Unclogging a Drain

If your kitchen sink drain has recently become stopped up, you may be curious about how to unclog it. If so, you'll be pleased to know that there are several simple, highly effective methods of unclogging kitchen sinks.

Tools You'll Need

1. Sink plunger
2. Wet rag
3. Hand auger
4. Bucket
5. Plumber's wrench
6. Scrub brush
7. Mild liquid soap

Step 1 - Run Some Hot Water

Before proceeding to plunge or snake your clogged kitchen sink drain, attempt to break up the source of your clog by running a steady stream of very hot water into your kitchen sink drain. If this fails to produce any results after 10 to 15 minutes, you will most likely need to plunge the drain. To prevent future clogs, allowing hot water to flow down the drain for several minutes a week. This will help dissolve and/or wash away clog-forming grime and grease before they have a chance to present a problem.

Step 2 - Plunge Your Sink Drain

If hot water failed to do the trick, you will need to plunge your clogged kitchen sink drain. Begin this step by using a wet rag to stop up the sink's overflow opening. This will ensure that all the force exerted by your sink plunger is concentrated on the source of the clog. Next, fill the sink with a small amount of water, firmly position the head of your sink plunger over the drain and proceed to give it a vigorous plunging. With any luck, the hot water from the first step will have provided the clog with some lubrication, enabling it to more easily be driven downward.

As plunging can often be a strenuous exercise, make sure to take a break whenever you feel yourself becoming winded. If plunging fails to produce any results after half an hour, you'll need to snake the drain.

Step 3 - Snake Your Sink Drain

If plunging proved unsuccessful, it's time to try a hand auger. Begin this step by carefully inserting the corkscrewed end of your auger into your clogged kitchen sink drain. Next, turn the auger's handle in a clockwise fashion to send the corkscrewed end further down the drain. Continue driving the auger downward until it becomes difficult to turn the handle. This typically means that you have come into contact with the source of the clog. If possible, continue to turn the handle and drive the corkscrewed end of the auger downward until it penetrates and breaks up the source of the clog. Once the clog has been successfully broken up, retract your auger by turning its handle in a counterclockwise fashion. Lastly, run some hot water down the drain to wash away any remaining pieces of the clog.

Step 4 - Remove Your Drain Trap

If all else fails, you will need to remove your kitchen sink drain trap. Begin this step by placing a bucket beneath the drain trap to catch the water that will flow out when it is removed. Next, use a plumber's wrench to carefully twist off the trap, then, once all excess water has been drained into the bucket, insert your hand auger into the space formerly occupied by your drain trap and proceed to locate and eradicate the source of the clog in the manner discussed in the previous step.

If your drain trap is dirty, you may want to clean it before proceeding to reattach it. To do this, soak the trap in a mixture of warm water and mild liquid soap, use a hard-bristled scrub brush or an expendable toothbrush to remove any caked-on grime, then rinse the solution off in warm water. If your drain trap is exceptionally filthy or rusted, you should consider replacing it.