A clogged kitchen drain is a fairly common problem. You may deal with it periodically, especially after cooking a large or messy meal, or you might have little experience with a kitchen sink drain problem. If your drain gets blocked due to food residue or greasy dishes, here are some ways you can clean it.

Run Hot Water Down the Sink

For a slightly dirty or clogged sink, try running hot tap water down the drain for a few minutes. Your sink’s hot water faucet and flow might be strong enough to dissolve grease accumulations or push residual food down through the drain pipes.

If that does not work, boil some water on the stove or in the microwave. Use gloves and protective eye gear to prevent injuries. Remove everything from the sink. Carefully but steadily pour the hot water into the stopped-up drain without splashing it to loosen and remove the obstruction. You may have to do this several times to be successful.

Mix a combination of Baking Soda and Vinegar

Some people pour a tablespoon or two of baking soda into the drain followed by about a cup of vinegar (or a fifty-fifty mix of vinegar and water). This will cause intensive bubbling that could remove the muddy debris in the drain.

Follow the bubbling action with hot water and use the same preparatory methods as stated above. Again, depending on the size of the plug inside your sink drain, you may need to repeat this procedure more than once.

Use a Plunger

For resistant clogs that do not dissolve using the above methods, try using a bathroom plunger after making sure it is clean and free of toilet or bathtub particles since its last use. Pour hot water down the drain, wait a few seconds, and then wearing the protective gear, place the plunger over the drain and push forcefully to create a vacuum before returning the handle abruptly to suck loose the plugged residue in the drain.

This may need to be repeated a few times for effective results. Continue to add water as needed, but be careful to avoid splashing the water and getting burned. You can also use cooler water to moisten the drain in preparation for using the plunger.

Insert a Kitchen Drain Snake

An old fashioned but reliable “snake”, which is a long, thin plastic or rubber tube, can be inserted into the drain and wiggled to wrestle free any clinging globs of cooking grease, coagulated food, or other substances that are stopping up the sink drain. Move the snake to various depths and positions with the drain to get at whatever is causing the plug. You might need to remove the snake and clear the debris from it before using it again to recover stickier residue from the drain.

Try a Hair Clog Removal Tool

A hair clog remover that is commonly used in the bathtub or shower might work in your kitchen sink as well. Try inserting it into the drain according to the package directions. Move it around to catch whatever is stuck inside the drain. Withdraw the tool, remove the debris, and keep fishing for whatever is left in the sink drain. It may take several tries to remove everything that is coiled up in there.

Apply Commercial Drain Cleaners with Caution

Be cautious if you decide to use a commercial drain cleaner. These often use harsh, toxic chemicals that are hazardous to handle or use. Some corrosive products can harm your sink or drain pipes, too. Plus, keeping a toxic substance in your home is risky if you have kids or pets, so keep it out of their reach. Look for a product that is effective with limited harm potential.

Combine Techniques

Use the sink drain cleaning techniques you are most comfortable with of those listed above. You may need to combine two or more of these processes or repeat some steps several times to remove everything that is jamming the sink drain. Be patient and set aside some time to do the job right.

You might want to organize your tools, products, and protective equipment before getting started to avoid making an accidental mess. It is probably best to advise family members to avoid the sink area while you take care of the problem.

Disconnect the Sink’s Plumbing

If you are somewhat knowledgeable about home plumbing, you can try to disconnect the drain pipes underneath the sink and remove the clogged debris that way. However, it can be tricky to take apart the pipes and put them back together correctly, especially if they are old, worn, or damaged. Be careful not to damage the drain or the plumbing beneath the sink if you try to disconnect the parts, which could result in a more expensive and time-consuming repair.

Contact Whipple Service Champions

If you lack the time or expertise to clean out the drain, schedule your service online. Contact Whipple’s expert plumbing team that specializes in kitchen drain cleaning services. Whipple Service Champions has years of experience and a well-trained team of professional crew members who can quickly and efficiently clean your clogged sink. They won’t leave a mess behind, either. Whipple will get the problem handled competently, with industry-safe tools that will not damage your sink drain or plumbing. Contact Whipple to explain the problem and get a quote for all of your kitchen drain cleaning needs.

A clogged kitchen sink drain can stop your home life in its tracks. You may not be able to do much cooking or dishwashing until the problem is fixed. You might be able to handle a minor drain clog by using the above procedures. But if they don’t work, or you don’t have time to try, call for professional assistance. It will be worth the cost to regain peace of mind with a clean, unclogged kitchen sink drain.