A partial clog means you’re facing water splashed with toothpaste foam when you’re done brushing your teeth. Slow kitchen sink drains are frustrating, but they’re easy to fix. This happens when soap scum, hair, sticky styling products, and/or thick shaving cream build up on the drain walls. Keep in mind that commercial drain openers can irritate skin and eyes and even damage old plumbing, so don’t reach for them right away. Chemicals don’t usually need to be used to remove clogs,
Keep the Lid Clean
A sink stopper, a small raised metal device that plugs the bath or kitchen sink drain when drained, is located at the mouth of the drain and extends an inch or two into the pipe. Hair, soap, and other debris tend to get caught in it. The slow drain starts when this trapped ball of ick gets too big.
Sink lids can typically be removed by unscrewing them. On some sinks with more than 50 years old, a string holds the stopper. Here are the instructions for removing the plug from the latter type of sink:
- A small rod with a nut and clip is usually attached to the pipe under the sink, just where the sink connects to it.
- Squeeze the clip to release the rod,
- Paper towel or rag can be used to wipe off slimy hair and dirt from the cap.
Mud Melts
Sink drain pipes contain a slimy layer that narrows the opening and slows drainage. Here’s a simple way to remove debris from your hose using common household items.
- The bubbly, bubbly reaction between white vinegar and baking soda helps break up small clogs.
- The chemical reaction will not escape completely if the drain is blocked.
- Don’t hurry.
- Pour several cups of boiling water down the drain and let it run for several minutes to help get rid of any remaining slime.
Clean up the Debris
Using a small hair clog tool (sometimes called a “drain cleaning tool”), remove any accumulated debris from the drain walls if cleaning them does not resolve the problem.
Typically made of flexible plastic, these tools have a long shaft with a handle at one end and small prongs at the other end to grab hair and other debris caught in clogged sink drains (see example on Amazon).
Remove the plug from the drain, insert the plastic line, wiggling and lifting it frequently to clear out any debris connected to the drain. Continue lifting the blocks until you are unable to do so any longer.
Standard Kitchen Sink Drain Rough in Height
From the finished floor to the center of the drain, a standard kitchen sink drain rough in height should be 32-36 inches high. Make sure the drain system is working properly before installing the sink. Standard rough-in heights provide a convenient height for most users, depending on local codes and accessibility needs. In order for the kitchen sink to be functional and durable, the rough-in plumbing must be installed correctly.
Take a Plunger and Use It
A drain cleaning tool may not be able to reach the clog if it is further down the drain. It is possible to resolve this issue with a plunger. It is recommended that you:
- Put a small rag over the sink overflow hole to prevent it from overflowing.
- Plunge the sink drain using a cup-shaped sink plunger, not a toilet plunger, which has a flange for sealing the toilet bowl outlet.
- A sufficient amount of water should be added to the container to cover the plunger cup.
- As you plunge down the drain, make sure that you use short, quick strokes so that as much air as possible is lost.
- It should take no more than a few minutes for the water in the sink to drain if the clog has been removed.
Snake He
It’s time to get more aggressive if you’ve tried everything above and your sink still drains slowly. Check out our roundup of the best drain snakes available for this purpose (or pick up one at the home improvement store). With this steel cable, you can clear clogs out of reach of a sink cleaning tool or plunger. It extends from three feet to 25 feet and has a spiral lock on one end.
Insert the snake tip into the sink drain with the stopper removed. Replacing the snake periodically to clean out any buildup will keep it going down the tube. Don’t forget to keep a trash can nearby, because anything that comes out of the drain needs to go somewhere.
A clog can be caught by gently rocking the drain snake from side to side if you feel sink drain pipe leaking at connection. Take the snake out of the drain and rinse it with warm water once it’s limp again.
Make Sure the Trap’s Working
It is very likely that you will find a U-shaped bend in your sink’s pipe if you look underneath. It is the P-trap that is in charge of maintaining a small permanent pool of water to prevent sewer gas from backing into your house, but it is also a good place to collect loose change, ring fragments, debris, and even lost toys and games. . . .
- As a first step, you should turn off the water supply to your sink in order to clean your P-trap. If you are going to do this, you should also remove all of the items from under the sink. The dirty water should only be collected in one bucket placed directly under the P-trap so it will not overflow.
- It is usu/ally the case that the P-traps are attached to the curved pipe at both ends of the home through sliding nuts on each end. The majority of the time, they are made of plastic. But older homes may have some that are made of chrome. After loosening the slide nuts with your fingers or with the help of a wrench. Lift the section P off the pipe by turning them counterclockwise with your fingers.
- Remove any apparent blockages with gloves, a stiff brush.
Upon completion of the job, reconnect the plumbing, tighten the slide nuts securely, and give the water a good flush before you turn them on again.