What To Do About The Kitchen Sink
A clogged sink drain can create a distinct smell that lingers from room to room. Old food or even paper napkins can end up clogging the pipes. Depending on the kitchen sink clog, professionals may not be necessary when homeowners use DIY drain cleaning methods.
Assuming there is nothing wrong with the fixture itself, most sinks can be fixed fairly easily. If the garbage disposal has been turned on with little or no results, this is a common indicator of a clog. If a sink clog is not properly removed, this problem is unlikely to resolve itself. Drain cleaning and drain clearing can help.
Tip #1: Try Boiling Water
Professional plumbers do not recommend drain cleaners that disintegrate clogs. Although it may eliminate the clog, this solution is powerful and toxic. Drain cleaner is not ideal for humans to absorb in the skin or breathe, and it can destroy underground pipes if used too many times.Boiling water is often the first tactic people use to destroy clogs. This method can be used for both kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks. Since no chemicals or additional ingredients are involved, it is a much safer way to unclog drains.
After boiling a kettle of water, homeowners should stand away from the sink as they pour it down the drain because steam can cause burns if an individual is too close to the vapor. By pouring boiling water slowly into the drain, it can dislodge light clogs that are low density.
Boiling water frequently works for clogs caused by soft foods. It is one way to quickly remove the blockage so additional food waste can pass. For larger clogs or clogs formed due to long-term build-up, this method may not be strong enough to resolve the issue.
Tip #2: Baking Soda and Vinegar
Solving a clog with baking soda and vinegar is one of the easiest methods available for homeowners. Specialized cleaning solutions bought over-the-counter can be used, but the only truly necessary ingredients are baking soda and vinegar.
Like school science experiments that used baking soda and vinegar to erupt a hand-crafted volcano, this combination of ingredients is highly interactive. When combined, baking soda and vinegar work to push out or disintegrate whatever is in its path.
The first step is to pour approximately half of 1 box of baking soda into the sink drain. It must be poured directly into the drain for this method to work. A cup of white vinegar should then be poured directly afterward. If the vinegar is not added in time, it may be less effective at destroying the kitchen clog.
Immediately adding boiling water to the mixture is not recommended. Instead, the homeowner is supposed to wait thirty minutes. After boiling the kettle, the water should be added slowly into the drain. Pouring a little bit of the water at a time and waiting a few minutes works best for large drain clogs.
Call Someone Who Knows
Unfortunately, boiling water with baking soda and vinegar is not ideal for all kitchen drain pipes. Plumbers do not usually recommend this practice for those with PVC pipes because it can damage PVC piping.
Extremely hot water can deteriorate the pipes even without baking soda and vinegar. Over time the temperature can cause cracks and leaks. Professional drain cleaning and kitchen plumbing is the most effective way to clear drains.
With professional help, the issue can be fixed on the same day. Drain snakes and environmentally friendly liquid solutions are efficient and safe if used by someone familiar with the process. Professional help will ensure that drain pipes stay intact for future use.
About Jim Wagner Plumbing, Inc.
Jim Wagner Plumbing, Inc. has experienced technicians who deliver on-time service and are available to call after hours, giving homeowners peace of mind in an emergency. Call Jim Wagner Plumbing, Inc. today for additional information about their services in Lombard, IL.
