Need advise on how to uncolg the water in the kitchen sink. I have tried

[crunch60]

baking soda, vinegar, hot water, still runs slow, any suggestions? Trying not to call the plumber cause $$$$

[Incitatus]

1. Draino

I find the generic store brand works just as good. I just had to use some to unclog a sink. It was $5 for 1/2 gallon and I only needed 1/4 of the bottle.

[crunch60]

2. thanks, I usually like the home remedies, but they don't seem to be working this time. I'll try the

draino.

[tandot]

3. Try a plunger

http://homerepair.about.com/od/plumbingrepair/ss/unplug_sink_3.htm

If vinegar and baking soda doesn't work, I always use elbow grease and a plunger. The trick is to use quick, sharp plunges (as described at above link). I never had to call a plumber for clogged up drains.

[Fla Dem]

23. Will a plunger still work if you have a garbage disposal?

I've used a plunger successfully on bathroom drains, and toilets (ugh) before, but figured with the GD it would not be as effective.

[tandot]

28. I've never tried it on a GD sink but think it should work the same:

http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Plumbing/Plumbing-Tips/how-to-clear-clogged-sink-drains/View-All

[tandot]

4. Also, if you use a plunger,

be prepared for a totally yucky mess coming up, depending on what is clogging up your drain.

[Major Nikon]

5. Draino first, then plunger, then a snake

If you don't have Draino on hand, I would go with a plunger first, which will fix a clog 95% of the time.

You can buy a 15' snake at your local hardware store for about $10. They are ridiculously simple to use and the directions are included when you buy it. If a 15' snake won't fix it, it's time to call a plumber unless you're really handy with such things.

[Curmudgeoness]

9. No no no no.

Do not use Draino first, then a plunger. Ever. If any of the Draino is still in the pipes, and you plunge, that can splash back up and it is very caustic. It is always suggested to use no drain cleaning product prior to using a plunger, and if you have used a product and still have to call a plumber, please let the plumber know what you used so they don't get hurt.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

14. Good advice. Plumbers hate working on pipes with Draino in them.

It's dangerous to the plumber and it ruins tools.

Always warn the plumber if you used Draino or something similar. Unless you call Joe The Plumber - then fuck 'em (just kidding).

My advice would be a local handy-man for a slow drain. Maybe a $60 dollar service call versus $200 for a service plumber (at least that's the rates where I live).

[Major Nikon]

17. Never had a problem

You wouldn't want to splash pure Draino on your skin, but by the time it gets diluted with a sink half full of water the corrosive properties are going to be reduced to the point at which there's very little danger, and if someone is plunging to the point of splashing water all over the house it's probably time to try something else anyway.

[Arugula Latte]

6. If it it a hair clog (which is probably unlikely in the kitchen sink)

get a Zip-It

[Nye Bevan]

16. +1000.

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Products-400-Zip-It-Cleaning/dp/B000BO9204/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347764399&sr=8-1&keywords=zip+it

For me, this has paid for itself *literally* hundreds of times over in saving the plumber's fee.

[whistler162]

7. Empty 1 gallon plastic bottle

place in drain push out all the air. Make sure you plug up any holes.Works quite well.

[crunch60]

8. thanks so much for all the advice

so far, I have plunged (as you advised)after the vinegar and Baking Soda, hot water, the water is draining, but extremely slow. Now I'll try the gallon jug method and tomorrow I will go buy a snake and use the draino.

[Curmudgeoness]

10. I find that when using a plunger,

it works best if the pipes and sink have water in them. Did yours? If not, put a plug in the sink, put water in, open plug and plunge right away. I have never had to use anything but a plunger to open a slow drain.

[handmade34]

11. try taking the elbow off

to see if clogged there... pretty easy to do just need correct tools...

http://www.ehow.com/how_2113113_elbow-drain-pipe-under-sink.html


the new sink and drain pipes I put in last fall...

[yawnmaster]

12. mine never clogs in the p trap under the sink but further under the house...

if it is in the p trap under the sink you are lucky and can get it with a small snake.
there are bio treatments that will eat up that crap but it may cause further blockage.
If the block isn't right under the sink you may need the plumber.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

13. Plumber's snake...

Can't remember, but think it was about $15 at Lowe's...works like a charm.

[XemaSab]

18. You try lye?

[struggle4progress]

20. That's pretty much what Draino is. Na2O works even better but you really have to be careful

as shizz with it

[ashling]

19. Don't worry about unclogging the water

just unclog the drain ... and the water will go on out

:whatthehellhappenedtothesmilies?:

you are welcome

[crunch60]

21. smiles...lol yes unclog the drain.. very tired from plunging. buying the snake today.

[HopeHoops]

22. Pull of the S-trap (with a bucket under it) to see which side the clog is on.

It's often in the S-trap, but it could be on either side and that gives you clear access to the blockage. Do NOT put "Draino" or similar products through a garbage disposal!!!

[grasswire]

24. If you have to use Drano, I find the red label works best. n/t

[Digit]

25. Dawn!

To clear a clogged drain. Boil three to four tablespoons Dawn dishwashing liquid in a pot full of water, and carefully pour the heated mixture down the drain of the sink. The solution dissolves many clogs because Dawn breaks down grease and other nasties.

I used this method on my toilet which wasn't flushing properly but I did not heat the water quite to boiling. I had to do it a couple of times but it worked like a charm.

[yawnmaster]

27. Problem is if there is fibrous material, as there often is in the kitchen drain...

and in the bathroom there is hair. You need a protease, or draino, or a snake to get rid of that.
on the other hand, the kitchen often does have greasy clogs and the Dawn idea is an easy one to try!

[Digit]

29. Yep, and no corrosive chemicals

It is something also to keep in mind for other drains, and the toilet.

[dimbear]

30. If you're brave, bring the hose in from outside, poke it in the sink hole, cover it all

over with rags to seal in the water, and turn it on full blast. Hold the rags down with your hands. You're probably going to get a little wet. No chemicals. Works sometimes.

[Meandering1]

31. Been a plumber for 30 years: PLEASE READ THIS!!!!

Please please PLEASE do not use "Draino" or any other caustic chemical in any sink or other fixture. This is a seriously poisonous substance (contains LYE) and causes severe burns. Doesn't belong anywhere inside a home or residence of any kind. Let me re-phrase that last remark;

DRAINO AND SIMILAR POWDERED AND LIQUID DRAIN CLEANERS DO NOT BELONG ANYWHERE IN A HOME OR RESIDENCE. I don't even want to see them at your office or workplace...

Instead just get the cheapest hand held snake for drain cleaning here: http://i.ebayimg.com/t/HAND-HELD-25-DRAIN-CLEANER-SNAKE-TAID0917-/00/$(KGrHqEOKoYE5ktTB)eJBOZm32Z9sg~~_35.JPG


Many children have been injured and killed from drain cleaning powders and liquids. Plus I've never seen Draino or similar type chemicals ever open anything except just the mildest of clogged sinks.

The hand held snake works quickly too.

In the future be careful dumping celery and other stringy types of vegetables down the garbage disposal.

You might also consider getting one of those "how to" plumbing books from the local hardware store, Lowes, Home DESpot or other.


As a plumber I HATE it when some homeowner pours caustic lye down the drain. As I said IT NEVER WORKS and the stink of chlorine drives me nuts. I have to bail out the nasty crap first before I snake your sink and flush down the toilet somewhere else. All so i don't splatter it in my poor eyes.

[retread]

32. I thought medical advice was verboten on DU?

[crunch60]

33. Thank you everyone for all the good advice. I ended

up taking off the elbow, had to replace some old galvanized pipe which was totally clogged, and installed new pipe. Cost, $120.00. I found a plumber in the neighborhood that really needed some work. He has four kids and is way behind in his rent, so this helped him out. I will hire him next month to do a little more work for me when I catch up on my finances. He also installed a new kitchen faucet for me, so it was a win, win situation.