Best Ways to Unclog a Kitchen Sink Drain

A clogged kitchen sink may be a nuisance, but it’s often a simple problem to solve, even without the help of a plumber. Many homeowners may think to grab a bottle of drain cleaner, but this isn’t always the best thing to unclog drains. Drain cleaners can damage to pipes and harm the environment as chemicals from wastewater seep into the soil and groundwater. They’re also hazardous to adults, children, and pets.

Fortunately, there are many natural, nontoxic alternatives to drain cleaner. Let’s take a look at how to unclog a drain with some simple and effective home remedies.

6 Ways to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink Drain

• Boiling water. The simplicity of this solution makes it one of the best home remedies for a clogged kitchen sink. There’s nothing to it. Just bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and pour it slowly down the drain. The high heat can break down food remnants and other debris to eliminate the clog. You may need to repeat the process for a stubborn clog.
• Salt. “Unclog drain with salt” may seem like questionable advice, but it can do the trick in a pinch. Pour about a half cup of salt down the drain and let it set for a few minutes. Then flush the drain with boiling water. The dissolving action of the salt helps clear away gunk that builds up in the pipes. Some people who follow this method add an equal part of baking powder to the salt and pour them down the drain together.
• Baking soda and vinegar. This remedy might bring back memories of science class. Pour about a third of a cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow this with a third of a cup of white vinegar. This will create a fizzing, foaming reaction that will dissolve any residue in the kitchen drain. Let it sit for 15 minutes before flushing with hot water.
• Plumber’s snake. Sometimes it’s better to extract the obstruction from the drain instead of flushing it into your plumbing system. A standard plumber’s snake can unclog a drain faster than you can search “home remedy for clogged drain with standing water.” Guide the snake down the drain and move it around to get hair and fibrous material caught on the snake’s hooks. If you don’t a have a snake handy, a wire hanger can be an effective substitute.
• Plunger. A plunger is good for more than a clogged toilet. The pressure a plunger creates is excellent for dislodging clogs in sink drains, too. If you have a second drain, bear in mind that you will need to make it airtight with a stopper or cloth to get a tight seal with the plunger on the first drain.
• P-trap. If no other method proves successful, it might be necessary to dismantle your sink’s P-trap and remove the obstruction by hand. Place some towels and a bucket beneath the trap to catch any water that will spill out. Then unscrew the connectors, remove the trap, clean it thoroughly, and replace it.

Maintain Your Kitchen With Liberty Home Guard

Unfortunately, not every potential problem in a home is as easily resolved as a clogged kitchen sink. A broken refrigerator, dishwasher, or oven is usually beyond what a layperson is willing to handle. For many people, it’s worth exploring a kitchen appliances insurance policy or kitchen appliance warranty to avoid the costs associated with repairing and replacing expensive machines.

Liberty Home Guard has many affordable plans to protect your kitchen and more. Use our website or call (833)-544-8273 for a free quote.