Have a Clogged Kitchen Sink?
Nothing is more frustrating than a clogged kitchen sink full of dirty water when you are trying to wash the dishes after dinner. Don't be so fast to reach for your phone and call up your local Utah plumbing company. First, check to see if you can fix it yourself (and save some money!) with the DIY tips we have listed below. Sometimes, however, plumbing issues are more complicated than the average homeowner can handle. Fortunately, the plumbers and drain experts of Any Hour Services are here to step in when that happens. We promise to unclog any drain, no matter the reason for the backup.
It's important to note that there is a difference between a mild backup and an emergency clog. If your clogged kitchen sink is flooding all over the floor or smells strongly like sewage, you have a plumbing emergency on your hands. Any Hour has emergency plumbers on staff, so don't hesitate to call us at any hour of the day.
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DIY Tips for Unclogging Your Kitchen Sink
Inspect the Garbage Disposal
While garbage disposals are highly convenient, they are usually the first cause of a backup. If your sink is suddenly not draining properly, switch on the garbage disposal to break up any food waste. If you hear a low humming noise and the disposal is not working properly, it is probably jammed with food (or a foreign object). To inspect the disposal, start with turning the power OFF and never (we mean never) stick your hand inside. You may be able to see what the blockage is with a flashlight and you can remove it with tongs. If that doesn't work, try pressing the reset button on the bottom of the garbage disposal.
Drain Snake or Wire Hanger
Garbage disposal is working fine but you still have a clog? The blockage could be further down the drain. If you have a drain snake on hand then you can use it to pull out the blockage. No drain snake? Make one from a wire hanger! You'll need to bend it to the proper shape and hold the other end firmly once you insert it into the drain.
Plunger
Sometimes not even a drain snake can reach the blockage and that is when a sink plunger comes in handy (please don't use your toilet plunger!). Place the plunger over the drain opening and fill the sink with enough water to just cover the plunger. If you have a double basin sink, use the plunger on the side that is clogged and put a stopper in the drain of the other basin. Quickly pump the plunger up and down about ten to 15 times. This should effectively dislodge any blockage that is deep in your drain. But be careful! Putting too much pressure into the drain might cause something under the sink to become disconnected and leak water into the cabinet.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Sometimes a clogged kitchen sink is not caused by a direct blockage but rather by a buildup of grease and grime on the pipe walls. If none of the above tricks work, this could be the case for your slow draining kitchen sink. Before calling up a plumber near you, try the baking soda and vinegar trick! Pour half a cup of each down your drain and wait ten minutes or so - you may see some foam bubbling up over the drain. This should break down any grimey residue lining the inside of the drain and pipe. The next step is to pour boiling water down the drain and flush the sludge away! Your drain should flow normally (and probably smell much nicer).
Check the P Trap
The P Trap is the U shaped section of pipe under your kitchen sink that collects debris and keeps sewer gasses from rising up the drain. Sometimes debris or foreign objects can get lodged in this section and cause a kitchen sink clog. You can easily remove them by unscrewing this section of pipe and pulling them out by hand. Before you start, cut off the water supply to your sink. We also recommend a pair of gloves!
Call a Professional
If you are still having trouble with your kitchen sink draining properly after trying the above tricks, it's time to call a professional plumber. If you live in an older home, it's likely that your pipes are in need of professional cleaning. Any Hour offers a kitchen sink hydro jetting service that will have your pipes flowing like they are brand new!
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No matter the issue, the plumbers of Any Hour Services in Utah can unclog any drain. Don't let a clogged kitchen sink drive you crazy! Instead, call on our experienced and professional team. We have the tools and plumbing technology necessary to handle all your drain needs. Our fair pricing, expert knowledge and friendly customer service makes us the plumber near you that you can count on.
If you still have questions or would like to schedule your drain cleaning service, give us a call and let us know how we can help.