How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink
Slow or fully stopped kitchen sink? Most clogs here are grease and food buildup, and there's a right order to try fixing it.
Before you start: this is general information, not a diagnosis of your specific situation. Shut off water where instructed, take your time, and stop if anything looks different than described here. If you're not comfortable at any point, stop and call us — that's what we're here for.
- 1Skip the chemical drain cleaner — it rarely fully clears a grease clog and can damage older pipes. Start with a plunger instead.
- 2If there's a double sink, plug the other drain tightly with a wet rag so the plunger has something to push against.
- 3Fill the clogged sink with a couple inches of water, then plunge firmly and repeatedly for 15-20 seconds at a time.
- 4If that doesn't clear it, remove the P-trap under the sink (see our P-trap guide) and check for a clog right there — this is the most common spot.
- 5Still stopped? A cheap hand-crank drain snake fed through the drain or the trap opening can reach clogs further down the line.
If the clog keeps coming back every few weeks, or multiple drains in the house are slow at the same time, that's a sign of a bigger issue further down the line — a plunger and snake won't fix that, and it's time to call us.
Not Feeling It? We've Got You.
If this isn't a DIY day, call, text, or book online — same flat-rate honesty either way.