When you're washing dishes and the water stops draining, you've got a problem. Standing water indicates that your kitchen sink pipes have become clogged with food and oil and need to be cleaned. But it doesn't mean you should use Drano to clean your sink. Here are some options on how to drain the standing water.
- Plunger
To manually drain a sink in the best way is to plunge it. If you have a double sink, make sure you plug the other end before you start to keep the seal intact and prevent any water from leaking out.
To create a suctioning effect, place the plunger over the drain in your sink and firmly pump down until the water starts to drain. After all of the stagnant water has been removed from the sink, flush the drain with clean water to ensure it is clear. You'll have to plunge again if it isn't.
- Baking soda and vinegar mixture
Baking soda and vinegar create a bubbling reaction that breaks up larger particles of muck so they may easily be flushed down the drain.
First, start off by boiling water in a kettle and then pour it down the drain.
It must be boiling, not merely hot tap water, in order to dissolve and dislodge food particles and other small obstructions. This will assist in flushing the drain, but it will not remove the clog completely. If you have PVC pipes, however, you should omit this step since it may weaken the pipe seals. After you've done the vinegar and baking soda treatment, you can still flush with hot tap water.
After that, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and wait a few minutes. Pour in a cup of white distilled vinegar after the baking soda has stood for a while. The mixture will produce a fizzy reaction that will dislodge the obstruction. Plug the sink with a stopper for roughly 15 minutes. Boil another kettle of water at this time. When the timer goes off, pour the hot water down the sink once more to flush it out.
Repeat this process on a regular basis to avoid further buildup.
- Clean the P-trap from food and oil
To dislodge any meals stuck in the drain, carefully push a straightened coat hanger through the slot in your sink. If it doesn't work, you'll have no choice except to disassemble the P-trap.
The P-trap is fashioned like a U and is positioned beneath the sink. Put on a pair of gloves (such as plastic dishwashing gloves or leather gloves that you don't mind getting dirty) and position a bucket, trash can, or rubbish bag beneath the pipes to catch any food or water. If the fittings are too tight, use pliers to loosen them.
Once it's out, push the food through with a sturdy object like a knife or a coat hanger, scraping the edges for any grease.
Also read: How to replace drain pipe under sink with garbage disposal
Will Drano Work In Standing Water?
Yes, you can use Drano Clog Removers to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or clogged bathtub, but do not use them in toilets. Apply the product to clogged or slow-running drains, then flush with hot water after 15 minutes. Allow 30 minutes before flushing if the situation is particularly difficult.
Drano should never be poured into an area where there is standing water. Certain bacteria can be advantageous in the drain system; good bacteria will break down organic debris over time. You're damaging your drains if you pour bacteria-killing chemicals down the drain.
Kitchen Sink Clogged Both Sides
If both sides of your double kitchen sinks become clogged and start to back up, the most likely cause is a clogged main drain or a clogged trash disposal. Baking soda and hot water can be used to unclog drains and can also be used as a cleaning agent and odor absorber.