Repairing a clogged sink can be a DIY project if you’re comfortable with basic plumbing tasks. Here are some easy steps to successfully unclog a sink:
Boiling Water: Pour a large pot of boiling water slowly down the drain, hoping it loosens and breaks up the clog .
Baking Soda and Vinegar: Pour one cup of baking soda into the drain, then follow that with one cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then run the water and see if things cleared .
Plunging: If the side of the sink that has the disposal doesn’t drain, plunge it first to remove the clog or force it down the drain .
Drain Snake: Use a drain snake to penetrate and pull out the clog. For all-around use, the best drain snake is a 3/8-inch model that’s about 20 feet long .
Check the Garbage Disposal: One of the most common causes of a clogged drain is when the garbage disposal is clogged. Ensure it’s not causing the issue .
Avoid Fibrous Foods: Fibrous foods can jam the shredder plate in your garbage disposal and prevent water from draining from the appliance and the sink. Avoid putting fibrous foods down the disposal to prevent clogs .
Air Gap Issue: Ensure the air gap cylinder near the kitchen faucet is clean to prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the machine and causing drainage issues .
Blocked Drain Line Hose: Check the hose going from the appliance to the sink drain for clogs, especially if your filter is missing or broken, allowing food debris to enter the hose .