Kitchen Drain Clogged? We Can Help

The kitchen sink is one of the least convenient places to have a clog. It can render your sink unusable, which can make it difficult to wash dishes and prepare meals. Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can tackle pesky blockages on your own.

When your kitchen sink is clogged up, it’s important to act quickly. Try these techniques before you call a plumber.

Garburator Is Clogged

If you have a garburator, that’s the first thing to check when the sink stops draining. Here’s how to get your garburator going again:

1. Carefully pull any debris out of the garburator.
2. Find and press the reset button on the side or bottom of the unit.
3. Find the small opening at the bottom of the unit. Use an Allen wrench to turn the gears and force the disposal to grind through food bits lodged inside the blades.
4. Turn the hot water on full blast and run the garburator to grind up remaining food particles.

If this doesn’t fix your issue, you may need new equipment. Call Mr. Rooter® Plumbing for garburator repair and replacement services.

Clogged Kitchen Sinks

If you don’t have a garburator, or if your garburator doesn’t seem to be the problem, it’s time to look at the pipes.

Here are some simple DIY steps for resolving clogged kitchen sink drains:

• Pour a kettle of boiling water directly into the drain.
• Use a sink plunger to loosen the debris creating the clog. In a double sink, cover the second drain opening while plunging.
• Remove the P-trap under the sink, check it for a clog, and remove any obstructions before reinstalling the pipe.

If none of these steps get your kitchen sink flowing again, contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing for professional help or call us directly at (855) 591-0128.

Preventing Kitchen Sink Clogs

You may not have known that your kitchen habits can damage your plumbing system. A majority of kitchen drain clogs can easily be prevented.

Follow these simple tips to avoid a clogged kitchen sink in the future:

• If you have a garburator, run it with hot water at least once a day.
• Never put bones, potato or cucumber peels, egg shells, coffee grounds, fish skins, or fruit rinds in the garburator.
• Don’t pour cooking fats or grease down the drain. Allow it to harden and dispose of it in the trash. Or pour off the hot grease into a can or butter container, diverting it from your kitchen sink.
• Use an enzyme-based drain cleaner each month to prevent buildup inside all your drainpipes.
• Use a food catcher in your kitchen sink. This wire mesh device sits over your drain opening and catches food before it goes down your pipes. When it fills up, just empty it into the trash.

Get Expert Help for Stubborn Kitchen Clogs

Need professional assistance with a tough kitchen clog? Mr. Rooter Plumbing helps homeowners with a wide range of plumbing issues, including clogged kitchen drains. When you find your kitchen drain clogged up, schedule an appointment online or call us directly at (855) 591-0128.