How do you unclog kitchen sinks?

Question

It's a double sided sink and both sides are filled with water. The garbage disposal comes on but it doesn't do anything (make bubbles etc...)

Answer 1

draino

Answer 2

It is not clear from your question whether the garbage disposal is running when you turn it on. If it is running shut it off and reach into that disposal and see if you can pull out any clogs like cornsilk.

Next take a look at the plumbing under the sink. You have to put a pot under the drain and remove the drain plug at the bottom of the U-shaped drain pipe. The pot will catch the water. Drain both sides. Before pouring in a chemical see if you can find the clogged section. Put a coat hanger or a drain auger into the open pipe and point it away from the sink. See if you can push out any greasy blockage there. Then put the plug back in on that side and pour in very hot water and see if it drains now. If so you are OK.

If not then pour Drano into the side without the garbage disposal. Pouring it into the garbage disposal side will eat away the innards of the disposer. Let it sit there for awhile and see if it seems to be draining. When the main pipe is clear put back the plug on the disposal side and pour hot water in and see if it drains out.

If none of that works you have a blockage (probably grease) further down in the drain pipes and need some professional help (roto rooter style professional augering of the house drains.)

Answer 3

Here is advice from my husband who has been a plumber for 31 years: Try plunging one side. If water comes up the other side, try plugging off that drain with the stopper. Hold the stopper down with one hand while plunging the other side. If that doesn't work, the drain will need to be snaked. Call a drain cleaner such as Roto Rooter or a plumbing company that can snake drains. This is preferred over using any type of chemicals. Chemicals can damage drains. If water does not come out the other side when plunging, then plunge several times to try to dislodge the clog.

Answer 4

Usisng household items and no harsh chemicals this works for me mix 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup table salt and 3/4 cup white vinegar, mix well ( it will create a lot of bubbles) and pour into each side of drain equally, let stand for 20 minutes then pour very hot water down the drain. This should do the trick! If not call a plumber that can snake the line for you.
Good Luck

Answer 5

Home Made Drain Remedy- pour 2 c boiling vinegar down drain;followed by 1/2 cup baking soda, wait for bubbling to stop and flush with 1 gal water;this is safe for septic systems and is non poisoning. Actualy tried it myself and it works.

Answer 6

Double plunger it. That is to say cover BOTH drains. Otherwise, you're not applying pressure to the clog. After you get it running again, pour BOILING HOT water from the stove down the drain to cut & clear the GREASE you've been pouring down there.

Answer 7

do you have a disposal under the sink check it they can clog up easy also if draino dident work then take off the pipe under the sink take a cloths hanger stretch it out see if the block is close if so use the hanger most likley you have a build up in the pipe you will probley have to have it snaked you can do it your self if you rent one or know someone that has one but check you disposal first and then check it with a hanger or call a plumber

Answer 8

if there's anything in the disposal, take it out (make sure the switch is off), then take a plunger to it. You might have to plunge several times, then try the switch again. Repeat until disposal works

Answer 9

if you poured hot grease down the sink pour boilling water down it. If not cover one drain and you a plunger

Answer 10

roto rooter