Uh Oh! How to Fix a Double Sink with Drains Blocked Solid
It's a sinking feeling when you turn on the faucet and water starts accumulating in both basins of your double kitchen sink. No matter how many times you plunge, snake, or curse at the drains, they remain completely clogged with no water escaping down the pipes. Don't panic - even the most stubborn double sink clogs can usually be cleared with some perseverance and the right techniques.
With a strategic attack plan, you can get your sink draining freely again in no time.
Diagnosing the Source of the Double Sink Clog
Determining where the clog originates is an important first step before starting your drain-clearing crusade. Start by plugging one sink basin while leaving the other unplugged. Turn on both faucets to confirm which side drains slowly. If water starts accumulating in the unplugged basin as well, that indicates a deeper issue down the main pipe shared by both sinks.
Assessing If It's the Fixture or the Pipe
You'll also want to evaluate whether the clog is located in the sink basin itself or further down the drainage pipes. Try filling one basin with a few inches of water and quickly pulling out the plug. If the water doesn't drain at all, the clog is likely in that fixture trap. Sluggish draining means gunk deeper in the pipes is backing water up the drains.
Attempting DIY Double Sink Drain Unclogging Methods
Before you dial up a plumber, try taking a DIY diagnostic and treatment approach using common household items to get your double sink gurgling merrily again:
Supplies You'll Need
- Plunger
- Drain snake/auger
- Baking soda and vinegar
- Gloves
- Bucket
- Paper towels
Method 1: Plunging
Vigorously plunging a sink multiple times enables you to apply targeted pressure right to the clog. Follow this process:
- Fill the non-clogged sink with enough water to submerge the plunger cup.
- Force the plunger straight down while twisting slightly. Continue for 15 seconds.
- Lift the plunger to break the seal, allowing air into the pipes.
- Repeat the rapid plunge-lift motion another 10-15 times.
Still blocked? Try the other sink. The intense pulsating action should loosen or push the clog through the pipes. Add an extra squirt of dish soap to lubricate the pipes and help dislodge stuck-on gunk.
Method 2: Drain Snake
A flexible drain snake can grab and extract debris deeper inside your plumbing where a plunger can't reach. Slowly crank the snake into the opening while turning the handle. Kinks along the rod will latch onto the clog so it can be pulled out. You may need to repeat the snaking action several times.
Be patient and don't force the snake too roughly, or you could scratch the insides of the pipe. If one sink starts draining after snaking but the other doesn't, continue working from that side until the clog is cleared.
Method 3: Baking Soda and Vinegar
This classic DIY drain cleaner combo creates a chemical reaction that dismantles gunk like hair, grease, and soap residue. Here's how to mix up the simple ingredients:
- Pour 1 cup baking soda down the drain.
- Let sit for 5 minutes to coat the pipes.
- Pour 1 cup vinegar and leave for 15 minutes. The foaming reaction will help break down the clog.
- Rinse with hot water.
You can also alternate pouring boiling water down the drain in between the baking soda and vinegar treatments to help wash away loosened bits of the clog.
Method 4: Boiling Water
A simple kettle full of boiling water is hugely effective for melting slimy grease obstructions. Carefully pour down the drain in stages, letting it sit for a minute before adding more. The intense heat will dissolve debris and condense fat clogs. Follow up by flushing with cold water to harden the grease into smaller pieces that can wash away more freely.
Calling in the Pros: Professional Drain Cleaning Services
If you've tried every home remedy imaginable multiple times to no avail, accepting professional help may be your best course of action. Continuing to aggressively plunge and snake a severe clog can actually worsen pipe damage.
Signs It's Time to Call a Plumber
- Putrid sewer smells emanating from drains
- Visible corrosion or cracks around pipes
- Small leaks originating below the sink
- Previous amateur drain-clearing attempts failed
What Plumbers Bring to the Table
Experienced plumbers have an arsenal of super-powered tools at their disposal to annihilate the most stubborn clogs and restore your double sink to glory:
- Industrial drain augers that reach up to 100 feet down pipes
- High-pressure water jetting to scour pipe interiors
- Camera inspection to pinpoint trouble spots
- Hydrojetters that unleash intense water bursts
A professional assessment can also determine if your entire drainage system needs overhauling to stop future backups. You'll get helpful advice tailored to your unique sink setup on adding garbage disposals, updating pipe layouts, or installing protective hair catchers.
Preventing Repeat Double Sink Clogs
Clogs often recur unless measures are taken to change sink usage habits. Here are handy tips to stop drains getting re-blocked:
Only Put Drain-Safe Items Down Disposals
Improper garbage disposal use lets debris build up inside the unit, impeding drainage. Only add small amounts of soft foods at once while running water. Avoid hard items like egg shells, fruit pits, and rice.
Stay On Top of Maintenance
Monthly drain cleaner treatments help prevent accumulation and keep things flowing freely. For extra prevention, set a daily phone reminder to pour a small amount down each sink.
Hair, oil, grease, food scraps, and soap scum quickly amass when washed down drains. Start composting vegetable peelings instead of disposal use. Scrape plates directly into the trash and use sink strainers when washing dishes.
Remember to always run hot water when pouring fats and oils into containers for disposal rather than risk letting them solidify into pipe-clogging clumps.
You can get your kitchen cleaned up by attacking the double sink drainage. Don't hesitate to call in professional backup if you're unable to get water flowing freely again on your own with repeated attempts.