Why is my kitchen sink backing up?

The question that no homeowner wants to ask, but one that is unfortunately very common. Kitchen sink clogs can happen for a number of reasons – but they’re most often due to a buildup of food residue, grease, soap scum and other debris collecting in the drain.

When your kitchen sink is clogged, you may notice standing water collecting in the basin, or it is slow draining. This can be very inconvenient – especially when there’s last night’s dishes to do! However, the good news is that there are several methods of unclogging a kitchen sink that you can try before calling a plumber. Keep reading to learn about the best ways to unclog a kitchen sink.

Before you attempt to fix your backed up kitchen sink, the first thing you should do is check the drain strainer. Remove it, look for any food or gunk, then clean it off thoroughly to make sure it isn’t causing your clog.

How do you unclog a kitchen sink with a garbage disposal?

If you have a clogged kitchen sink with a garbage disposal, it’s a good idea to first switch on the disposal to make sure there’s no food or debris hanging out in the drain from the night before. Turn on the disposal and run the faucet. You may need to restart the appliance to get it working again.

If you are experiencing problems with your garbage disposal and you suspect that this is the source of the blockage, check out our blog on How To Unclog A Garbage Disposal for some guidance. Otherwise, keep reading for advice on how to tackle your kitchen sink drain clog.

How to unclog a kitchen sink with a plunger

Plunging your kitchen sink is a good first port of call. Here’s how to use a plunger on your backed up kitchen sink:

1. Partially fill the sink with water if it isn’t already filled.
2. Place the plunger over the kitchen sink drain, then push the plunger down and up several times before quickly pulling it off the drain opening.
3. Remove the plunger from the sink and see if the water drains away from the basin.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 again if you notice any improvement, otherwise you’ll need to try another method.

Tip: If you have a double-bowl kitchen sink, stuff a wet rag into the drain opening that isn’t clogged. This will help with suction so that the plunger can do its job more effectively.

Home remedies to unclog a kitchen sink

If a plunger hasn’t done the trick, you can also try a home remedy for your clogged kitchen sink. Below are some easy DIY methods for a simple and effective clog-busting solution:

Using boiling as a kitchen sink clog remover

1. Fill a large pot or kettle with water and bring it to a rolling boil.
2. Make sure any standing water has drained from the sink, then slowly pour the boiling water into the drain opening. Do this in stages if the sink fills up again.
3. Check the function of the drain, and repeat these steps again if necessary.

Note: Do not use this method for PVC pipes or on a garbage disposal drain as this could soften or damage the material and cause leaks.

Unclogging a kitchen sink with vinegar and baking soda

1. Allow any standing water to drain from the kitchen sink.
2. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar.
3. Put the stopper in the drain and let the solution sit for 15-30 minutes.
4. Run warm water through the drain to clear the mixture – and hopefully the clog – from your kitchen sink.
5. If you notice some improvement but the sink is still draining more slowly than normal, repeat the method again. If this solution hasn’t worked to clear your kitchen sink clog, then it’s time to try another method.

Using a snake to unclog a kitchen sink

Fixing a deeper clog requires a more technical approach. That’s where the drain snake comes in. You can buy a snake or auger at your local hardware store, or order one online (depending on the urgency of your kitchen sink clog!). Unclogging a kitchen sink with a snake involves a more advanced technique, but it’s easy to master if you follow this method step-by-step.

1. Firstly, you’ll need to remove the P-trap (the U-shaped pipe located underneath the kitchen sink). To do this, you’ll need a wrench or screwdriver – depending on the kind of attachment. Make sure you place a bucket underneath the trap to catch any water that may escape.
2. Once you’ve removed the P-trap, give it a good rinse and check it for any food buildup or blockages. If there’s a clog in there – then great, you’ve found the cause of the trouble. If not, the kitchen sink is clogged past the trap and you’ll need to move onto step 3.

3. Insert the snake into the pipe opening where the P-trap has been removed. Crank the snake’s handle to feed more of the cable into the drain until you feel resistance (the pesky clog!).

4. Twist the snake to break up the clog. Continue to do this until you no longer feel any resistance in the pipe.
5. Slowly pull the snake out, dispose of the clog and clean off any remaining debris.
6. Re-attach the P-trap and run water through the drain to check for leaks. If you have cleared the kitchen sink clog successfully, water should drain normally from the sink. If not, there could be a clog much deeper in the plumbing which will require professional assistance.

Tip: You can also use a wire hanger in the place of a snake if you don’t have one. You’ll need to carefully cut the wire with pliers and shape it into a hook for the best chance of scooping out that clog.

Fixing a clogged kitchen sink with Drano^®

For stubborn kitchen sink drain clogs, you can also use Drano^® products. If your sink doesn’t have a garbage disposal, we’d recommend using Drano^® Kitchen Granules Clog Remover. The granules create heat inside your drain to melt and dislodge blockages, which works especially well for grease clogs. Here’s how to fix a clogged kitchen sink with Drano®:

1. Clear any standing water from your kitchen sink.
2. Pour 3 heaped tablespoons of Drano^® Kitchen Granules into the drain.
3. Follow this immediately with 2 cups of hot water (not boiling).
4. Let the product work for 15 minutes.
5. Flush the drain thoroughly with cold water.
6. Repeat the process again if required. If this method has not unclogged the drain after a second use, consult a plumber.

For a clogged kitchen sink with a garbage disposal, we’d recommend using Drano^® Max Gel Clog Remover or Drano^® Dual-Force Foamer Clog Remover. These products work better for kitchen sinks with standing water, as well as soap scum clogs and combatting a smelly sink drain. You can learn more about how to fix a smelly kitchen sink here.

Here’s some tips on how to keep a clogged kitchen sink at bay and ensure you’re never standing around struggling with standing water again!:

• If your sink has a garbage disposal, make sure to avoid throwing the wrong food waste in there. This includes fats and oils, coffee granules, eggshells and stringy vegetables, which cause more clogs than other foods.
• Use a homemade drain cleaner once every few weeks. Baking soda and vinegar works well for this.
• For sinks without garbage disposals, use a tablespoon of Drano^® Kitchen Granules once a week to prevent grease buildup.

We hope that you’ve found these tips on how to unclog a kitchen sink useful. Remember, if home methods aren’t enough to bust through a clog, it’s always best to seek a plumber’s help. Browse more clog busting advice and discover the full range of Drano^® products to ensure that you’re prepared for when everyday clogs happen.