Sinks are designed to be used for washing dishes, doing laundry, or preparing food. No one expects sink drains to clog! However, it is not uncommon for sink drains to become partially blocked with food particles and other debris that can’t pass through the u-bend of the sink drain. This article will walk you through the steps to unclog a sink drain in 3 easy ways!
Use boiling water
When hair, grease, soap residue, and other material become clogged in your drain, boiling water may be all that is required to clear the obstruction. It’s the most straightforward solution, so try it first when trying to unclog a sink.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Bring half a gallon of water to a boil in a pot on the stove or kettle.
- Boiling water should be poured immediately into the drain opening.
- Check to see if the water drains steadily by turning on the faucet. Repeat the method if the water is still draining slowly or standing motionless in the sink.
Check the sink’s garbage disposal
If you have a garbage disposal in your sink, it could be the source of your drainage problems. Turning on the disposal, if the clog is in the disposal, typically clears it. Overheated or malfunctioning disposals may not even turn on, but you may easily reboot them by pressing the reset button on the side or bottom of the device. To clear the clog, try turning the disposal on again after resetting it.
Use a plunger
It’s time to pull out the plunger once you’ve determined that the disposal isn’t the issue. Keep in mind that while you can use a toilet plunger if that’s all you have, Dengarden recommends using a flat-bottomed one. Follow these instructions with your plunger at the ready:
- Fill the sink with hot water until it’s about halfway full and the drain is sealed.
- Place the plunger over the drain and start pumping quickly up and down numerous times.
- Wait for the water to drain before removing the plunger.
- Rep the procedure till the water drains completely.
Use baking soda and vinegar.
This method is a safer, more natural alternative to utilizing chemical drain cleaners to clear clogged drains. Baking soda and vinegar are also typical household ingredients that you’re likely to already have in your kitchen, which is great. To allow the mixture to perform its magic, follow these steps:
- Move stagnant water from the sink with a cup or basin.
- Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain, pushing the powder down with a spatula or spoon if required.
- One cup of white vinegar should be poured down the drain.
- To close the drain, place a stopper or a cover over it.
- Allow 15 minutes for the mixture to rest.
- Remove the cap and flush the drain with hot tap water.
More information on how to DIY your clogged sink here.