Having a clogged kitchen drain can be a major inconvenience. A drain is meant to move liquid, not an accumulation of wet, matted materials. Hair, grease, and fat are the main culprits of clogged drains. Grease, in particular, is hydrophobic. This means water slides off the grease when the grease and water touch one another. This can make unblocking a drain harder. To get your plumbing working again, use the following tips and guidelines for clog removal.
Start this task by pouring boiling water down the drain. Don’t add all the hot water at once. Pour a few cups at a time to allow the clog to unblock. Do this twice before trying another method. Next, make a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Combine approximately 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup baking soda. The interaction of these two substances will produce an immediate fizz. This production gas bubbles from liquid is what will help remove the hindrance in your drain. Slowly pour this mixture down the drain. Allow it to sit for a few hours. If this fails to clear your drain, try using a plunger.
To clear a drain using a plunger, place a wet towel over the overflow vent. If your sink has two basins, push a small part of a wet towel into the overflow vent of the basin you aren’t working on. This will keep water water from escaping. Pour enough water in the clogged basin to cover the head of a plunger. Smear a generous amount of petroleum jelly on the underside of the plunger’s lips.
Slowly slide the plunger down the side of the basin until it covers the drain opening. Firmly grasping the plunger’s stick, rapidly move the plunger up and down. These strikes will build up the pressure needed to move a blockage. Pull the plunger up quickly. Water should rush into the sink. If this does not happen, try this step again two or three times. After the third time, move on to another method like using a drain-and-trap auger (plumber’s snake).
A clogged drain is more than a nuisance. It can pose health risks to household occupants. Stagnant water mixed with grim and grease can be a breeding ground for diseases. When using hot water; a mixture of baking soda and vinegar; a plunger; and a drain-and-trap auger don’t work.
