- To avoid the use of any chemicals or tools, simple home remedies that use household items can often provide a remedy for different clogs in a stopped-up kitchen sink. To perform one effective home remedy, pour 1/2 cup to 1 cup of baking soda down the clogged sink drain. Follow this by adding 1 cup of white vinegar. Wait at least 30 minutes, and slowly pour a gallon of hot water into the sink drain, flushing everything through to clear the clog.
- If the clog is minor, a plunger may provide the suction needed to clear out the sink's drain pipe. To properly plunge the sink, fill it with enough water so that the rubber cup on the end of the plunger is underwater when you place the cup over the drain. If it is a double sink, stuff a wet rag down into the drain of the other sink before plunging. Forcefully work the plunger up and down approximately 12 to 20 times, and repeat if necessary.
- An auger, commonly called a plumbing snake, can be used if a plunger is ineffective. Clear out any items beneath the sink and place a bucket underneath the curved trap. Remove the trap, using a pipe wrench. Make certain that the clog is not located within the trap. Insert the auger cable into the section of pipe that runs into the wall and crank the auger handle clockwise, extending the cable through the pipe so that it latches onto, or breaks up, the clog.
- If you're using chemicals on a kitchen sink drain, protect yourself beforehand by putting on eye protection, such as goggles, and gloves. Read the product labels to be certain you are using the right ones for the particular clog, and carefully pour the chemicals into the drain. Avoid splashing any of the chemicals onto your skin. Do not mix chemicals, and be sure not to use an auger or a plunger on the sink after you have poured in chemicals. If you do this, you risk splashing the chemicals on yourself, your clothes and any other nearby items.
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