What Causes A Slow Draining Kitchen Sink
A slow draining kitchen sink can be very frustrating to use. What is worse is that if the sink is not fixed sooner than later it will become fully clogged and not drain at all.
A slow draining kitchen sink is usually caused by fats, oils grease and foods that stick on the drainpipe and P-trap restricting the flow of water. It could also be caused by a clogged vent stack, which creates negative air pressure in the drainpipe. A clogged garbage disposal could also be the culprit.
To fix a slow draining kitchen sink, empty it completely, pour ½ cup of dish soap down the drain then fill it with hot water. If that doesnt work, pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar and after 30 minutes blast hot water down the drain. Clean the P-trap to remove tough clogs. If its still clogged clear the vent stack.
When your kitchen sink wont drain or is draining slowly but it is not clogged, clear your vent stack. A clogged vent means that air is not getting out of the system, and is forcing its way out of the kitchen drain.
Mixture Of Vinegar And Baking Soda
If the boiling water did not work, another method you could try at home is using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. We can use the baking soda and vinegar, laying in the kitchen cupboard, as a cleaner. Make the solution using equal parts of vinegar and baking soda. The mixture helps to remove the gunk present in your drain. Pour the bubbly liquid as soon as your mix it. Repeat the process as necessary.
If you want to save yourself the trouble of mixing the two items, you can spurt dry baking soda down your kitchen sink followed by vinegar. For the most effective result, let it stay there overnight and then, flush the drain with boiling water the next day.
Kitchen Sink Wont Drain Not Clogged
A common mistake that homeowners make is dumping grease, oil, and fats down the drain.
It may seem harmless, but this actually damages your plumbing.
Grease, oil, and fats turn into a sludge that sticks to the pipes walls.
As it mixes with water, especially if the water has minerals in it, the sludge thickens.
Eventually, the water cant pass through the drain.
There are a few ways you can keep sludge from forming in your pipes.
The easiest is to pour grease, oil, and fats in the trash rather than down the drain.
Another is to use a sink stopper.
Some stoppers come with a cage on the bottom that traps hair and other solids.
It can also be useful for limiting how much sludge enters the pipe.
Examining the stopper can also tell you if sludge exists in the pipe.
The stopper will have sludge on it, too.
There are also pipe-safe biodegradable cleaners that can eat away at the sludge over time.
Once the buildup is gone, the kitchen sink will drain again.
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Reach For Your Sink Plunger
Keep in mind that the sink plunger is not the toilet plunger, these are two different pieces of equipment, and you should use the right plunger to handle your specific problem for the best results.
Take your plunger and put it in one side of the clogged sink. Take a washcloth or any rag and plug it into the opposite drain of the two basin sink . Begin applying some forceful pushes to one side of the sink and do this multiple times. Remove the plunger and the plug from both sides and see if the water in the sink begins to drain after this action. Run your garbage disposal and see if the water begins to clear.
If this does not fix the clog in your kitchen sink, try doing the same action again, but on the opposite sides. So plug the side you plunged with, and now plunge the side that was plugged before
If doing this step does not unclog your drain, you will have to try to remove and clean out the plumbing assembly from under your sink.
How To Unclog A Kitchen Sink
The first thing you need to do whenever you have a clogged drain is to check whether it is the only drain that is clogged, or all the drains in the house are clogged. What most people donât know is that the kitchen sink drain is connected to the bathroom drains, which all drain into the main house drainpipe. The main hose drainpipe drains into the cityâs sewer lines or septic tank.
If you find out that most of the drains in the house are either fully clogged or draining slowly, you most likely have a clogged main house drainpipe or a blocked vent stack. Clearing one or both of the 2 will fix the problem.
If fortunately, only the kitchen sink drain is clogged, fixing it is quite easy, because it means the clog is not too far from the sink. In most instances, the clog is usually in the U-bend under sink, commonly known as a P-trap or drain trap.
The following are the different methods of unclogging a kitchen sink drain:
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Mix Baking Soda And Vinegar
Remember those science projects from elementary school, where you mixed baking soda and vinegar to create a volcano effect, and everyone ooh‘ed and aah‘ed at the mess it made? We hope you took some notes, because you’re going to want to break out that same technique to tackle your slow draining sink!
If you didn’t, the process is straightforward: Start by pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, and then top it off with 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about an hour with the sink drain plugged, and it’ll work its magic . You can also swap the vinegar for lemon juice, which is as acidic so it gets the job done, but it also gives your kitchen a fresh, clean scent. Afterward, run the faucet with hot water or pour boiling water down the drain to fully cleanse the pipes, per HGTV.
What Causes A Kitchen Sink To Drain Slowly
As soon as a sink starts draining slowly or stops draining at all, we all think it must be clogged. But, a slow sink drain can be the result of a number of problems.
A kitchen sink draining slowly but not clogged should be diagnosed properly before you can start fixing it. A slow running sink drain that isnt clogged will eventually turn into a clog if you dont take care of it fast.
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Plunge The Kitchen Sink
- Before unclogging kitchen sinks with standing water, use a cup or basin to remove the water. Some methods may require the addition of fresh water.
- Always try plunging first. Small clogs can often be dislodged with a cup plunger. A simple plunger with a flat rim, it creates a seal over the sink hole to apply the pressure needed to dislodge the clog.
- Make sure the sink contains enough water to submerge the head of the plunger and place the cup over the drain opening.
- Maintain a seal and plunge up and down rapidly, keeping the plunger under the water level and lifting it only an inch or so on every upstroke.
- If you have a dishwasher with a flexible hose, place a clamp over the line or use a pair of vice grips to pinch the line closed. If you are concerned about damaging the hose, disconnect the hose and place a pipe cap over the pipe or disposal inlet. This prevents water from backflowing into the dishwasher line while you plunge.
- If plunging does not work, then move on to other methods for unclogging a kitchen sink.
Tip: Always keep separate plungers for use in the bathroom or kitchen.
Use Baking Soda And Cream Of Tartar
If you haven’t yet caught on, baking soda is the key to squashing any stubborn drain issue, and there’s plenty that you can pair it with to amplify its cleaning power. One of those options is cream of tartar, which is essentially just powdered tartaric acid. You probably have it up in your spice cabinet, but if not, it’s easy to find at any grocery store!
Bulldog Rooter, a Washington-based plumbing service, suggests combining 1/8 cup of the powder with 1/2 cup of salt and 2 whole cups of baking soda to fight a slow draining sink. Set the dry mixture aside and pour a generous amount of boiling water down the drain, and then follow with the cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt combo. Cream of tartar is especially effective at cleaning metals, so it’s a great option to try out if the vinegar or lemon juice isn’t quite doing the trick.
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How To Unclog Your Kitchen Sink That Is Clogged On Both Sides With A Garbage Disposal
Does this scenario sound familiar to the problem in your home?
You run your garbage disposal and find that water is beginning to be backed up into both basins of your two-sided sink. Not just water, but you also see scraps of food appear to float up with the backed-up water. This is not a good sign, and it could lead to more problems for your plumbing pipes if left unattended for a long period. The problem you are facing is a clogged drain line.
The good news is, there are actions you can take on your own to try to troubleshoot your garbage disposal or unclog your drain. The plumbers here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Cedar Rapids are happy to help you out with this problem, and we want to share some tips with you on how you can fix it. If you are uncomfortable performing any of the tasks we mention, do not hesitate to call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for a speedy and efficient repair. Our plumbers are available 24/7 and will always provide customer satisfactory drain cleaning.
Why Is Your Sink Backing Up On Both Sides?
If both sides of your double kitchen sinks appear clogged and begin to back up, the likely reason is a blockage in your sink’s main drain or you have a clogged garbage disposal. Baking soda and hot water can help unclog your drain and works great as a cleaning agent and odor absorbent.
Cause : Use Of Chemical Cleaners
We all use drain cleaners that are chemically infused. Why? Because it gives a shiny, new look to our sink, shower, or tub drain.
Cleaning with a powerful cleaner is good to maintain hygiene. But what about the chemical reactions pipes face over frequent usage?
It damages the inside of pipes and creates holes. That further causes dirty water supply into your sinks and showers. Since it decays the pipes, pipes lose efficiency and drain water slowly.
In this case, a plumber can replace your faulty ty pipe with a brand new one. But dont ruin it again with chemical drain cleaners.
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Tip : House Water Softener
The water we normally get from a house tank is hard. That cant dissolve the soap.
To soften house water you need to add some chemicals into the tank. These will cause reactivity and soften your house water. Chemicals like ammonia, borax, calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, etc can be added.
Its best to consult an expert before doing so.
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How To Unclog A Kitchen Sink Drain 4 Simple Fixes
Any slow draining sink is a nuisance. But different sinks tend to have different clogs. For instance, shower drains tend to collect hair. Kitchen drains, on the other hand, tend to have more problems with grease and food particles. The team at Herrmann Services put together these tips specifically for how to unclog kitchen sinks and garbage disposals.
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Learn How To Use A Drain Snake To Remedy Pesky Plumbing Clogs Yourself Saving You Time And Money
Kamron Sanders has been around the construction industry his entire life due to his father’s career as a general contractor. Growing up in this environment has contributed to his deep knowledge of construction techniques and processes, which he has expanded and exercised through his own remodeling projects. Kamron attributes his DIY prowess to growing up on a family farm in an environment where fixing, maintaining, and building things yourself was commonplace. Over nearly 15 years, Kamron has learned a variety of woodworking practices and techniques. Today, Kamron is a contributing writer to Better Homes & Gardens and other publications, specializing in woodworking, DIY, and construction, as well as general home maintenance and repairs.
Better Homes & Gardens / Image Studios
- Total Time:30 minutes
- Skill Level:Beginner
Is your bathtub or sink draining slowly? Are you plunging your toilet more frequently these days? You might be tempted to reach for a liquid drain cleaner as a quick fix, but these can actually wreak havoc on your pipes and septic system. Instead, there’s a safer solution thats sure to clear that pesky clog.
You might think stubborn clogs warrant a call to the plumber, but this is one home repair you can likely accomplish yourself. And theres a good chance that learning to properly snake your own drain could save you hundreds of dollars in plumbing repairs.
Plug In Your Shop Vac
Not able to flush the blockage down your kitchen sink, and it’s too stubborn to come up with a Zip-It or hanger? Then it’s time to break out the seriousdrain clearing hacks starting with the Shop Vac. It may sound silly, but this giant appliance is actually a wet/dry vacuum, making it a useful tool to suck up any debris that may be lodged in your kitchen plumbing.
Start by completely removing your drain stopper and any water stuck in the sink. Then, insert the nozzle of the vacuum inside the drain, and pad out any gaps with a rag or dish towel you want the opening to be airtight. Turn the vacuum on exhaust mode to get warmed up, and make note of any sound changes you should be able to clearly hear when the clog is loosened and makes its way up the vacuum. If not, turn on suction mode and then quickly turn it back to be on exhaust mode. The effect will be like a plunger, but significantly stronger, making way for your drain to finally be cleared, according to Superior Drainage.
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Kitchen Sink Not Draining Here’s How Easily To Unclog It
These household items can help you unclog the buildup in your kitchen sink pipes.
Katie Teague
Writer
Katie is a Writer at CNET, covering all things how-to. When she’s not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake.
You’ve got a problem when you’re washing dishes and the water stops draining. That standing water means your kitchen sink pipes are clogged with food and grease and need to be cleared out. But that doesn’t mean you should douse your sink with Drano. We’ve actually got a few methods that don’t require pouring chemicals down the drain at all.
The good news is that you may already have the items in your cabinets that you’ll need to get your pipes flowing again. Some methods require a simple mixture, while others require some extra elbow grease and suctioning power to clear your drain. But these methods are pretty inexpensive compared to calling a plumber.
Depending on how bad the clog is, you may need to follow all of these techniques and repeat them a few times to unclog your sink. And if your kitchen sink has a garbage disposal, try running that before you begin to grind any food that could be sitting in there . Here are the best ways to unclog your sink and send the stagnant, smelly water away.
If your kitchen sink isn’t draining, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to clear it, or plunge it.
When Slow Drains Arent Caused By Clogs
When we see standing water in the kitchen sink we often think the sink drain is clogged, or someone put orange peels or coffee grounds down the garbage disposal. Drains are often sluggish because of an obstruction, such as hair, sludge buildup, or tree roots, but that is not always the case. Sometimes the problem lies in clearing the plumbing vents, which have to be accessed by climbing onto the top of the roof.
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Use Boiling Water To Help Kitchen Sink Drain
Pouring boiling water down your kitchen sink is generally the first move to try to help it drain. Grease, soap residue, food scraps, and even hair can become trapped in your drain. Often, boiling water is all your pipes need to free the blockage.
If you havent already tried this method, simply bring a gallon of water to a boil and pour it directly into the drain opening. Then, turn on the faucet to check if drainage has improved.
If your kitchen sink still wont drain, repeat the process. After the second attempt, if the boiling water is still unsuccessful at improving drainage, move on to another method. If youve arrived at this article, odds are that your sink clog is too stubborn for this method anyway.
Note:Do not attempt this method if your kitchen sink drain is connected to PVC pipes. Boiling water could damage or melt the plastic.
Cause : Stuck Tree Roots
Tree roots are mostly stuck inside the sewer line. They love the sewer line because it has all the ingredients roots need to grow.
But, how to identify stuck tree roots that cause slow draining?
Any bad smell coming from the sink is an indicator. Gurgling sound while draining also signals tree roots growing in the pipe.
Other than that you may see insects, like earthworms coming out from the bathroom sink. These all indicate that the tree root is growing inside the sewer line.
When it happens, the sink finds it difficult to drain. And you get slow draining.
Its time to check whether its a tree root problem or not.
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