how do you unclog a p trap in a kitchen sink

This is how to clean a P-trap using baking soda, vinegar and boiling water:

• Drain standing water. ...
• Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, slowly followed by another cup of vinegar.
• Wait for about 15 minutes for the solution to work out its magic.
• Boil about a gallon or more of water.
• Pour the hot water down the drain.

Full Answer

How do you unclog a kitchen sink naturally?

How to unclog a sink drain successfully, with or without a plunger

1. Use soda crystals. Soda crystals (available from Amazon) are great for all kinds of cleaning jobs – from smelly washing machines to drains.
2. Use a sink unblocking product. If your sink is lazy, with water taking a while to go down the drain, and especially if you're dealing with a bathroom sink ...
3. Unscrew the U-bend and clean the pipe manually. ...

More items...

How to replace a sink trap?

Instructions

• Remove the Trap Bend. Remove the old trap bend (the curved piece) by unthreading the slip nut at both ends of the bend. ...
• Remove the Trap Arm. Remove the trap arm by loosening the slip nut securing it to the drain pipe in the wall and pulling the arm straight out.
• Test-Fit the New Trap. ...
• Position the Nuts and Washers. ...
• Assemble the Parts. ...
• Test the Fittings

How do you fix a clogged kitchen sink?

• If your sink is a double-drain variety, plug up the drain on the unclogged side of the sink. ...
• Place the plunger straight down over the clogged drain so that air won’t escape out of the plunger during the process. ...
• Push the plunger up and down firmly until the water starts to drain.

More items...

How to unclog a kitchen sink with standing water?

Ways To Unclog A Double Kitchen Sink With Standing Water

• Hot Water. If you have been struggling with your monthly budgets and would like to solve the clogging issue with zero expense, water can be your aide!
• Plunger. You can use a plunger as well to remove the floating water. ...
• Check Trap. ...
• Plumber’s Snake. ...
• Baking Soda And Vinegar. ...
• Baking Soda And Salt. ...

How do you unclog a P-trap in a kitchen sink?

Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog your drain, Then take out the drain cover and run hot tap water down the drain to clear the clog.

How do I know if my P-trap is clogged?

Signs your P-trap may be blockedYour drain isn't clearing after you've done everything to clear the clogged drain. ... You smell a foul odor throughout your home. ... You hear a gurgling noise from the sink or tub.The water in your toilet seems weak, and the bowl isn't refilling quickly enough after a flush.

Why is my P-trap not draining?

Clean the P-trap. If the water is still not draining correctly, there might be a blockage in the P-trap, aka the elbow-shaped pipe under your sink. Food, grease and other debris may be stuck in the pipe, causing your sink to drain slowly or not at all because the water hits a snag on its way down.

How do you fix a slow draining kitchen sink?

Pour a half cup of baking soda down your drain followed by a half cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz and bubble for five to ten minutes or so. Then, carefully pour the pot or kettle full of boiling water down the drain. Turn the faucet on and see if it's draining faster.

Where is the P-trap in kitchen sink?

Also known as a “P-trap,” a sink trap is a curved length of pipe located below the drain. If you follow the drain pipe from the bottom of the drain to the wall, this bend should be relatively in the middle, underneath the sink.

What do p-traps look like?

0:102:24How Do P-Traps Work? | Spec. Sense - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you notice a lot of extra piping under your sink then you're looking at the p-trap. Key traps areMoreIf you notice a lot of extra piping under your sink then you're looking at the p-trap. Key traps are named after their shape.

Why is my kitchen sink still clogged after snake?

If your snake isn't unclogging your drains, it could be because the thumbscrew is loose, the clog is too severe, or the auger is dirty. Or maybe you just need a refresher on how to use a drain snake. A drain auger (snake) is a simple, inexpensive necessity for every homeowner.

How do you unclog a sink with standing water?

First, remove all stagnant water from the sink. Replace it with hot water until it is halfway full, and it generates a seal around your drain. Place the sink plunger over the drain and start pumping up and down swiftly. Remove the plunger, observe if the water flows, and repeat the procedure until water flows freely.

How do you unclog a pipe after P-trap?

Clean the DrainAfter the drain is open, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the drain. Cover both openings and let it sit for a few minutes.Then run another gallon or so of warm water behind it to flush out the mixture. ... Reinstall the P-trap and run water to test the drain.

What causes a kitchen sink to drain slowly?

Most slow-draining sinks are caused by buildup of everyday materials. In a bathroom, most sink drains are clogged by a combination of hair, soap, toothpaste and other debris. While in the kitchen, the clogs are usually the culprit of food particles.

Can I use Drano for kitchen sink?

You can use Drano® Clog Removers to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or clogged bathtub, but DO NOT use them in toilets. For clogged or slow-running drains, apply the product and let it work 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. For tough problems, allow 30 minutes before flushing.

Why is my sink not draining but not clogged?

A slow drain indicates an issue is present, so if it's not a clog in the sink, it could be an issue with your sewer line. Leaving the problem unattended could lead to more serious problems, so consult a plumber to get the problem resolved.

How do you fix a slow draining sink with two ingredients?

Baking soda and vinegar Right after, follow the water with 1/2 cup of baking soda and leave for 5 minutes. Then, pour a cup of vinegar into the drain and let sit for 20 minutes. You hear a fizzing sound because mixing the two ingredients creates a noticeable chemical reaction.

How do I make my kitchen sink drain faster?

Pouring boiling water down your drain really is as simple as it sounds. Bring a half gallon of water to a boil, pour the boiling water directly into the drain, wait for 1-3 minutes, then turn on the faucet to check water flow. If you need the sink to drain even faster, repeat the process.

Does baking soda and vinegar unclog sinks?

The bubbling reaction from the baking soda and vinegar helps to loosen the drain clog, and the boiling water in step 4 helps remove it from your pipes. Baking soda and vinegar can serve as a natural drain cleaner.

Can white vinegar clear a drain?

If you suspect a grease clog, a mixture of very hot water and vinegar can also help melt and remove the grease that's blocking the pipes. Allow it to work for a few minutes, then use a plunger to help move the clog along.

Where is the P trap in a kitchen sink?

The P-trap is at the curve of the drainpipe under the sink, usually inside a cabinet. It may be necessary to clean your kitchen drain’s P-trap to clear the clog. Place a pan or bucket underneath the drain to catch any water or debris that may fall out.

How to clear a clogged sink with baking soda?

This is another combination that can clear out sink clogs. Mix about a cup of baking soda with half a cup of salt , and pour this mixture down the drain. Let the mixture sit for several hours, then flush with boiling water. You can repeat this process again if it doesn’t work the first time.

How to fix a clogged garbage disposal?

One of the next things you should do is check to make sure your garbage disposal isn’t causing the problem. A clogged disposal can easily stop up the drain, so run the disposal for a minute or two with hot water running to see if that clears the clog. If that doesn’t work, make sure the disposal is turned off and carefully inspect it to make sure it’s running correctly. If the disposal has overheated and automatically switched off, you may need to restart it at the base. The base on/off switch can usually be found on the side or bottom of the disposal unit underneath the sink.

What is a plumber's snake?

Sometimes called an auger, a plumber’s snake is a handy tool that can clear clogs stuck further down the drainage system under your kitchen sink. You’ll have to disassemble the drainpipe and P-trap that runs underneath the kitchen sink to expose the “stub pipe” or “stubout” that travels behind the cabinet wall.

How to clear a sink with salt?

Use salt and boiling water. After removing as much standing water from the sink as possible, pour about a half a cup (½ cup) of table salt down the drain. Then pour in about a quart of boiling water. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then flush with hot water to clear the mixture. 4.

How to clear a clogged drain?

Again, remove any standing water before you try this technique. Pour about a cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by an equal amount of white or apple cider vinegar. The solution will soon start to bubble; when it subsides, put the stopper in and wait about 15 minutes. Next, run the hot water to see if the clog clears. Repeat the process one more time if the water is draining, but slower than normal (that means the clog isn’t fully clear yet).

How to keep a sink clean?

To keep your sink smelling fresh and running clear, pour in equal parts vinegar and baking soda on a regular basis, usually once or twice a month. For routine cleaning, you’ll just need about half a cup of each.

How to get a clogged sink out of a sink?

This is the commonly seen solution for this issue - use a plunger. Place the lips of the plunger around the sink so that they stick completely, push it up and down about ten times and you will hear when your clog is sucked out successfully.

What is the best way to get a clogged drain out of a pipe?

Use a plumber's snake (also called drain auger), a tool that has further reach than a plunger and is used to either pull the clog out of the pipes or to push it down ahead. If you don't have one at home you can easily find them online or in a plumbing-supply store.

How to prevent this?

The best answer to this question would be - "Be careful what you put in your drain". But this is not concrete enough, is it?

How do clogs form?

Well, a clog is almost always formed from food leftovers. It's enough for one part of food to get stuck in a pipe and if it's not washed away soon by water it will collect other parts of food that find their way there and form a solid clog.

Why do coffee grounds get stuck in pipes?

coffee grounds - they have a tendency to get stuck in a pipe because it stays solid. grease - it can easily collect more food and create a solid clog faster. meat - especially the greasier kind. cheese - it can spread and fasten the process of creating a clog.

What happens if you block a system deeper?

If, however, your blockage is deeper in the system, it will make things a little more difficult for you to reach it. Keep reading and you will find out how to handle even these types of blockages!

Can a kitchen sink be clogged?

Kitchen sinks getting clogged up are a natural occurrence and at some point of time, you will have to Google search on how to fix it (unless you are a plumber or have a friend who happens to be a professional plumber, then lucky you!).

How to get a clogged sink out of the drain?

A wire coat hanger is useful in grabbing clogs close to the drain. Straighten a wire coat hanger and make a hook at one end. Next, take the hook end down the drain carefully as you hold the other end with rubber gloves. Then, stop and scoop up the clog pieces. Afterward, pull the coat hanger up and take the sink clog to the trash can. Continue doing this until there are no more clog pieces.

How to unclog a drain pipe?

All these remedies require pouring baking soda or salt first, and depending on which part you choose, salt, vinegar, or boiling water second. Allow the mixture to sit in the drain for an hour, and then turn on the faucet to see if the pipe is unclogging. Try the process again if the water starts to drain more quickly, but the speed isn’t yet back to normal.

Why is my kitchen sink drain not turning?

If your kitchen sink has a garbage disposal attached to the drain, inspect it with a flashlight. Food or objects may jam the blades, causing it not to turn and operate as intended.

Why is my kitchen sink clogged?

If water drains slowly, if the drain is smelly, or if objects back up into the kitchen sink’s water flow, you have a clog problem. It's important to know how to unclog a kitchen sink so you don’t have to deal with the problem again. To achieve this, you need to know common cleaning solutions to remove clogs.

Why does hair fall in the sink?

It may seem unlikely for hair to cause clogs in kitchen drains because a kitchen sink is mainly used to clean dishes. However, some people use the kitchen sink to wash their hair or wash their pet when the bathroom is in use. In this case, strands of loose hair may fall in the sink as an alternative solution to the trash can.

What causes a clog in a kitchen sink?

Water can't pass through or push the clog through, so it sits there. Other objects pile on top, and soon, a small jam turns into a large clog. If water drains slowly, if the drain is smelly, or if objects back up into the kitchen sink’s water flow, you have a clog problem.

How many drains does a kitchen sink have?

Most kitchen sinks have two sinks with two drains that connect into one larger drain. So, place a kitchen sink stopper or a rubber stopper over the drain not in use before you begin. This improves suction and avoids water traveling to the other drain.

How to remove P trap?

If you suspect a hair clog, but there is nothing on the drain mechanism, you may have to check the “P” trap for the clog. Hopefully, the plastic hair removal tool will be long enough to reach the clog in the “P” trap. If it cannot reach the clog, then you’ll have to remove the “P” trap.

How to stop a clogged drain?

How To Prevent Clogged Drains 1 Cutting hair – Never cut your hair into the sink without the drain stopper closed and clean all the hair out before opening it. 2 Grease and oil – Put as little down the drain as possible. Keep an empty coffee container handy that you can scrap excess grease and oil into. 3 Food – Some foods, like rice, pasta and coffee grounds, can get caught in small cracks and crevices. They make great places for clogs to begin. 4 Garbage Disposals – Although disposals are designed to grind food up fine enough the can be washed down the drain, there are some foods that can still cause problems. Many foods can create a mushy byproduct or they can’t be broken down enough. Both can end up causing drain problems. The website “delish.com” has a great article on “ Things That You Should NEVER Put Down Your Garbage Disposal ”. If you have a disposal, you will definitely want to take the time to read it! 5 Preventative Maintenance – To help prevent the build-up of oil, grease and soap scum, try pouring a large pot of boiling water slowly down the drain occasionally. This helps to eliminate the build-up of organic material on the drainpipe walls. You can also put a good squirt of Dawn dish soap down the drain just before pouring the hot water down. This will help break up the grease and oil.

Where Are The Typical Drain Clog Locations?

The location of the clog drains can vary, but there are a couple of different places that are quite common. As a rule, the grease and oil clogs show up in the kitchen and the hair clogs are found in the bathroom drains. Although many of the hair products and conditioners can help add to the problem. I would like to share the areas that have given us the most trouble over the years.

How to get rid of grease build up in kitchen drain?

Do your best to clear as much of the gunk as possible. Once the drain piping is put back together pour a gallon or two of near-boiling water slowly down the drain. This helps to loosen and wash away the debris.

Why does grease stick to drain pipe?

As the warm grease and oils travel down the drain it cools and tends to stick to the drain pipe. As additional grease goes down the drain it continues to add up and you have the beginning of a clog. Now add other food and debris particles and it slowly becomes even worse.

What causes a clogged drain in the kitchen?

The second type of clog typically happens more in the kitchen. It is normally caused by greases and oils going down the drain. And by that, I don’t mean pouring large amounts of grease and oil down the drain. Even small amounts of grease and oil going down the drain can cause problems over time.

How to get hair out of drain plug?

Once the drain plug is lifted out you should be able to look down the drain and see the end of the shaft that the drain plug was connected to. That shaft is one of the most common locations for long hair to gather! With a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers, you should be able to reach in there and pull out the hair clogging the drain. If you can’t reach it, the plastic barbed drain clearing tool works well here for clearing the hair clog.