Trying to unclog a kitchen sink can be an absolute nightmare. Not only can the clog block up your sink and cause damage to your pipes, but it might be so bad that you aren’t able to use your sink at all. If you find yourself in this situation and need plumbing services to unclog your sink so that you can once again resume your normal kitchen activities, here are a few solutions from a local plumber in Modesto, CA that you can try using common items that you probably already have in your home:
- Hot water flush: Most minor kitchen sink blockages can actually be cleared out with hot water. Boil some water and, while the water is heating up, remove as much of the standing water from the sink as you can with a bowl or pot. Once the water has boiled, pour it directly down the drain and wait until the water cools. If the hot water did not clear the drain the first time, try a couple more times until the entire blockage has been removed. If this still doesn’t work, try pouring some table salt down the drain, let it sit for a few minutes, then resume flushing the sink with the boiling hot water.
- Vinegar and baking soda: These two common household items are also very effective at clearing out clogged sinks. After you have removed the standing water, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain first. Then pour a cup of vinegar on top of the baking soda and let the mixture simmer. After the bubbling has subsided put the sink stopper in for 15 minutes, and then flush the mixture down with hot water.
- Try a plunger: Just as a plunger can clear a blockage in your toilet, it can do the same for your kitchen sink. Because you will need a vacuum-tight seal, leave enough standing water in the sink to cover the bottom of the plunger completely. If you have a double sink, you will also need to make sure the other side is stopped up. With the plunger over the drain, plunge aggressively until you hear the suction pop, indicating the clog has been cleared.
- Check the garbage disposal: You will also want to make sure your garbage disposal is clear and is not causing any issues. Without putting anything in it, run the disposal to determine if there are any clogs. If this does not work, you may need to reset the disposal by flipping the switch located underneath the sink before trying again.
If you find that you are still having issues after trying these blockage removal methods, you will need professional plumbing services in Modesto, CA. For all of your plumbing service needs, make sure you contact our team at Alvarado Plumbing Septic Service. We understand just how big of an inconvenience not being able to use your kitchen sink can be, which is why we will work quickly and efficiently to get your sink back in action right away. To schedule an appointment so that we can take a look at your kitchen sink, give us a call today.