Clogged Kitchen Sink Fix
Dealing with a clogged kitchen sink is never fun—especially when dishes are piling up and water won’t drain.
Before you reach for harsh chemicals or panic about a plumbing emergency, try these easy troubleshooting steps.
Here’s how to tackle a slow or completely clogged kitchen sink:
Before you reach for harsh chemicals or panic about a plumbing emergency, try these easy troubleshooting steps.
Here’s how to tackle a slow or completely clogged kitchen sink:
✅ Step 1: Check The Obvious First
• Is your sink just draining slowly, or is it completely backed up?
• If you have a double sink, check if both sides are affected.
If only one side is clogged, the issue might be closer to the drain or garbage disposal.
🧽 Note: Remove any standing water before starting the next steps—it’ll make everything easier and less messy.
• If you have a double sink, check if both sides are affected.
If only one side is clogged, the issue might be closer to the drain or garbage disposal.
🧽 Note: Remove any standing water before starting the next steps—it’ll make everything easier and less messy.
✅ Step 2: Try the Boiling Water Trick
• Bring a full kettle of water to a boil and slowly pour it down the drain in two or three stages, giving the water a few seconds to work each time.
• This method is especially effective for grease-related clogs.
⚠️ Be careful with this method if your pipes are PVC (boiling water can warp plastic over time).
• This method is especially effective for grease-related clogs.
⚠️ Be careful with this method if your pipes are PVC (boiling water can warp plastic over time).
✅ Step 3: Use Baking Soda & Vinegar
• Pour ½ cup of baking soda into the drain.
• Follow with 1 cup of white vinegar, then cover the drain with a stopper or wet cloth to keep the reaction below the surface.
• Wait 15–20 minutes, then flush with hot water.
🧪 This natural combo can help break down minor clogs without damaging your pipes.
• Follow with 1 cup of white vinegar, then cover the drain with a stopper or wet cloth to keep the reaction below the surface.
• Wait 15–20 minutes, then flush with hot water.
🧪 This natural combo can help break down minor clogs without damaging your pipes.
✅ Step 4: Check the Garbage Disposal (If You Have One)
• Make sure the garbage disposal isn’t jammed or clogged.
• Press the reset button (usually located at the bottom of the unit).
• Try turning the disposal on with cold water running to help clear any remaining debris.
⚙️ NEVER stick your hand into the disposal—use tongs or a wooden spoon if needed.
• Press the reset button (usually located at the bottom of the unit).
• Try turning the disposal on with cold water running to help clear any remaining debris.
⚙️ NEVER stick your hand into the disposal—use tongs or a wooden spoon if needed.
✅ Step 5: Use a Plunger
• Use a cup plunger (not the same one you use for the toilet) and place it over the drain.
• Fill the sink with enough water to cover the plunger base, then give several strong plunges.
• Check if the water starts to drain. If it does, run hot water for a minute or two to flush remaining debris.
💡 Pro Tip: If you have a double sink, seal the other drain with a cloth or stopper while plunging to get full pressure.
• Fill the sink with enough water to cover the plunger base, then give several strong plunges.
• Check if the water starts to drain. If it does, run hot water for a minute or two to flush remaining debris.
💡 Pro Tip: If you have a double sink, seal the other drain with a cloth or stopper while plunging to get full pressure.
✅ Step 6: Try Removing the Trap (For DIYers)
• Place a bucket under the P-trap (the curved pipe beneath your sink).
• Carefully unscrew the connectors and remove the trap.
• Clean out any gunk or buildup, then reassemble and run water to test the drain.
🛑 If you're not comfortable with this step, stop here and call a pro—we’re happy to help.
• Carefully unscrew the connectors and remove the trap.
• Clean out any gunk or buildup, then reassemble and run water to test the drain.
🛑 If you're not comfortable with this step, stop here and call a pro—we’re happy to help.
When To Call A Professional
If none of the above steps worked to clear your clogged kitchen sink, the clog might be deeper in your pipes or even in the main kitchen line.
Avoid using store-bought drain cleaners - they can damage your plumbing and don’t always solve the problem.
Persistent clogs, repeated backups, or foul odors can signal a bigger issue.
We handle tough kitchen clogs the right way—safely, quickly, and without damage to your plumbing system.
Whether it's a kitchen sink clog, a blocked garbage disposal, or a full drain line cleanout—we’ve got you covered.
Avoid using store-bought drain cleaners - they can damage your plumbing and don’t always solve the problem.
Persistent clogs, repeated backups, or foul odors can signal a bigger issue.
We handle tough kitchen clogs the right way—safely, quickly, and without damage to your plumbing system.
Whether it's a kitchen sink clog, a blocked garbage disposal, or a full drain line cleanout—we’ve got you covered.
📞 Don’t Wait—Call HI-FLO WATER AND SEWER Today!
Serving your neighborhood with trusted, professional plumbing solutions.
We’ll get your sink flowing again—fast.
We’ll get your sink flowing again—fast.
If you’re in need of a professional that can address your clogged kitchen sink, please do not hesitate to contact us via our contact form, directly via email or by phone at any time.
HI-FLO Water & Sewer