a screwdriver can be used to find the foreign object.  If Drano, or something like Drano, was used a black slimy substance will be at the top of the clog and could be harsh on your skin.  Using waterproof gloves would be important here.  Personally, I like the idea of waterproof gloves even if no Drano was used as some rotting food of some sort is likely to come out, hence the pail

Snake

On the other hand, if the drain does not have a block at this point and it is further down then a snake or drain auger is necessary to probe further on.  If the snake can push through the

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