When faced with a clogged kitchen sink, the first thing that you need to do is to determine if you can fix it yourself first before calling a plumber. Aside from saving a few bucks on service fees, you might as well be able to learn a couple of things that you can actually do by yourself at home. However, if you figure that you just can’t fix it, that’s the time you call for help. In the meantime, try learning alternative steps in fixing the clogs in your kitchen sink.
1. Check Why Water Does Not Run Through the Drain
The reason behind this problem is the bunch of trash or junk that is clogged up the pipes. The culprit might be located anywhere in the drain and not just in the kitchen. It can also be coming from the vent pipe that leads to the roof. This may usually cause the draining pipes to block water from flowing through.
2. Dipsticks Can Do the Trick
Bathtubs, wash or shower basins can sometimes be clogged. This can be caused by hair clogs that normally happen. To deal with this, you can use a barbed plastic dipstick to push or pull out the hair in it. However, you need to be careful as the barbs can be easily broken.
3. Try Using a Plunger
If the clogs in your kitchen sink are heavy, try using a heavy duty plunger instead. This will be able to pump in pressure to break the clogging in the pipes. At the same time, you can avoid using chemical products that may toxify the waterways.
4. Seal Secondary Sink Openings
Some kitchen sinks have double outlets. If both of the sinks are clogged, it is better to seal off one temporarily. You can use a wet rag to do this while you plunge the other. By doing this, you are able to gain enough pressure to push the clog out with ease.
5. Try Using a Drain Cleaning Auger
If your regular plunger doesn’t work, perhaps it is time to use a snake. It is a drain cleaning auger that goes out to areas that aren’t possible to reach. Just don’t forget to put a bucket below the sink before unscrewing connectors. This area may contain toxic materials that will hurt your eyes or skin, so you must be careful.
Cleaning augers can be purchased that range from fifteen to fifty feet in length. Perhaps a 25 feet length will be more than enough. When using this type of equipment, make sure to follow instructions that come with the packaging.
6. Try Checking the Air Vents
Air vents plugged over the piping from the roof can sometimes be the cause of your ordeal. So, try to check if the air vent is causing it. Likewise, the slope of the drains are not aligned which can also cause the clogging.
Final Thoughts
Clearing clogs from a kitchen sink have lots of solutions depending on how stuffed it is. You just need a little patience to get the results that you want to achieve.
