Fix a Slow Draining Kitchen Sink With Stuff Already In Your Pantry

Is your kitchen sink draining slower than molasses on a cold day? Do you find yourself staring impatiently at the sink as water ever so slowly trickles down the drain? A sluggish sink can make washing dishes a chore and leave your kitchen a soggy mess.

Before you reach for the phone to call an expensive plumber, know that many common household items already in your pantry can help unclog and speed up a slow drain. With a little DIY elbow grease, you can get your sink draining at full speed again.

Grease, Gunk, and Other Gunk Slows Sinks

Several common culprits cause kitchen sink drains to back up over time. Built-up grime, gunk, and sludge accumulates in pipes and restricts water flow. Some main causes include:

Oily, Greasy Residue

Grease, fats, and oils poured down the drain build up in pipes. Food particles then stick to these greasy walls, allowing layers of residue to form. The sludge eventually clogs drains. Hot water and soaps can also solidify greasy buildup.

Globs of Hair

Strands of hair wash down the drain with every shower and shave. This hair collects additional soap scum and debris. Over time, wads of hair get trapped and impede water.

Trapped Food in the Disposal

Food waste grinding down the garbage disposal can get jammed in the mechanism. pieces get lodged in the grinding disk or packed into the disposal chamber. Spinning blades seize up, and drains back up.

Mineral Deposits and Rust

Mineral deposits from hard water and rust flakes can accumulate along pipe walls. These materials restrict flow like plaque in arteries. These blockages lurk unseen down the drain.

Detecting the Drain Delay

Before treating a slow drain, it helps to diagnose where the problem lies. Here are some ways to check the status of your sink:

Peer Down the Drain

Remove the drain stopper and strainer. Shine a flashlight down the opening. Look for any hair, grease, food, or visible blockages. You may see the culprit clogging your drain.

Listen Closely

Turn on the faucet and listen. If you hear gurgling noises or the water trickles slowly, that indicates a partial clog. A completely plugged drain may cause water to overflow or back up.

Time the Drainage

Check how long it takes water to drain out of a full sink. Place a stopper in the sink and fill it halfway with water. Pull the stopper and start timing. If it takes longer than 60 seconds to empty, your drain is moving slower than it should.

Check Nearby Fixtures

If sinks, showers, and tubs all drain slowly, the clog may be in the main pipe. If it's just the kitchen, the clog is likely right in the sink trap.

Kitchen Cabinet Cures

Before calling in costly plumbing services, try these homemade drain cleaners using common household ingredients:

Baking Soda and Vinegar

This dynamic duo combines to break up organic gunk and grime. First, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with 1/2 cup vinegar and cover the drain. The chemical reaction bubbles away clogs.

Boiling Water

Heat liquefies grease and fat buildup. Boil a pot of water and carefully pour it slowly down the drain. Repeat as needed till the water flows quickly.

Plunge the Plunger

A sink plunger creates suction to dislodge clogs. Fill the sink halfway with water. Place the plunger tightly over the drain and plunge vigorously 15-20 times. Repeat until the blockage is removed.

Snaking it Out

Use a wire coat hanger to fish out debris. Unravel the hanger and straighten it. Gently insert it into the drain and snake up and down to hook hair, grease, and food scraps.

Prevent Future Blockages

Use drain catchers and filters to stop food and hair from washing down. Limit grease in the sink. Periodically flush drains with baking soda and vinegar to keep pipes clear.

If you've tried all the home remedies with no success, it may be time to bring in professional help. Plumbers have high-powered augers that can break through severe clogs. For sinks that keep clogging, a plumber can fully clean the pipes.

With common household items in your pantry, you can try to unclog that slow kitchen sink drain yourself. Follow these tips before reaching for the phone to get your sink flowing fast again.