It can be a helpless feeling when the kitchen sink won’t drain. With water backing up and a counter full of dirty dishes waiting to be cleaned, it may be tempting to reach for the phone and dial the plumber. Before you do, read these easy, do-it-yourself ways to unclog that drain.
Boiling water
This is the easiest and least
expensive solution of all, which makes it the best one to try first. Place a
kettle or pot of water on the stove and bring to a rolling boil. While you’re
waiting for the water to heat, remove as much standing water from the sink as
you can, using a mug or small pot to bail out the water.
Then, pour the entire kettle of
water into the sink and wait. If the water stands in the sink and the clog
doesn’t move, give the water time to cool and remove it to try again. You may
need to repeat the process several times to move the clog, but this often works
on many types of stoppage.
Disposal
Check to make sure it’s not your
garbage disposal that's causing the problem. A clogged disposal can stop up the
drain
cleaning in Northridge, so run the disposal to see if that clears the
clog. Then inspect it to make sure it’s running correctly. If the disposal has
overheated, you may need to flip the switch found on the side or bottom of the
unit underneath the sink.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Again, remove standing water
first. Pour about a cup or so of baking soda into the drain, followed by an
equal amount of white or apple cider vinegar. The solution will bubble, but
when they subside, put the stopper in and wait about 15 minutes. Next, run hot
water to see if the clog clears. Repeat if needed.
Salt and boiling water
After removing standing water
from the sink, pour about ½ cup of table salt down the drain before you pour in
the boiling water. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then flush with hot water
to clear the mixture.
Plunger
If these combinations aren’t
successful in drain
cleaning in Chatsworth, reach for a common household plunger. If you
have a double sink, first seal off the second side with a wet cloth or a
stopper. You’ll need to create a tight seal around the plunger, so fill the
side of the sink you intend to plunge with enough water to cover the bell of
the plunger. Place the plunger firmly over the drain and plunge vigorously
several times. When you hear the suction clear the clog, remove the plunger and
flush the drain well with warm water.
Baking soda and salt
This is another combination that
can work on sink clogs. Mix about a cup of baking soda with a half-cup of salt,
and pour down the drain. Let the mixture sit for several hours, then flush with
boiling water. You can repeat this process if it doesn’t work the first time.
