A blocked kitchen drain is one of the more common blockages people face and are actually easy to handle. Most times a kitchen sink can be unblocked by utilising few and easy to get items. Blocked sinks should be dealt with as soon as possible to prevent plumbing and health risks from developing. Optimised Plumbing Services are experts at Blocked Drain issues and will help any person professionally clear clogged kitchen sinks.
The best ways to clear a blocked kitchen drain is by either:
- Pouring boiling water down the drain
- Mixing and pouring baking soda with white vinegar
- Using a flat-bottomed plunger
- Cleaning the P-trap
- Utilising a plumber’s snake tool
How Do I Unblock a Kitchen Drain?
There are many methods to unclog a kitchen sink that are effective, cheap and do not take too long. These methods will be more effective depending on what is causing the clogged drain and how much blockage there is.
Boiling Water
Pouring boiling water down the drain is an effective and easy way to clear a blocked kitchen drain. It is also a great starting point before other kitchen drain blockage removal methods as it loosens the blockages. The correct way to perform this sink drain clog clearing task with boiling water is to:
- Pour two litres of boiling water down the drain via the drain opening. If the drain connects to any PVC pipes do not pour the boiling water as it could melt these pipes.
- Test if the method was effective by running water from the tap down the sink. If the water drains slowly, stagnant or back flowing then perform the boiling water approach again.
If the boiling water did not completely resolve the blockage in the sink then other methods should be utilised. Boiling water is also an effective way to prepare the pipes and make it easier to clear the blockage.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
This is a natural method when it comes to drain cleaners and tackling kitchen sink clogs. It needs only two items, baking soda and white vinegar, to dissolve blockages and clear kitchen sinks. The safest and most effective way to carry out this blocked kitchen drain cleaning task is to:
- Remove any standing water which is in the sink by using a bowl or cup.
- Pour one cup of baking soda into the kitchen sink drain.
- Follow this by pouring one cup of vinegar into the sink through the drain opening.
- Make sure to place the cover or stopper over the drain to seal it correctly.
- Wait 15 minutes for the mixture to work then remove the cover and run hot water from the tap down the drain.
- If needed, have boiling water poured into the drain after this method if the clog is extremely tough. Or perform the process twice if needed if the baking soda mixed with vinegar is working successfully.
Plunger
Plungers are an effective way to remove clogs from inside kitchen sinks if it appeals as the most efficient method. When the kitchen sink is blocked and water does not flow down the sink from the clog then plungers are useful. Ensure to utilise a flat-bottomed plunger over a standard toilet plunger as they are designed specifically for sinks. The best way to use a plunger on a blocked kitchen drain is to:
- Fill the sink halfway with hot water to create a seal over and around the drain.
- Place the plunger over the drain and utilise the plunger by performing quick up and down movements.
- Remove the plunger from the sink and look to see if the water in the sink drains.
- Keep plunging until the water properly drains, and if it does not, then another method may be needed.
Cleaning P-Trap
The P-trap is under the sink and might be where the blockage is located. When this happens water can easily drain slowly or not flow at all from the P-trap clog. If the P-trap has the blockage then follow these steps:
- This method can become messy so ensure gloves are worn and towels are placed on the floor.
- Place a bucket underneath the P-trap to catch any water or substances which fall out of the pipe.
- Remove the P-trap by unscrewing the connectors and parts which connect the piece to the other pies.
- Take out the P-trap, clean out any clogs or debris and reconnect the P-trap.
- Test to see if the P-trap blockage removal was successful by running water down the sink.
If water has flowed back or is not flowing properly then the blockage could be deeper inside the kitchen drain.
Plumber’s Snake
A plumber’s drain snake is a tool that is designed to enter the plumbing and break down difficult blockages. This tool enters the piping system and when it is obstructed or stopped then it will spin to remove any debris. If this too is not available a wire coat hanger can be an alternative option. The long piece of wire with a hook at the end can grab debris and break through.
To use either the plumber’s snake or the wire coat hanger access the pipe from under the sink. Slowly enter the tool and when the tool cannot go any further then a blockage could be found. Remove the debris, reconnect the pipe and test to see if the clog was removed properly.
What Happens if I Cannot Unblock the Kitchen Drain?
When no methods have worked in resolving a blocked kitchen drain then calling a plumber is the best method to take. Here at Optimised Plumbing Services, our fully qualified plumbers have over 20 years of experience working on clearing all different types of blocked drains. We will know exactly how to find the blockage and the best tools and techniques to correctly clear the drain.
Our team works all over Sydney, from the Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs to Sutherland Shire, in clearing blocked kitchen sinks. We also offer Emergency Plumber services where we can clear drains in any location at any time of the day.
For the best blocked kitchen drain services in Sydney – contact Optimised Plumbing Services on 02 8074 1475!
