Substances such as grease, hair, soap flakes, and coffee grinds often accumulate in kitchen pipe to form clogs. Blockages in kitchen Plumbing in Gig Harbor WA can make it hard to perform house cleaning and food preparation. A blocked drain can also invite insects and filth to a kitchen. To prevent these situations from occurring, use the simple ways listed below to unclog a kitchen sink.
Use Boiling Water
Heated water is one of the best ways to unclog blocked kitchen plumbing. Don’t use this method when plumbing has PVC pipes. Remove as much standing water as possible from the sink. Boil about one gallon of water. Slowly pour the heated water into the drain opening. Allow the water to remain in the drain for about 2 to 4 minutes. Test this method by running water to see if it drains. Water should flow down the drain without backing up into the sink. It may be necessary to repeat these steps when a clog is not totally removed.
Implement a Plunger
When boiling water fails to remove a clog, use a plunger. Again, remove stagnant water from the sink. Apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly to the underside of the plunger’s lips. Press the plunger against the side of the sink. Slowly move the plunger down the sink and over the drain opening without breaking contact with the sink surface. Firmly grasp the plunger stick with both hands. Rapidly move the plunger up and down 5 to 7 times. The plunger should not lose contact with the sink surface during these strikes. On the last strike, pull up on the plunger. Run a steady stream of water. Wait a few moments to see if the water backs up into the sink. When it does, repeat these steps. The force built up during the movement of the plunger should dislodge most clogs.
When these two methods don’t remove a kitchen clog, it’s a good idea to call a professional like the ones at Express Service Plumbing. The specialists at this company can handle residential and commercial Plumbing in Gig Harbor WA including maintenance, installation, and repair.