How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink with Standing Water

Whether it’s your bathroom or kitchen sink drain, an accumulation of food waste or grime can lead to a clog in your PVC pipes. Once your sink is clogged, you may notice stagnant water along with a foul odor, leaving you with a sour taste in your own home. In this article, we share how to unclog a kitchen sink with standing water.  

Unclogging Your Kitchen Sink with Standing Water  

Luckily, you won’t have to call a professional plumber or spend too much money to fix this problem. Below is a quick and easy guide on the most effective ways to unclog your sink.  

Plunging Method

1. This first option isn’t just convenient, but it also requires no prep work. The first thing you need to do is clear out any food scraps or debris blocking your drain; while you can use tools to help, it’s best to put on some gloves and get your hands dirty. Be sure to remove coffee grounds, grease, oil, and food particles, which can clog the sink. 
2. Next, check your drain to see if the clog remains. If there’s still standing water, it’s essential to remove it. 
3. Sinks will often have an overflow drain underneath the tap, which helps the main drain remove high levels of standing water. If you have one, be sure to open it and clean it carefully with a rag. 
4. This next step is critical, so go slowly to ensure everything is right. Take your plunger and place it firmly on your drain opening, ensuring that it’s completely covered by the cup. Doing this will create a vacuum that won’t let any air escape; when you have a good grip, push your plunger’s handle in and out to move the clog. Alternatively, you can also use a drain snake or a wire coat hanger, but these can be trickier to work with. 
5. When you hear your pipes emptying and your sink becomes unclogged, you can stop the process and remove your plunger. To help clear leftover blockages, you can turn on the hot water from your tap or pour boiling water down the drain for 2 to 3 minutes. 

Baking Soda with Vinegar Method

If you don’t have access to a plumber’s snake or a plunger, you can always use home remedies such as the vinegar and baking soda combination that works wonders to unclog your drain. 

1. First, it’s time to prepare your ingredients, so be sure to use this mild, acid-based combination rather than using chemical cleaners. All you need to do is prepare 240 ml of vinegar in a cup and a full cup of baking soda, but don’t combine them since they need to be used separately. 
2. When ready, pour half of your baking soda inside the drain, making sure to cover the whole length. To do this, use a stick to help spread it out around the pipe, then flush half your cup of vinegar into the drain. You should hear a fizzing sound, which is a chemical reaction between them — it’s time to cover your drain and wait for the fizzing to die down. 
3. Once the fizzing stops, be sure to repeat the process with your remaining ingredients. 
4. Wait for half an hour before pouring boiling water into your drain to wash away all the clogs and chemicals. Keep pouring your water until the clog is gone completely. 

How to Unclog Double Kitchen Sinks 

Unfortunately, food remnants scraped off plates as you wash the dishes can lead to a blockage in your double sink. Below are a few effective methods to unclog your kitchen sink to ensure it works properly. 

Resetting Your Garbage Disposal 

Generally, your clogged kitchen sink can be linked to issues with your garbage disposal; before you diagnose the problem, prioritize your safety by making sure that it’s completely switched off. If you think your disposal is stuck, you can manually turn the blades by using an Allen wrench. If the blades aren’t stuck, check out the other solutions below. 

Using a Plunger

This solution works for both single and double kitchen sinks and works by making use of water pressure. When working with a double sink, be sure to seal the unclogged end using a basket strainer or a rag. You can start by filling the clogged side with up to 5 inches of water before plunging the drain for 30 seconds; this will encourage proper water flow. 

Next, slowly remove your plunger to check if the water drains normally but if the blockage is still there, be sure to plunge the drain a few more times to get your desired results. 

Cleaning the Trap Arm

If you find that your sink is still clogged, it’s time to remove and clean the P-trap under sink, which can be easily removed using pliers. Be sure to take out any debris you find; you can do this using a sturdy and long object such as a screwdriver. 

Using a Drain Snake

If you don’t have access to the P trap, you can use a drain snake by loosening the setscrew on your snake and pulling around 10 inches of cable. Be sure to retighten your setscrew before spinning your snake inside the drain line — keep turning it until you find the clog. When you feel that the tension on your cable is loosening, this means you’ve unclogged your drain, so turn your snake counterclockwise to pull it back. 

Unclogging Sinks: Tips and Tricks 

While using DIY methods can be cost-effective, some clogs can be too hard to remove, and some may come back after some time. These can indicate a deeper problem within your plumbing system that may need professional attention. Fortunately, you can handle persistent clogs without first having to call plumbers, so be sure to try these tips and tricks whether you have problems in the kitchen or the bathroom. 

Keeping Your Kitchen Sink Unclogged 

When you successfully unclog your kitchen sink, there are a few things you can do to prevent future clogs. One of the most important things to adhere to is to avoid leaving food scraps and grease on your plates and utensils before placing them in the sink. This not only keeps your sink unclogged but also protects the drain pipe from damage. 

Keeping Your Bathroom Drain Unclogged 

If you brush your hair in front of the bathroom sink, it’s a good idea to collect all of your hair strands from the sink and throw them in the bin once you’re done. Any professional plumber will tell you that an accumulation of hair is the greatest enemy of bathroom sinks, so allowing it to get inside your drains and sinks can set off big problems. Another big mistake is letting shaved hair fall down the shower drain along with soap scum.

While this may seem harmless since they’re small, it can create a huge clog as it accumulates. It’s also a good idea to clean your stopper or drain trap, since these can accumulate dirt and debris every now and then. 

Conclusion

If you’ve ever experienced water damage as a result of a clogged kitchen drain, the best way to avoid spending any more money on repairs is to ensure that your sinks never clog again. While you won’t be able to keep your drains in their original state forever, you can take preventative measures to help your sinks stay clog-free. Keep in mind that even simple methods, such as using hot tap water or changing your daily routines, can help to deter both kitchen and bathroom clogs.

Sources 

• bigblueplumbing.com
• restorationmasterfinder.com
• fivestarrated.com