Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Tayyaba Shafqat
If things are going smoothly, read on for how to clean your kitchen sink drain!
Required Things
- A plunger or pipe snake
- Liquid dish soap/detergent (optional)
How To Clean the Kitchen Sink Drain?
Step by step basic procedure:
- Turn off water supply
- Unscrew strainer
- Pry out pipe screen (optional; only if clogged)
- Get rid of the old drain guard device (if there is one)
- Use plunger or snake to remove debris
- Clean thoroughly and replace pipe guards
- Turn on water supply
Step 1: Turn off the water to your sink
There are a twosome of ways you can do this, depending on your kitchen sink drain [you should be able to figure it out]. Make sure to turn off the faucet by turning it in the opposite direction so that no water comes out when you switch it back and open any other valves that might be open to stopping water from coming into the house.
Step 2: Unscrew the strainer for your kitchen sink drain
The strainer is the mesh-looking thing under the faucet. If you can’t tell what it is, it’s a good bet that you have one. Just unscrew whatever holds it into place and pull it out from underneath–it should lift right out [the big round metal part]. This will probably be full of water when you pull it up, so pull slowly to avoid spilling any on your floor or yourself! Then set aside by tipping upward so that all water drains out [you may want to do this over a bucket in case there’s still some in there]. Keep this next part in mind…
Read Also: How to clean a Salt Lamp? A Complete and Comprehensive guide
Step 3: Pry out your kitchen sink drainpipe screen (if any)
Depending on your kitchen sink’s design, there may be a pipe screen covering the opening in the filter. If yours has one, you will need to pry it open and remove it [it should only take gentle pressure–don’t try ripping anything off, or you’ll break it]. You might need to push down on the faucet while holding something underneath to get this part over with–that’s what I did! Just make sure to put everything back exactly as you found it when done.
Step 4: Get rid of the old drain guard device (optional)
If you have a drain guard that goes into the hole in your sink [over top of where all the gunk is], you will need to get rid of that and replace it with a new one. You cannot use liquid drain cleaner on these–they MUST be replaced every three months or sooner, depending on your drain blockage situation. If you don’t wish to purchase a new one [I ended up re-using mine], get them out of there in whatever way necessary [if there are visible clogs inside, you can probably poke it free with something long].
Step 5: Get your plunger ready
This is when things start getting messy! Make sure everything around the sink is covered in towels or plastic bags that you don’t care much about, then put some dish soap/detergent at the edge of the sink. If you have a plunger with a seal in the middle, place this over your drain and push down occasionally to create pressure [do not pump too much, or you will break something]. If you have a plunger without a seal [like I did], plunge up and down as fast as you can. If your sink is very clogged, add more dish soap/detergent before plunging.
Step 6: Clean thoroughly when things are drained
Now approaches the most difficult part of all cleaning it all up! You don’t want to go into much detail here because nobody wants to read that kind of stuff… make sure everything is nice and dry before replacing pipe guards and turning on your water supply! But for those who are interested, read on…
Step 7: Clean the filter
You should probably clean this by hand. You can use a fluid drain cleaner if you want, but I didn’t bother. Make sure it’s good and dry before putting it back in place!
Step 8: Clean your sink drain hole
Use a paper towel to wipe out all the gunk around your drainpipe–you may have to reach under and behind stuff to get everything out of there. Then turn on your water supply and make sure everything is nice and clean [you may need to do this more than once or twice]. If clogs still exist or form again, see my article for How to Clean Plumbing Pipes. That will communicate you how to get rid of clogs more permanently.
Step 5: Plunge away
This is when things start getting messy! Make sure everything around the sink is covered in towels or plastic bags that you don’t care much about, then put some dish soap/detergent at the edge of the sink. If you have a plunger with a seal in the middle, place this over your drain and push down occasionally to create pressure [do not pump too much, or you will break].
I hope this article was helpful to you! I know it sounds like a complex process, but once you do it, everything flows smoothly (and quickly)! So good luck with your clean drain and happy house cleaning! 🙂
Effortless Brilliance: 8 Quick Hacks to Keep Your Kitchen Sink Drain Pristine:
Certainly! Here are straightforward and simple tips for keeping your kitchen sink drain clean:
- Boiling Water Blitz: Once a week, pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to melt away grease and prevent buildup.
- Salt Scrub Savior: Mix a cup of salt with hot water and pour it down the drain. The abrasiveness helps scrub away residue.
- Vinegar Victory: Combine equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda, then pour it down the drain. Follow up with hot water to fizz away grime.
- Fruit Peel Freshness: Toss citrus peels (lemon, orange) down the disposal to combat odors and leave a refreshing scent.
- Ice Cube Cleanse: Drop a handful of ice cubes down the drain and run the disposal. The ice helps dislodge debris.
- Baking Soda Bomb: Sprinkle baking soda down the drain, followed by hot water. This simple mix works wonders on odors.
- Dish Soap Dynamo: Squirt a tablespoon of dish soap down the drain and run hot water. It helps break down grease and keeps things flowing smoothly.
- Mesh Strainer Magic: Use a mesh strainer to catch food particles before they go down the drain, preventing clogs.
Implement these quick and easy hacks to maintain a clean and trouble-free kitchen sink drain!
FAQs
- Question: How do you clean a kitchen sink drain?
Answer: Kitchen sink drains are often clogged due to food particles and grease that build up over time. These may be manually removed with a cleaning brush to keep the drain clear or build up into more significant clogs requiring plunger work.
- Question: I am having problems with my sink drain; what should I do? Can you fix it?
Answer: For further assistance with your kitchen sink drain, please contact a trained plumbing professional to inspect and clear the clog. They will also examine the pipes and drainage system of your home for damage.
- Question: Can you recommend a good plunger?
Answer: There are a few dissimilar kinds of plungers, so look for one that suits your needs. Generally, the best plunger is a cup-style plunger, like the ones in most bathrooms. This type of plunger is effective at getting blockages out without scratching your sink or toilet.
- Question: What are the profits of a sink garbage disposal?
Answer: The primary benefit of a kitchen sink garbage disposal is the fact that it prevents clogged drains and odors. It also makes cleanup a little easier since food waste can be ground up and rinsed down the drain.
Apart from this if you’re interested to know about Tips to Avoid Pipes Bursting in Your Home then please visit our Home improvement category.
