Regularly cleaning your drains can help lengthen the lifespan of your drain, get rid of bad odors, reduce clogs, and help avoid expensive repairs.

Even if you are performing regular drain cleaning, sometimes you’ll still find your kitchen sink drain clogged.

Before you reach for the phone, there are few things you can try before you call a plumber.

Are you wondering how to unclog your kitchen sink? Here are seven simple methods to try.

1. Check Your Garbage Disposal

If you have a garbage disposal, it’s possible that it’s the source of the problem. Your garbage disposal, sink, and dishwasher are all connected.

It’s possible that some debris or food particles have gotten lodged in one of the hoses that make up your kitchen plumbing system. Before trying any of these other methods for clogged drains, run your garbage disposal. It’s possible that doing so will clear up the problem right away.

2. Use Boiling Water

Before we hop into this one, pay attention to this warning. If your kitchen plumbing includes PVC pipes, avoid this method. Using boiling water on PVC pipes can lead to softening, warping, and damaging the pipes.

To use boiling water to unclog your kitchen sink drain, you’ll first want to remove any standing water in the sink. Once you’ve boiled a large pot of water, you’ll want to pour it directly into the drain in a steady and consistent stream.

This might clear your sink drain right away. If it seems to be moving but is still clogged, wait for the water to cool and try it again. You can try this method up to three times before you move on to the next tactic.

3. Try Baking Soda and Vinegar

This is a great method to use if you’re wary of using harsh chemicals to unclog your sink.

To do this you’ll want to remove any standing water that’s in the basin of the sink. Take one cup of baking soda and pour it into the clogged drain. Then pour one cup of either apple cider vinegar or white vinegar down the drain.

If you have one, place a sinkhole cover or a stopper over the drain and leave it be for about 15 minutes.

After the 15 minutes are up, remove the sinkhole cover and run hot water into the drain.

4. Use a Plunger

To use a plunger to remove a clog, you’ll want to get rid of almost all of the standing water in your sink basin. Leave roughly one inch of water, as this will help with suction.

You’ll want to use a plunger that has a single flat rim. Once you have a water-tight seal around the clogged drain, rapidly move the plunger up and down. You might have to do this several times over before the clog is undone.

If you have a two-basin sink, you’ll want to cover the drain of the other side of the sink. This helps avoid water gushing out this other side and can help improve the suction.

5. Try Using a Wet Vac

If a plunger isn’t up for the task, you can use a wet vac. You’ll want to make sure your wet-dry vac is on the wet setting.

Use the vacuum hose to create a tight seal around the clogged drain in combination with a wet towel. Once you switch the vacuum onto its high setting, it should unclog anything that’s stuck inside.

6. Use a Plumbing Snake

A plumbing snake (which also goes by the name auger) is another handy tool to help break up hard to reach clogs. Plumbing snakes are flexible and can therefore follow along with the angles of piping without causing plumbing damage.

To use a plumbing snake, you’ll first have to disconnect the p-trap under your sink. Place a small bucket underneath so any backed up water doesn’t make a mess in your cabinet.

Take a look in the pipe and see if you can see the obstruction. If you can’t, that means it’s out of sight further down the pipe and it’s time to use the plumbing snake.

Push the plumbing snake into your pipe until you feel resistance from the clog. Make sure that the plumbing snake goes down at the intersection of the T-fitting and not the other way.

At the point you feel you’ve reached the clog, you can tighten the screw that’s on the front end of the snake. Then you’ll turn the crank clockwise while pushing the cable forward. This should break up the obstruction and solve your clogged drain woes.

7. Try a Wire Coat Hanger

A wire coat hanger can be used instead of a plumbing snake if you don’t have one on hand. This is not as good as having a plumbing snake because it won’t go as deep into the drains, but it can be a lifesaver in a pinch.

You’ll want to unwind the coat hanger and use it much in the way you would a plumbing snake. You just want to be sure to be gentle with your movements, as you don’t want to damage your pipes. When using a coat hanger to break up a clog, you can also run hot water in between attempts to assist in unclogging it.

How to Unclog Kitchen Sink: If It’s a Constant Problem, Call a Plumber!

Are clogging drains a constant problem in your home? Are you sick of trying to figure out how to unclog your kitchen sink? It’s possible that it’s time for you for some regular drain maintenance and cleaning.

Are you looking for a plumber in Orange County? Contact us today to request a quote for a professional drain cleaning!