It is never a good day when you find out that your kitchen sink has been clogged. Fortunately there are a number of ways to unclog a sink at home without having to call a professional or plumber.

Use A Plunger For Small Clogs

Small clogs can be easily dislodged with the help of a plunger. You can use a household plunger but a cup plunger works best for unclogging the sinks. Make sure the plunger has a flat rim and a cup which completely covers the drain.

Position the cup of the plunger over the drain so it is completely covered. Make sure the sink has standing water or add fresh water. The water is necessary to aid in proper suction. Once you have established a strong seal, plunge the drain with force without losing the seal. If the water drains out completely you have unclogged the sink.

Use Boiling Water

If you are wondering how to unclog a sink in the simplest way possible, this is it. For this method you should clear all the standing water in the sink unlike the plunger method. Fill a pot or pan with water and boil it. Let it cool for a minute after taking it off the stove. In a single consistent stretch, pour out all the water into the sink with force. If the sink doesn’t unclog repeat the process for a few more times.

Use Natural Methods

There are a few natural and home remedies you can try instead of standard chemical drain cleaners. They are simple-to-make and an inexpensive alternative. A few of these are given below,

  • Pour 1 or ½ cup of baking soda into the drain hole. You can also mix salt with the baking soda. Take 1 cup of distilled vinegar and pour it into the drain. Let it rest for 15-30 minutes and then pour hot water into the drain.
  • Mix ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of salt. Pour it into the drain. After 20 minutes finish with hot boiling water.

Use A Plumbing Snake

If none of the above methods work, you might need to use a plumbing snake. It is usually used for more difficult clogs. It is also called a toilet jack or drain snake. Feed the end of the plumbing snake into the drain. Make sure to have a basin or bucket under the U-pipe to collect run-off residue.

Push the snake deep down the drain until you start feeling resistance. Once you have curved the snake to reach the pipe, it will hit the clog and you can rotate it to break it down and let it feed into the pipe. The rotation motion helps to break up the clog easily. If you don’t want to put in this much effort, just use a wet and dry vacuum.

Unclog Your Garbage Disposal

Sometimes your kitchen sink might be clogged because of a clog in your garbage disposal. First turn off the breaker which controls the garbage disposal. Using a flashlight or any other light source, check the disposal for any visible or noticeable clogs. These are usually big food chucks.

Once you have detected it, use a pair of long pliers to remove it. After this, turn on the breaker along with the disposal. If the water drains out properly you have successfully unclogged it.

Clean Out The U-Pipe

The U-pipe is also commonly called the P-trap or drain trap and is situated under the sink. First and foremost, place a bucket under the U-pipe to collect run-off. After this you can use a wrench or any other tool to unscrew the bolts to open the pipe. Inspect the pipe for clogs and clean it out. After cleaning, screw the bolts back to reattach the pipe.

Chemical Drain Openers

Chemical drain openers should be your last option since they can corrode or damage your pipes. If none of the natural methods work you can use this by following the appropriate safety procedures.

The best way to not have a clogged sink is to prevent it. Clean your sink regularly and don’t dump solid food waste into the drain. Use strainers and drain catchers if necessary.