A lovingly made renovation in the kitchen, carefully selected interior decor elements, beautiful dishes - in the morning you usually don’t want to leave your cozy nest. So you went out into the kitchen in the morning, prepared to make yourself a cup of coffee and some... What is that unpleasant smell coming from the sink? Let's let the water through - that's right, the water doesn't go away! Instead of morning bliss, we have a clog in the kitchen sink, what should we do, call a plumber or try to deal with it ourselves? The answers are in our article.
First, let us reassure you that most blockages can be eliminated on your own , without calling specialists. There are several methods; if in your case one of the selected options does not turn out to be effective enough, you can use another. Also, at the end of our article, we’ll talk about preventing clogs in the kitchen sink.
Who is to blame and what to do?
Two eternal Russian philosophical questions are quite applicable to our situation. First , check whether there is a special mesh on the sink drain that does not allow food debris, large fractions of vegetable peels, hair and pet hair to freely penetrate into the sewer pipe and form such a delicious plug there, mixing with fat.
If there is no mesh , only you are to blame, how to remove the blockage - urgently go to the hardware store for a miracle mesh.
But there may well be a situation where the fat washed off from the dishes remains on the walls of the sewerage elements and catches the smallest food debris and so on. A clog forms, just not so quickly, not once a week, but once a year , and then one day, not a wonderful day, the water stands in the sink, and the plastic mesh, on which so much hope is placed, drifts on the surface of the water.
What should I do? Let's roll up our sleeves and get down to business.
But the owners are not always to blame; let’s list all the causes of blockages:
- the fine litter already mentioned above (food remains, fat, threads, hair);
- corrosion of pipes (typical of old housing stock);
- defects in the operation of the sewer system (improper installation of the siphon, depressurization of the pipeline, etc.).
In our article we will analyze options for action for the first, most common reason. If old pipes are corroded, they become brittle - in this case, they should be replaced with more modern building materials (in a plastic pipe, for example, there will be no such deposits).
If there are defects in the sewer system, specialists should be invited to diagnose and fix the problem.
Basic cleaning methods
There are four reliable ways to clear a clogged sink:
- mechanical;
- chemical;
- hydrodynamic;
- using home remedies.
Below we will analyze in detail each of the popular options. The hydrodynamic method is the least popular, since hydrodynamic sewer cleaning is carried out with special devices; it is an effective cleaning method, but the devices themselves are not very common.
To begin with, you can run a sufficient amount of hot water, the fat will dissolve, if the plug is small, it will break up and go through the pipes. In the future, it will only be necessary to carry out preventive measures to avoid clogging; we will discuss them below.
If hot water does not clear the blockage, then the problem is more serious; we will solve it in other ways.
Removing a clog in the kitchen sink
What conclusion can be drawn?
It is necessary to draw certain conclusions if the siphon clogs very often. This indicates that you are constantly throwing garbage into the sink or pouring water that is not very clean. The more often you do this, the faster the siphon loses its smooth surface on the inside. The worst case scenario is when the sump is scratched inside by debris. In this case, plaque will very quickly accumulate on the walls, which is why this kind of blockage will make itself felt again. If pollution occurs very often, then the easiest way is to buy a new sump tank. It's inexpensive, but you won't have to worry about cleaning the pipe again.
Mechanical cleaning of sewer pipes
At home, you can mechanically clean pipes with a plunger or plumbing cable.
The plunger is a time-tested invention, inexpensive, and lasts a long time. You should buy a separate plunger for the kitchen; for hygiene reasons, you should not use the same one as in the bathroom.
The most reliable plunger is a wooden handle and a rubber pump base; plastic options are not so reliable. How to use it? We install it exactly above the sink drain, make sure that the rubber fits tightly to the bottom of the sink, and let the water flow. Let's take in enough water so that the rubber part of the plunger is under water, press vigorously with all our hearts a dozen times. If the blockage is small, the water will whistle down the drain. It is done!
What to do if your kitchen sink has two sections? Ideally, you should have a pair of plungers and work with them at the same time - this will provide you with excellent cleaning of the sewer system. If you don't have a second kitchen plunger, simply cover the other drain hole with your hand or a rag.
How to clear a clog without a plunger? If you don’t have it on your household, you can imitate its work with a glass, a hand in a rubber glove, or a rag. The principle of operation is the same: close the drain hole, fill with water, and sharply pull up.
Cleaning with a plumbing cable is not as simple as working with a plunger. But you can cope with it too! The cable is purchased at the store and must be used carefully.
The siphon is removed, the end of the cable is inserted there, with rotational movements of the handle the cable is pushed inside the sewer pipe and either crushes the resulting plug, or you take this mass out and throw it away. After installing the siphon in place, run hot water thoroughly. Enjoy the purity and freshness you deserve.
When working with plumbing cable, observe the following rules. The cable must be in good condition, without damage, the handle must be securely fastened to it.
You should rotate strictly in one direction at a measured speed; moving the handle randomly can damage the pipe. If suddenly the end of the cable gets stuck in the sewer, only in this case should you very carefully and slowly turn the handle in different directions until the obstacle is passed.
It is more convenient to carry out this procedure with two people - one regularly rotates the handle, the other controls the cable.
In modern apartments, the entire sewage system is interconnected. Before you start working in the kitchen, take a minute - go to the bathroom, plug the drain hole of the bathtub and sink, then go to the toilet and lower the toilet lid. These simple steps, which won’t take up your time and energy, will help you clean your kitchen sink more effectively.
You can also disassemble the drainage elements under the sink and manually clean each part. Only do this job if you are confident that you can handle it.
Ceiling made of plastic panels
duet27 published a topic in Repair and construction, August 17, 2005, topic
Ceiling made of plastic panels
at the end of the renovation, money became tight)))) I calculated that a rack-and-pinion “superchrome” for the ceiling of my bathroom would cost about 4,000 rubles, and just plastic panels would cost 1.5 thousand. The difference is noticeable, after all)) But the ceiling is not a warm floor - it can be replaced later. My point is that I don't really like these panels at all. So, actually, the question is: I’m going to make a frame from PPN and PP, just like for gypsum boards. Only water for panels: WHAT AND WITH WHAT STEP.
Chemistry comes to the rescue
The choice of chemicals for cleaning sewer pipes is extensive - in any hardware department you will find something that you can afford.
The assortment is large - gels, granules, powders. In such chemical compositions, the active substance is either an alkali or an acid. Whatever you choose, the first thing you should take care of is your own safety.
Aggressive chemistry will not improve your health if you accidentally drop it onto your palm, so let's talk about precautions.
We open the windows, put on a protective mask and goggles, and wear thick rubber gloves on our hands. If the windows of your house face different sides and it is possible to provide cross ventilation, do it.
Never use two different cleaning chemicals at the same time, even with the best intentions - compounds can form that will harm not only the sewer system, but also you.
If you are a resident of an old housing stock with cast iron pipes, this method is not suitable for you. If you have plastic pipes, you should not increase the contact time of chemicals and elements of the sewer system prescribed by the manufacturer. By the way, the label should say that it is intended for your type of pipe.
If the blockage problem has been acute for quite a long time, perhaps one chemical filling will not be enough for you. Therefore, wait the allotted time (read the label), spill hot water and use the services of a trouble-free plunger. Together, both methods will definitely help you!
What if there are children and animals in the house? And you don’t want to use aggressive chemicals? Isn't there a more gentle way? There are such recipes, and we will definitely tell you about them.
We get an additional effect
Even after you have cleaned the sewer pipes using a cable, remember that a greasy residue remains over their area. This means that you will have to clean it again in the near future. To avoid such an unpleasant situation, it is best to use products such as “Mole” and “Mr. Muscle”. Each package will contain instructions for use, and by carrying out this additional action, you can get a guarantee that the sewer pipes will remain clean longer.
Baking soda, vinegar and lemon are useful for more than just lemon pie
Those who don’t like radical chemicals can always turn to homemade sink cleaning recipes. You can break through a cork using various substances that any housewife can find.
There is an opinion that keeping your apartment clean can be done by having a sponge, baking soda, lemon (citric acid) and vinegar on hand.
Mirrors and windows are rinsed with a vinegar solution; it has dust-repellent properties and does not leave streaks. Citric acid removes scale from teapots one-two-three times. Use baking soda to make your kitchenware shine. The list goes on for a long time. But let's turn to our problem - there is a blockage in the sink.
To remove a garbage plug, try any of the effective recipes below.
Soda and vinegar
Take 200 g of soda, pour it into the sink drain, add 250 ml of 9% vinegar, close the hole tightly. A rather caustic foam is formed, which will cope with the problem.
After half an hour, turn on the hot water, skip a few minutes to achieve perfect cleanliness of all elements of the sewer system. Cleaning should be done with the windows open.
Lemon acid
Take 100 g of citric acid, pour it into the sink drain, add a glass of boiling water, and close with a stopper. After half an hour, run hot water for a few minutes.
Alka-Seltzer
An original way to clean the sink siphon is to use a home first aid kit. Alka-Seltzer is perfect for solving our problem. Place 2-3 tablets in the drain, pour in 250 ml of 9% vinegar, close the drain hole. After a few minutes, run hot water.
In conclusion, let's talk about preventing a clogged kitchen sink, because many problems will not become so if we do not allow it ourselves.
Why does the water drain poorly from the kitchen sink?
When the water in the kitchen sink does not drain, not every housewife knows what to do. A clogged sink leaves no way to wash dishes and fills the kitchen with an unpleasant odor.
A clogged sink leaves no way to wash dishes.
Why doesn't the water go away?
Water does not drain well from the sink only because it is clogged. However, there can be any number of sources of blockage. Most often, the drain becomes clogged with a lump of food debris, fat, hair, detergents, which gradually collect in the siphon, grow on its walls and narrow the lumen.
In addition, all sorts of small objects can get into the pipe: pieces of paper, paper clips, buttons, bottle caps, parts of a children's construction set. They can get stuck not only in the siphon, but also in any other place in the drain, preventing complete drainage. The method for eliminating it depends on the cause of the blockage. Therefore, before starting to solve the problem, it is recommended to determine its source.
Folk remedies for cleaning pipes
There are folk remedies that traditionally help maintain kitchen drain hygiene without the use of industrial chemicals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YkSOHTgBFQ
Recipe No. 1 Soda + vinegar
Before you start cleaning with baking soda and vinegar, you need to remove all accumulated water from the sink. After this, approximately 100 g of baking soda is poured into the drain and 1 glass of table vinegar is poured. For greater effect, the drain should be closed with a stopper and left for 30-40 minutes. After this time, 2 liters of boiling water is poured into the sink. If after these steps the blockage is not completely cleared, you can use a plunger.
Recipe No. 2 Soda + salt + boiling water
Using this method, you also need to drain the sink. Next, half a glass of table salt and the same amount of baking soda are poured into the drain. Then 0.5 liters of boiling water is poured there, closed with a stopper or a damp cloth and left for 5-8 hours. It's best to do this overnight so that you have a clean and working sink in the morning. After the waiting period has passed, the drain should be rinsed with warm water.
How to clear a blockage mechanically
There are several ways to mechanically clear a clogged kitchen sink. They are simple, but require physical effort.
Using a plunger
If the drain is slightly clogged, when the water slowly but still drains away, it is best to use a plunger. It allows you to pump out water and air, gradually moving and destroying the formed lump. The scheme for working with a plunger is as simple as possible. The tool must be applied to the drain and pressed against the surface of the sink with a series of sharp pushes. If the plumbing has two drains, then you can work with a partner, armed with two plungers. When this is not possible, the second drain is covered with a damp rag or stopper.
If the drain is slightly clogged, when the water slowly but still drains away, it is best to use a plunger.
Cleaning with a cable
Cable cleaning is used in the most difficult cases, so its effectiveness is beyond doubt. A special cable can be purchased at a hardware store. When choosing a tool, preference should be given to a model with a comfortable handle, since working with such a cable will be the most comfortable and effective. High-quality cables are made from high-strength steel, which is resistant to corrosion and all kinds of damage. The service life of such a tool exceeds several decades.
The scheme for working with the cable is clear and accessible. The brush or hook located at the end of the tool is carefully inserted into the drain hole. After this, the cable is gradually pushed into the pipe, slowly turning the handle. As soon as the working end encounters a blockage, you should push it inside with a precise and sharp movement, thereby destroying the formed lump. Working with the cable requires some effort and skill, but its effectiveness exceeds expectations.
