Troubleshooting a Clogged Kitchen Sink

Most drains when working properly only take a few seconds to drain the water from the sink. A clogged drain seems like it takes forever to drain the water, sometimes not wholly emptying the basin. The clog can trap water and food particles in the pipe that can sour and release an odor into your home especially during the warm summer months. Here are a few guidelines on how the problem can be fixed without a professional.

Troubleshooting

• A good way to indicate that your kitchen drain has a clog is after releasing the plug the water slowly seeps down the drain. This type of clog can usually be broken loose with a plunger. The plunger forces air and water into the pipe that will break-up the clog. Clogs are usually formed from food particles and grease that build up overtime along the interior walls of the pipe.

• Sometimes the clog may be located farther down in the pipe where a plunger will not remove the clog. This may require a liquid chemical that can be poured down the drain and will slowly dissolve the clog. There is a variety of liquid chemicals that can be purchased at Walmart, dollar stores and grocery stores.

• The clog may be located past the trap in the pipe. A tool called a plumber's snake may be needed to unclog the drain. To use a plumber's snake one will have to remove the trap under the sink, and feed the snake down into the pipe slowly, releasing the thick cable of the device until it reaches the end of the cable. This process may have to be done a few times to break up whatever is clogging the drain.

When to Call a Professional

• If all the steps above failed to work and the drain is still clogged, it may be time to reach out to a professional. The clog may be located underneath the house or in the pipes running to the sewer system. Pipes can collapse from years of use and deterioration. Tree roots can also cause damage by growing into or through the pipes and clogging the drainage system which will need replacement. A professional will know how to properly troubleshoot these larger problems and have access to the proper equipment needed.