How to Clear a Clogged Kitchen Drain

2. Use The Plunger.

Holding tightly a wet cloth over the sink drain to cat like a seal, set your plunger over it and then plunge up and down vigorously for at least 15 seconds. If you have a dishwasher, then do not forget to clamp the hose and fill the sink with about 3 to 4 inches of water, which will ensure that the plunger will have more pushing power. When plunging, roll the plunger’s head into the water in order to force water (not air) into the drain. On the last upstroke, pop the tool off the mouth of the kitchen drain for additional pressure. If the water still does not swirl straight down the drain, then you can repeat the process for several minutes. Remember that using the plunger can be quick and easy, but it can also be wet and messy, so you might want to keep towels on hand to soak up spills. Also, avoid plunging if you are using drain cleaners or chemicals in the sink, as these solutions can cause serious burns on your skin if you are splashed.

3. Clean The P-Trap.

When disassembling the trap, loosen the slip nut on its arm and the taste tee, and then wiggle the trap free. Now, you can check the waste tee if it is clogged. If so, clean it. Clogs in the P-trap and the drain’s trap arm often occur when coffee grounds and grease stick to them. Sometimes, these things cannot be removed by plunging, which means that you have to remove and disassemble the P-trap. Follow these steps.

If these steps do not work, then it is time to use the snake.

4. Snake The Pipeline.

When inserting the snake into the drain, thread its tip into the stub-out, tighten the setscrew and then turn the crank clockwise to feed it into the pipe. Follow these steps:

Avoiding Clogs

You can prevent any type of clog from occurring by observing proper care when using your kitchen drain. Avoid overloading your waste disposal unit with meat and other food remains that are high in starch or fiber. Also, run plenty of cold water down your kitchen drain. Never dump coffee grounds or bacon grease into the drain, as they would solidify when allowed to settle and cool.

If you have followed these steps properly and still not able to clear your clogged kitchen drain, then maybe it is time to call in the professionals.