(And 5 that actually don’t!)
Knowing exactly how to unblock kitchen sink drains when it really matters comes in extremely handy when the water has stopped draining and you’re starting to run out of dishes. Sure, the internet is chock-full of tips … but so many of them aren’t really looking to solve your problem. They’re just looking for clicks. And in many cases, trying them just makes the problem even worse.
So stop trying to sort out the good methods from the bad – and listen instead to the experience of actual plumbers who really do know what works and what doesn’t.
We’ve put together what we think are the top 5 methods that actually do work – and then we follow them up with 5 popular ones that really aren’t worth the effort at all.
Why kitchen sinks block up
But first, let’s get into why a blocked kitchen drain becomes a problem in the first place. Because that’s a pretty simple answer:
Grease.
No, we’re not talking about the John Travolta movie. We’re talking about all those fats and oils that go down the sink as warm liquid, then cool and harden on the inside of the pipe and then grab all that gunk and food scraps and coffee grounds. After a certain amount of time, even water can’t get through.
Then you’re dealing with a blocked kitchen drain.
Also, if you use a dishwasher, that just makes things worse. Because all of that gross dishes debris drains into the exact same pipe. Then, a sink blockage leaves water sitting in the bottom of the dishwasher too. A true kitchen nightmare.
And if you think you already know how to unblock a drain elsewhere in the house, you may be overlooking how different the kitchen sink really is. The usual culprit with blocked bathroom basins is an accumulation of hair, all dense and tangled and then collecting everything else that tries to go down there. Kitchen blockages, though, are all greasy and oily and super stubborn – so they need a slightly different approach.
5 Methods that actually work
With all that said, let’s get into the 5 methods that have a plumber’s thumbs-up and are definitely worth a try or two before calling out the pros.
Use this list by starting with #1, and working your way down as you get a little more desperate. But simply starting to learn how to unblock kitchen sink plumbing is a really important home skill that can save you a call-out or two over the years for many everyday blockages.
1. Hot water & dish soap
- Squirt a decent amount of dishwashing liquid straight into the drain
- Follow it up with a full kettle of hot water that’s just off the boil.
How does it work?
The soap breaks down the grease and then the heat softens it, which is often enough to clear a slow drain.
Just avoid pouring water into your drain straight from a full boil – the intense heat can soften plastic pipe joints.
2. A sink plunger
Ah, the classic plunger.
Ideally, grab a small, cup-type plunger, and then follow these steps.
- Fill the sink with a few centimetres of water
- Block the second bowl’s plughole with a wet cloth
- Plunge firmly up and down about a dozen times at least.
Blocking the other plughole is the step most people miss, and without it the pressure simply escapes, and the suction effect can be lost entirely.
Once the water starts to drain, follow up with more hot water to flush the loosened gunk away.
3. Clean out the trap
Ok, this one is a bit more involved, but if you’re even half-handy, you should be able to handle it.
The trap is the bend in the pipe under your sink – and it’s exactly where a lot of the gunk collects.
- Put a bucket underneath
- Unscrew the trap by hand
- Clean it out
- Screw it back on firmly.
Sounds simple, but don’t give up if it feels more difficult than it should. That’s plumbing for you – all reasonably simple, but these things do require a bit of perseverance and practice.
It’s a messy job too, but the upside is that it often solves the problem completely. Make sure to wear gloves, and check that the trap’s rubber washer is sitting properly when you put it back together, or it may leak – producing an even messier problem!
4. Use a drain snake
If the blockage is further down the pipe, a hand-held drain snake may be able to reach it.
- Feed it into the drain
- Turn the handle to break up or hook the clog
- Pull it back slowly.
If you’ve been wondering how to unblock kitchen sink drain pipes beyond the trap, this is probably the most reliable DIY option of all.
5. Call in a plumber with a jetter
When all else fails, you can always call your friendly licensed blocked drain plumber.
High-pressure water jetting is a go-to pro method for properly clearing the full width of the pipe – scouring away the grease that causes blockages in the first place.
Yes, it’s the most thorough fix. And yes, it will probably keeps the drain clear for a lot longer than anything else.
5 Methods that actually don’t work (So don’t bother)
So, before you figure out how to unblock the kitchen sink with something you saw online, we’ve compiled the 5 admittedly popular online tricks that actually hardly ever live up to the hype:
1. Baking soda & vinegar
Sure, we promote it from time to time. And that fizz really is impressive, making you think something is definitely happening.
But all too often, the reaction is so weak that it doesn’t stand an ice cube’s chance in hell to actually clear a true grease blockage.
The upside is that it might freshen the drain a little – but it probably won’t clear a serious clog.
2. Chemical drain cleaners
Harsh chemical cleaners seem like a good idea, but it’s usually not even close to enough to clear thick grease. They can even damage older pipes and cause nasty burns if they splash back. And then, if you need a plumber afterwards, they also leave dangerous chemicals sitting in the pipe for whoever is unlucky enough to open it next.
Plunging after using a chemical cleaner is risky too, since it can splash back at you.
We don’t really recommend it … at all!
3. Coke (Coca-Cola)
A cold Coca-Cola, otherwise known as Coke, is so lovely on a hot day when you’re feeling a little heat-exposed. But on your kitchen sink? Probably a total waste of an otherwise refreshing drink.
The idea is that the acid in the cola chews through the blockage. In reality, it’s far too weak to make any difference at all.
You’ll just be left with a sticky sink. And you’ve wasted a perfectly good Coke.
4. Salt & hot water
Salt is sometimes pitched as a natural scrub for the pipes.
But, yeah, don’t bother. Like Coke, it simply doesn’t have the power to break down hardened grease. The blockage will just stay exactly where it is.
5. Running the tap harder
The one that made us LOL the loudest was that just blasting the tap can push the blockage through. Simple! Ingenious!
Don’t bother. It’s going to do … nothing. Except waste water.
When to call a plumber
But don’t be disheartened. Some blockages are simply beyond a simple DIY fix.
Think the time has simply come to call in a professional? You’re right in these cases:
- The sink blocks again within a few days of clearing it
- Water backs up into the other bowl or the dishwasher
- Other drains in the house are draining slowly too
- You can hear gurgling from nearby drains
- There’s a bad smell that won’t go away.
How to keep your kitchen sink flowing
At the end of the day, sometimes you just need to call a plumber. But while they are doing their professional thing, contemplate these few super-easy habits that really can help stop blockages from coming back:
- Wipe greasy pans with paper towel before washing them
- Scrape food scraps into the bin
- Fit a sink strainer to catch scraps
- Run hot water for a minute after washing up.
Sure, they don’t do much in the moment. But, over time, you could actually avoid a blocked kitchen sink entirely. For good!
Need help with your stubborn blockage?
If you’ve tried to learn how to unblock a kitchen sink and it didn’t work, don’t be disheartened. Sometimes, that sink simply won’t clear, no matter what you try.
But Static Plumbing can help.
Our fully licensed plumbers use all the best professional methods, including CCTV drain cameras that will pinpoint the cause. High-pressure jetters will usually then clear it properly, all across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. And if those pro tricks don’t clear it, we’ll think a little harder and implement the fixes and repairs that will get your home back to full functionality immediately.
You’ll get an upfront price before any work begins and a 12 month workmanship warranty – extended to lifetime for Static Members. Call our Brisbane or Sunshine Coast teams – or conveniently book online.
