One of the most common kitchen sink problems is a clog on both sides of the drain. Several things can cause this, but usually, it is due to food particles and grease build-up. If your kitchen sink is clogged on both sides, there are a few things you can do to try and unclog it.
First, try using a plunger. If this doesn’t work, you can try using a drain snake. Insert the drain snake into one side of the drain and see if you can loosen the clog enough to allow water to start flowing through again.
If neither of these methods works, you may need to call a professional plumber for help. In most cases, a clogged kitchen sink can be fixed relatively easily with some basic DIY know-how.
However, suppose the problem persists or gets worse over time. In that case, it is always best to consult a professional plumber to ensure that the issue is resolved correctly and does not cause further damage down the line.
Why Is Your Sink Backing Up On Both Sides?
A sink backing up on both sides can be a very frustrating problem. If you have ever experienced this, you know how annoying it can be. There are a few possible reasons why your sink might be doing this. One possibility is that there is a blockage in your pipes.
The blockage in the pipe can happen if food or other debris gets caught in the pipe and starts to cause a build-up. Over time, this build-up can become so severe that it causes the water to start backing up on both sides of the sink.
If this is the case, you will need to call a plumber to clear the blockage. Another possibility is that there is an issue with your sewer line. If your sewer line becomes backed up, it can cause water to start backing up into your sink from both sides.
This is usually due to a more extensive blockage further down the line and will require a professional to come and take care of it for you. If you are not sure what is causing your sink to back up on both sides, it is best to call a plumber so they can take a look and diagnose the problem for you.
Trying to fix it yourself could worsen the problem and create even more headaches for you.
Checking and Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal
If your garbage disposal is backing up, you can check a few things before calling a plumber.
First, check to see if there is anything stuck in the disposal blades. If there is, you can use a broom handle or other tool to try and remove it.
Be careful not to put your hand down at your disposal while doing this. If you can’t remove whatever is stuck, turn off the power to the disposal and call a plumber.
Another thing you can do is to pour some dish soap down into the disposal and turn it on for a few seconds. The dish soap will help loosen any build-up that might be causing problems. You can also try running hot water down the drain for a minute or two before turning on the garbage disposal.
If none of these things work, you will need to call a plumber to take care of it.
Resetting your Garbage Disposal and Turning Center Crank
If your garbage disposal won’t run, or if it runs but smells bad, you may need to reset it. First, ensure no food is lodged in the blades to reset garbage disposal. If food is stuck in the blades, use a spoon or utensil to remove it.
Once the food is removed, turn on the water and run the disposal for a few seconds to clear any remaining food from the blades. If the garbage disposal still doesn’t run after you’ve cleared away any food obstructions, you may need to reset the unit.
One way to reset garbage disposal is to insert a broom handle into the unit’s center and turn it clockwise until you hear a click. This signals that the garbage disposal has been appropriately reset.
Another way to reset garbage disposal is by pressing the red reset button Located at the bottom of most disposals. If neither of these methods works, you’ll need to call a professional for further assistance.
How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink with Baking Soda & Vinegar
If your kitchen sink is clogged, don’t call a plumber just yet. There’s a good chance you can unclog it yourself without spending any money. All you need is some baking soda and vinegar.
Here’s how to do it:
- Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, then follow it up with a cup of vinegar. P
- lug the drain and let the mixture sit for about an hour.
- After an hour, pour boiling water down the drain to flush everything out.
- If that doesn’t work, you can try again with more baking soda and vinegar, or you can try using a plunger or snake.
- But chances are good that baking soda and vinegar will solve your problem.
Reach For Your Sink Plunger
If your sink is still clogged after trying the baking soda and vinegar method, you can try using a plunger. First, ensure enough water is in the sink to cover the plunger’s cup.
If not, add some more water. Put the plunger over the drain and push and pull it up and down vigorously for a few minutes. You should feel resistance as you do this; if you don’t, reposition the plunger to form a tighter seal.
Once you’ve been going at it for a few minutes, try running hot water down the drain again to see if that does the trick.
Use A Drain Snake
If the plunger method doesn’t work, you can try using a drain snake. A drain snake is a long, flexible piece of metal that you insert into the drain to break up clogs. You can find drain snakes at most hardware stores.
To use one, insert it into the drain and twist it around until you feel resistance. Once you hit something, twisting it will help to break up the clog. Keep twisting and pushing until the clog starts to move, then pull the snake out of the drain and run hot water down to flush everything away.
Remove and Clean Out The Plumbing Assembly Under Your Sink
1. Before you do anything, ensure the power to your sink is turned off. This will help prevent any accidents from happening while you work. Next, locate the main shut-off valve for your home’s water and turn it off. Now would be a good time to wear gloves to protect your hands from getting dirty or cut.
2. The next step is to remove everything from under your sink so that you can access the plumbing assembly. This may include removing the garbage disposal unit, dishwasher drain hose, and other items in the way. Once everything is removed, you should be able to see the P-trap, which is located between the two drain pipes beneath your sink.
3. Using a wrench or pliers, loosen and remove the nuts holding the P-trap. You may need to use a little bit of force to get them loose. With the P-trap removed, you should see the clean-out plug at the bottom of one of the drain pipes. Use a wrench or pliers to remove this plug so that you can clean out any debris that may have accumulated over time.
