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A slow draining kitchen sink is a very common problem at home – and this problem is not as simple as it sounds. It can cause you a headache and lead to further plumbing troubles when not taken care of properly.
However, you don’t have to worry because we have some tips you can try at home to unclog it. They are very straightforward, and anyone can do it with simple tools and materials available in any household.
One of the simplest ways to unclog your kitchen sink that drains slow is to pour hot boiling water down the kitchen drain. All you need to do is boil a decent amount of water in a kettle and run it down the sink drain. Do this as soon as you boil the water to maximize the temperature of the water.
Hot water helps to break down clumped fat and food deposits. Often, this method is helpful to free the drain pipes from food accumulation. Repeat this technique two or more times to get rid of the clog.
If the boiling water did not work, another method you could try at home is using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. We can use the baking soda and vinegar, laying in the kitchen cupboard, as a cleaner. Make the solution using equal parts of vinegar and baking soda. The mixture helps to remove the gunk present in your drain. Pour the bubbly liquid as soon as your mix it. Repeat the process as necessary.
If you want to save yourself the trouble of mixing the two items, you can spurt dry baking soda down your kitchen sink followed by vinegar. For the most effective result, let it stay there overnight and then, flush the drain with boiling water the next day.
A DIY project is using a wire hanger to clean your sink drain. Find a bent wire hanger at home and straighten it out. Insert it down the pipe and grab the deposits of sediments and debris with the hook. Always focus on pulling the gunk out. When you push in towards the drain, it can invite more problems. The bent wire hanger often works well if done correctly.
You can use a wet and dry vacuum to unclog your kitchen sink that drains slowly. First, set the vacuum setting to liquid after you cover up the vent. Make a tight seal on the kitchen sink drain. It would help if you use a hose to tighten it.
Turn the vacuum on and let it suck the clog in the drain. We cannot guarantee that this method will work 100%. However, you can give it a try. Make sure you read and follow the instructions in the vacuum manual.
Caustic soda is also called Sodium Hydroxide. This chemical can be harmful if not handled properly. It’s a dangerous solution which can create severe burns and affect your eyes. So, please be careful while dealing with such a chemical. Always wear rubber gloves and eyewear while carrying out this method.
Caustic soda (products such as Drain-O) is available at hardware stores. As per the directions given in the package, pour cold water in a bucket (plastic material) and add the pop; around three cups. Mix it with a wooden spoon till it dissolves. You will notice that the mixture gets hot and fizzy. Now, pour the fizzy solution down the drain and let it stay there. After half an hour, run-down boiling water and repeat if required.
Note that chemicals like these can burn your skin. Also, they could pose a threat to you and your family. It is best to avoid trying any removal techniques if you do not have the proper knowledge and practice.
Children could get in the risk zone while you are working on the problem. The best thing to do is to call a plumbing professional for safe and efficient service.
One of the seven ways to unclog your kitchen sink that drains slowly is to use a drain snake to unclog the pipelines at home. It is a smart choice to invest in a drain snake. They are cost-friendly and are very helpful to push out sediment deposits in pipes and drains—the tip of the drain snake pushes through drain clogs.
A drain snake resembles a rope, and has one spiral end. For unclogging your kitchen sink drain, you should put it into the drain opening and twist the handle.
Continue pushing until you feel something resisting it. Now, turn the drain snake against the obstruction.
Repeat the whole process until you are free of the blockage. After this action, pour some warm water down the drain to ensure it’s unclogged.
You can pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and then 1/2 cup of vinegar down the sink drain. Let the mixture settle and pour hot water to flush out the solution. The combination can dissolve the gunk and remove the nasty odours.
Often, sediments and debris block the P-Trap in the drain. The P-Trap resides under the sink at the curve. You will see it in the cabinet below the kitchen sink.
There is no problem cleaning the P-trap; loosen up the contents in it and start cleaning it.
After you get the gunk out of P-trap, clean it with water. Put it back and see if this method worked for you. Cleaning the sink P-Trap is one of the seven ways to unclog your kitchen sink that drains slowly.
These are the 7 handy ways to unclog your kitchen sink that drains slowly. Try these tips at home, and please be careful with using chemicals like caustic soda. Call a professional if the problem persists. Your problem could be over if a plumber assists you.
The expert plumbers at iCare Plumbing are just one call away. Contact us for quick and affordable plumbing services.