I have a clogged kitchen sink drain with a garbage disposal.?

Question

I have read similar questions and answers from the archives. & Used what tips were offered. I've tried drano & it does not do anything. It simply sits there. Water too. When attempting to use the garbage disposal it just spits up bubbles on each side. I've taken apart both "u" shaped pipes under the sink & there appeared to be no obstruction to cause this slow drainage. Though when loosening the nuts the water drained from them and into the bucket leading me to beleive that, that is not where my problem lies. HELP!

Answer 1

Unfortunately, this often happens with garbage disposals. Your problem is likely further along with your pipes.... Water will leak out but there is definitely a clog somewhere. You don't have much of a choice but to call a specialist. Sorry to give you only bad news....

Answer 2

Put a stopper in the sink that doesn't have the garbage disposal. Then use a plunger on the disposal side of the sink. By using a tight fitting stopper in the other side, it will create more of a vacuum when plunging. Before plunging, add some Dawn dish soap & cold water into the sink. Then try plunging. I once had the exact same problem, & the blockage was not under the sink, as you seemed to have already figured out. It was further down in the line for us & we had to have Rotor Rooter come & unclog the drain. He said the culprit was a big ball of grease that we inherited from the previous owners. He said to always use Dawn dish soap & from time to time, squirt some Dawn & cold water down the sink drains, because if you use hot water, it will only trap the grease. Good luck!!!

Answer 3

It seems the blockage is farther down the drain line. So I agree with slimred, go rent a snake and snake the line. You want the longest one you can afford to get...at least 25-50 ft, maybe more. A word of caution: there is a certain type of glove you can wear while doing this that is safe (won't get caught in the turning snake), then there are types you definitely do NOT want to wear while operating an electric snake. Check mfg's recommendations before doing your own snaking.
After the drain is clear, boil some water and pour it down the drain...you want it boiling, not just hot.

Answer 4

garbage disposals are famous for being "overused" meaning they get to much stuff thrown down them and clog down the line somewhere. Limit what you put down it in the future. In the meantime and for future reference Draino and Liquid Plumber are garbage really. For a drain cleaner that actually works use a brand called "FlowEasy" I get it at Lowe's about $8 a quart. It doesn't necessarily have to be the floweasy brand but what you want is a drain cleaner that contains either concentrated or virgin sulphuric acid. It will eat anything organic.

Just follow the directions carefully if misused the stuff can be dangerous.

Answer 5

Skye K and Re-Design Diva are leading you the right way. Just get a snake long enough (depending how far your house sits back and were the clean out is) and get the gloves, that thing can really tear up your hand(s). By using the snake, you get it done right the first time and hopefully won't have to mess with it again!!!! Also, DO NOT PUT POTATOE PEELS DOWN A GARBAGE DISPOSAL.

Answer 6

If you don't really care about having the garbage disposal feature, I'd remove it altogether. You really don't need it and it makes drain backups worse. Then use a standard rubber plunger to clear the drain trap by filling the sink half way and plugging the overflow drain with duct tape. Plunge vigorously!

Answer 7

Go to your local Home Depot, Lowe's, whatever is in your area.....rent one of their electric snakes.....you will have to open up the main pipe.....should be located somewhere in the area of your sink......fire it up & let it go...should come with instructions or ask the dude at the rental counter....sounds like you have a major clog that is going all the way out to the street....