If you have a sink with a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you certainly dispose of a wide range of items every day. Food leftovers in small amounts usually make it down with no hassle. However, if you send larger, more dense things through the garbage disposal, you’ll soon end up with problems.
Chemical drain cleaners would likely cause more harm than good to plastic fixtures and mechanical components of the garbage disposal, so be in no rush to try them. So how to get a sink unclogged if chemicals are a ''no go''?
Follow these simple steps to unclog a kitchen sink with a garbage disposal.
What to Do if a Garbage Disposal Is Not Draining Properly?
While you do dishes, you may realize that the water drainage is dragging a bit, or not moving at all. Don't panic!! Unclogging a kitchen sink with garbage disposal by yourself is easy. The best part is that you could already have everything you'll need to get the garbage disposal back up and running. Some ways only demand quick fixes like hot water and baking soda, while others may need a little more brute force such as plunging to clear your drain. However, as compared to hiring a plumber, these alternatives are more affordable.
Important! Never put anything down the garbage disposal while the electricity is turned on. Even if the garbage disposal is not in use, you must totally switch off the electricity before working on it.
- Clear any standing water in the sink using a flat plunger. You may also use a ladle to remove the water from the sink and place it in a bucket.
- Use a flashlight to peek into the aperture to see what is blocking it.
- Using little tongs or needle-nose pliers, remove the waste.
- Regain control of the problem.
- Fill the sink with water.
- Restart the garbage disposal.
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How to Unclog a Sink with Baking Soda?
If you do not have a plunger at home - there are many ways to unclog a sink naturally without using one.
Baking soda and vinegar are efficient home treatments. This fizzy foam mixture cleans the unit while cutting through food blockages. This solution is very effective in unclogging grease, fat, and oil clogs, as well as killing odors.
- Pour baking soda into the garbage disposal first.
- Pour vinegar down the garbage disposal after that.
- Wait for 20 minutes for the fizz to dissolve the blockage.
- Use hot water to flush the combination and food waste down the pipe.
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How to Unclog a Sink Drain with a Plunger?
To remove tough clogs down the drainpipe - use a plunger and water pressure. The clog will loosen and move if you forcefully plunge up and down.
- Begin by plugging the drain and covering it with the plunger.
- Use a drain stopper like StopShroom or StopShroom Plug to cover the other drain.
- Fill the sink halfway with water to form a watertight seal around the plunger's rounded bottom or flange.
- To dislodge the blockage, forcefully plunge the plunger up and down.
- For a few minutes, quickly repeat this motion.
- After that, remove any loose things using a flashlight.
- Turn on the cold water faucet if there are no loose things. The water should be able to drain quickly.
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If you have the right tools and supplies, unclogging garbage disposal isn't that difficult. Removing a blockage and restoring appropriate drainage usually take approximately 20 to 30 minutes or less.
Though some DIY projects are easy to complete, for others, there are repairs that require professional skills and specific equipment. If you’re unsure whether or not you can handle a maintenance request in your rental property, find a service professional in your area by posting a bid request.
Please note that the option is available for maintenance requests in a “new” status only.
Check out the Help Center article to get step by step instructions:
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