A clogged kitchen sink is never welcome in anyone’s home. Dealing with a stubborn kitchen sink clog can be frustrating, whether draining slowly or entirely blocked. At Aslan Plumbing, we are experts in plumbing services and have seen our fair share of tricky kitchen sink unclogs. Before calling a professional, here are some preliminary steps homeowners can take to clear a clogged kitchen drain.
The first line of defence is often a chemical drain cleaner. While these products can work well, they can also be expensive and contain harsh chemicals. A more environmentally friendly option is to use baking soda and vinegar. Simply pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes before flushing with boiling water. This chemical reaction can dissolve grease and organic matter, causing slow drains. Consider following up with a plumbing pipe cleaner to protect the pipes.
- A plunger may do the trick if the clog is causing standing water in the sink. To avoid spreading germs, use a sink plunger rather than a toilet plunger. Wet the plunger, place it over the drain opening, and plunge vigorously with an up-and-down motion. The suction created can dislodge hair, food particles, and other debris trapped in the pipes.
- A wire coat hanger can act as an impromptu snake for stubborn clogs. Use pliers to form a small hook on the end and carefully wiggle it up and down the drain opening. This manual scraping may grab material obstructing flow. Take care not to force large objects more profoundly into the plumbing.
- A drain snake is a more purpose-built tool for tough clogs. Drain snakes, available at hardware stores, are flexible steel coils with ridges or fins that can grasp debris when inserted and rotated in the drain. Run the entire length of the snake through to clear any blockages farther down the line.
- A wet/dry vacuum, also called a shop vac, provides strong suction that can pull clogs up and out of the drain. Cover the vacuum hose end with your finger to create an airtight seal against the drain opening before turning it on and removing trapped material. Make sure to check the vacuum collection canister afterwards.
- As a licensed plumbing contractor, Aslan Plumbing offers professional plumbing services if DIY attempts don’t solve the problem. A technician can fully disassemble the P-trap under the sink and use specialized tools like rotary head snakes and high-powered water jet machines. They have the expertise and high-powered equipment to clear blockages deep within drain lines or due to tree root infiltration into cast iron waste pipes.
- If the drain is completely blocked and standing water is overflowing onto the countertops, do not attempt to use harsh chemicals or forceful tools that could further complicate the clog. This is a job for the professionals. Call Aslan Plumbing right away for emergency plumbing services. Our licensed drain cleaning technicians are available 24/7 to respond promptly with well-maintained trucks stocked with commercial-grade sewer cleaning equipment.
- Customers often try to retrieve valuable objects that accidentally fell down the drain before it’s too late. While it would be ideal to recover an expensive item, never put your hand inside an active garbage disposal or reach unquestioningly into drain pipes, which poses serious safety hazards. Let trained plumbers assess the situation using video camera inspections and specialized tools. Your well-being is far more critical than any replaceable household goods.
Choose the Best, Choose Aslan
With years of experience and a full menu of plumbing services, Aslan Plumbing can access clogs in any drain line throughout a home or business. Whether the job requires drain clearing, water heater repairs, sewer line inspections, toilet installations or other plumbing needs, we have the expertise, licensure and warranties to complete the task. Contact us today to schedule plumbing services, from routine maintenance to emergency unblocking. Your kitchen sink will be draining smoothly again in no time!
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