How To Clear a Clogged Kitchen Sink Drain | Flo Masters Plumbing & Drain

Is Your Kitchen Sink Drain Backing Up?

A clearing a clogged drain can feel like a defeating task, but in most cases it’s a simple fix. Many people prefer not to spend the cost associated with calling a plumber if they can, so I wanted to give you a few easy tips you can use before having to get a plumbing expert involved.

Most kitchen sink clogs can be resolved by using some simple techniques and tools.

First, remove any standing water in your sink. You can do this with a shop vac or paling the water out. This will allow you to see the drain and if any debris is blocking your sink drain. Sometimes clearing the waste by hand can fix the problem without any further action, but often the problem is deeper.
Check your garbage disposal. (If you have one)They can easily get blocked up with food. Before checking, make sure the power is off to the disposal. You can use a flashlight to look down the drain and try to determine if the blockage is occurring at the disposal and what is causing it. If there is a foreign object stuck in the blades and it’s something more substantial or valuable, such as jewelry, then you may need to call a plumber. If it is food, try breaking up the debris by manually turning the blades. The manual operator is normally at the bottom of the disposer and is operated with an Allen key. (Please refer to the disposer manual for full instructions.) You may use pliers to remove any loose food debris.
If your sink is still clogged, then you can try to use a plunger to unclog the sink drain.There are different types of plungers but you can use any that you have laying around.Run a few inches of water into the sink to help with suction and begin plunging. If you have a garbage disposer, try running it again afterward. Run water into the sink and if it drains okay, then you’re all set. If it doesn’t run down your drain smoothly, then you will have to try to plunge some more or try another method.
Check your P-trap for the built-up of debris. This is the elbow-shaped pipe under the sink. If this gets clogged with food and/or grease it can cause the drain to back up. You can take it apart and clean out the gunk that’s causing the blockage. (With this step you will need additional supplies to take the pipe apart and for putting it back together)

Before you start, make sure that you have a bucket placed under the P-trap to catch the water that is backed up in your sink. You will then need to unscrew the connections to the pipe and wall. Remove the P-trap and inspect it for debris. If the blockage is not in the P-trap, then you will need to try unblocking the drain with a plumbing snake and this may be when it’s time to call a plumbing expert.

Drain cleaners can cause damage and are not recommended EVER for your plumbing system. If the problem turns out not to be as simple as you had hoped, please call an expert to save you time and money in the long run.