Learn how to unclog a kitchen sink with standing water with this simple guide outlining several different DIY approaches.
We’ve probably all been there — you approach the sink with plans to use it and find that it’s filled with a disgusting mess of standing water. Or, you use it and pull the drain and… nope, still full. Now what? We’re here to help you with this guide on how to unclog a kitchen sink with standing water.
Let’s face it, I’m no plumber. So when I come into a mess of sink clogs (or really any clog, for that matter), I don’t want to go to extreme measures to fix it right from the start. Nor will I want to spend a ton of money.
However, clogged kitchen sinks can become dangerous. Not only is poorly draining water a serious slip-and-fall hazard in the kitchen, but ignored issues in a house’s plumbing can become costly and create broader damage that is harder to fix over time.
For your average clogged kitchen sink, you can employ a few simple methods to try to handle it yourself. As always, default to the advice of the true experts if necessary — these are just meant to be a helpful guide for what to try, but in extreme cases or worsening scenarios, call in the pros.
First Step to Unclog a Kitchen Sink with Standing Water
It will sound almost too simple, but the first thing to do is brave the depths of your gray water and see if you can feel anything at the opening of the drain for the sink.
Sometimes, food or other debris may block your sink at the surface level. Reaching in (ick) and pulling out any offending pieces will at least help solve your drainage issues, even if the problem lies deeper within the system. Use gloves if you don’t want to handle the slimy mess!
You may need to remove standing water to inspect the situation. Often, I have no clear idea why this has happened in the first place — it’s either something that occurred while I wasn’t around (thanks, kids) or something that built up over time. Regardless, the first step is inspecting the situation for the obvious.
If you can’t feel anything at the mouth of the drain, the next best step is to take a look.
To do this, you will want to remove as much standing water as possible from the sink. Using a bucket or cup, scoop out all the water you can to provide yourself with a clear view and a minor problem. Use a flashlight if necessary to see if there’s anything just out of reach of the top of the sink drain.
If the answer isn’t obvious at this point, it’s time to tackle the clog another way.
Next Steps If That Doesn’t Work
Well, it would be really easy if the most obvious answer was the right one this time, but I have a feeling you’re here because there was no evident blockage in plain view.
So, let’s move forward from there!
With the standing water removed (to whatever degree possible), you can now approach the next steps for unblocking a kitchen sink that won’t drain:
Plunger Method to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink
A plunger is a good way to use the force of air to dislodge stubborn clogs. This is why you may have used it for your toilet a time or two.
When it comes to kitchen sinks, you may have a setup that includes two sides with two separate drains. If so, plug the drain that is not clogged with a wet rag or a drain plug.
If both sides are backed up, you can attempt to plug one to create more resistance. It may not be necessary.
Place your plunger over the clogged drain and form a strong seal. Press the plunger down to create suction, and then thrust the plunger up and down using a pushing and pulling motion, keeping the seal intact.
Use moderate force, as you do not want to cause excessive suction or forced air that may disrupt the plumbing system.
Remove the plunger and see if the water can drain. If not, repeat once more.
Assuming you have given this your best shot and nothing has worked, it’s time to move on to another method.
Use a Natural Drain Cleaner
Our first attempt at clearing the drain will be to create a natural drain cleaner. You can make a drain cleaner that clears out tough sink clogs using items you probably already have on hand in the kitchen.
After removing as much standing water as possible, we suggest a vinegar and baking soda drain rinse. You already know I love to clean my appliances with vinegar, and all-purpose vinegar cleaners in my home are my instant go-to. I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear I like to try to handle clogs in the sink using vinegar, as well!
Pour one cup of baking soda into the drain that is clogged, directly into the mouth of the drain so as much baking soda as possible falls into the pipes below.
Pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into the drain, then cover with a plug, stopper, or wrung-out wet rag. Allow the mixture to set in the pipes for approximately an hour.
If you’ve ever done the old baking soda and vinegar volcano, you know that these two natural cleaners have quite a fizzy reaction. This pressure — combined with the acidity of the vinegar and the grease-fighting power of the baking soda — can help break up clogs into pieces small enough to move through the system.
Remove the P-Trap to Unclog the Drain
For very stubborn clogs that do not respond to other methods, your next step is delving into the system itself.
For this task, you will need channel lock pliers and a large, empty bucket. I also recommend rags and/or paper towels. It’s not fun, but there’s a good chance this will solve your drainage issue!
Place the empty bucket under the P-trap. This is a pipe with a curve that creates a barrier between your home and sewer gas and odor. You will find a P-trap in any plumbing system that uses a drain and accepts sanitary waste, such as tubs, showers, and sinks.
Use channel lock pliers to loosen the nuts on each side of the P-trap. Remove the trap and inspect for clogs and obstructions. You will have to clean out material or debris manually.
Once the trap is clear, realign it with the drain line and fasten the nuts on each side of the trap to secure it to the drain again. Turn the faucet on to test the sink’s drainage. If the water continues to back up in the sink, you have isolated the issue to a clog further down the drain line.
Can You Use Drano to Unclog a Kitchen Sink with Standing Water?
If plunging and/or the natural drain cleaner helped make some progress but not quite enough, you can use a chemical drain cleaner to thoroughly attack any clogs in your system.
Look for chemical drain cleaners that are septic safe if you have a septic system, and always be sure to reintroduce beneficial bacteria to your septic by flushing a tablespoon of active dry yeast down the toilet after treatment. (You can do this anyway regularly to keep the septic thriving!)
Follow the instructions on the back of the jug and allow it to set for the recommended time.
Use extreme caution when handling chemical drain cleaners. It is important to carefully read all instructions to prevent injury or damage.
How to Prevent Kitchen Sink Clogs
Follow these tips so you don’t find yourself in a situation where you have to search “how to unclog a kitchen sink with standing water” in the future!
- Don’t dump fats, oils, and grease down the drain: Avoid dumping grease and oil from meat like ground beef, frying pans, and other food waste down the drain. Grease creates a layer of soft fat that is difficult to remove from pipes. It can also disrupt sewer and septic systems. If you accidentally rinse grease down the drain, remedy this by using extra dish soap and hot water to clean the pipes. (Remember how useful a good grease-cutting dish soap is for cleaning copper pans! )
Allow the grease to cool and transfer it to a container, such as a used jar with a lid, for disposal. You can also allow it to fully congeal and toss it in the trash can by scraping it with a spatula or wiping it with a piece of paper towel.
Remove as much as possible into the trash receptacle before washing dishes to ensure that as little grease and oil as possible make its way into your plumbing system. To cook with less grease, consider trying an air fryer rather than frying your foods in oil.
- Use a sink strainer: Sink strainers can help trap debris such as food, hair, or other materials before they reach the drain. There are a variety of styles and brands available. Some top picks from Amazon include the TubShroom, which advertises the ability to catch hair and debris without blocking the flow of water.
You can also purchase strainers that rest in the drain portion of your sink. For a finer catch, try smaller mesh. Some of these are dishwasher safe and, therefore, easy to disinfect and keep spotless! - Clean regularly: A monthly vinegar and baking soda pipe rinse in the kitchen sink will help dislodge smaller clogs or pieces of debris that may otherwise continue to accumulate in the system.
Baking soda and vinegar is an inexpensive and simple way to continue to treat and clean all sinks in your home for the best results. Using this method too often can contribute to the breakdown of seals and pipes in your system, so it’s advised to keep this method to a minimum. Prevention steps like those detailed above are ultimately best for overall drain health.
