How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink With a Garbage Disposal

Most modern kitchen sinks have a garbage disposal, but they are not invincible and able to handle anything. Whether from food particles, hair, dust, grease, or dirt, kitchen sinks get clogs that can gum up the garbage disposal. If you are having drainage problems, you need to know how to unclog a kitchen sink garbage disposal without causing damage. These methods from Champion Plumbing in Nichols Hills, OK can get rid of clogs easily.

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Plunging the Sink

One of the simplest methods to unclog a drain is to use a plunger. A plunger generates a suction force that can loosen the clog in the drain, allowing water to flush it away. You can use any kind of plunger to clear clogs in the sink as long as it has a flat rim and is large enough to entirely cover the drain. 

• Before using the plunger, remove any standing water with a cup or bucket. Add some clean water so that the rubber end of the plunger is fully submerged.
• Place the end of the plunger directly over the sink and press down. You will feel some pressure when the suction creates a vacuum. 
• Gently but firmly, pull up on the plunger rapidly. Keep the rubber end of the plunger underneath the water surface. 
• If you have a separate hose on your sink, disconnect it to keep the vacuum sealed. 
• Remove larger clogs by hand and wash smaller clogs down the sink once the plunger frees them. 

If plunging your sink doesn’t work, move on to other methods for removing a clog. 

Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

A common remedy when your sink stops working is to dissolve the blockage with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda and vinegar combine in an exothermic reaction and release a lot of heat that can dissolve and break up stubborn clogs. The good news is that both substances are nontoxic and don’t produce harmful fumes like bleach or other cleaners do.  

• Pour around one cup of baking soda down the drain, making sure to cover as much of the pipe as you can. 
• Add a cup of white vinegar. Slowly add the vinegar so the majority of the fizz from the reaction stays in the drain. 
• Wait about 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse the drain with hot water to clear any remaining blockages.
• Repeat the process as necessary to clean the clog.

Open the Garbage Disposal

Another method for how to unclog a kitchen sink garbage disposal is to open up the disposal unit itself. The disposal is attached to the bottom of the sink and contains a motor and a set of spinning impeller discs that spin to grind up residue. The bits of residue from the grinding process filter through the flywheel and leave the house via the drainage system. 

• First, turn the disposal on and off a few times to see if that removes the clogs. Sometimes, repeated turning on and off can loosen a clog enough on its own. You can also press the reset button to reset the device. 
• If that does not work, turn off the disposal and disconnect the power or turn off the disposal’s circuit breaker. 
• There should be a small hole for an Allen wrench on the bottom side of the unit. You can twist this to rotate the plates manually and see if you can dislodge the clog. 
• You can also use special garbage disposal cleaner tablets that are made specifically for clearing stubborn debris like fats and fibers. 

Use a Drain Auger

A drain auger is a special tool that rotates a piece of stiff cable for clog removal. You can buy manual auger tools that you rotate by hand or automatic augurs that attach to the end of a power drill. 

• First, place the end of the augur cable (called the ‘drain snake’) into the drain. 
• Feed the cable until you feel resistance. This should be the clog that is blocking the drain. 
• Push the cable into the clog until it is sufficiently rooted. 
• Start rotating the augur cable. As it rotates, it will bore into the clog and break it into smaller pieces. 
• Some pieces might automatically flush down the drain, but you may have to remove larger pieces by hand. 
• After breaking up the clog, wash the remains down the drain with hot water from the faucet. 

Clean the Drain Trap

In some cases, the clog might not be directly in the garbage disposal but further down the pipe in the drain-trap. The drain trap is the small P-shaped section directly below the main drain pipe. If the P-trap becomes clogged, it can cause your sink to back up. Fortunately, removing a P-trap is very easy. 

• First, place a bucket directly below the P-trap to catch any water. 
• Unscrew the pipe connectors holding the P-trap in place and remove it from the sink. 
• Remove any large debris and wash it out in another sink.
• Replace the drain trap and test the sink again. If the drainage problem persists, then the clog is likely further down the pipes. 

How to Prevent Clogs

The best method for how to unclog a kitchen sink garbage disposal is to avoid clogs in the first place. Follow these tips to reduce the chances of sink clogs. 

• Avoid pouring oils, fats, seeds, shells, or fibers down your drains. 
• Consider buying a drain trap to keep larger food particles out. 
• After using the sink to dispose of food, run the hot water for a few minutes to flush the drain.