Kitchen sink and drain clogged with grease: how to unclog

Grease can build up in the drain of your kitchen sink. This can slow the water flow down. After a while, your sink will drain very slowly. Let’s take a look at how this can be fixed.

It is not recommended that you use chemicals as they can corrode or break your drains. The best way is to use a plunger (more on that later). If that doesn’t work, you might have to climb under the sink and inspect it. Let’s discuss this further.

You can also try vinegar with hot water to remove the grease from the drain. This will only work for smaller clogs though.

For bigger clogs, we will have to use stronger tools. Let’s take a look at this.

Use a plunger to unclog a kitchen sink with grease

Let’s take a look at how we can fix more stubborn clogs. With the right tool, we should get this fixed in no time. In some cases, more work will be needed.

Step 1: Check if other sinks drain well in the house. It is possible that the city system or your main system has a problem and blocks up your whole house (we have discussed how to clear the main sewer here).

If there is only a problem with one sink, it is time to get a plunger. The plungers for sinks are different for toilets. In some instances, you can fold the plunger so that it can be used for both. Fill the sink with water (you might have to remove nearby electric appliances). Once this is done, you place the plunger over the outlet of the sink. You give it a few pushes and see if this removes the clog.

Plungers push water and oxygen down the drain. This can push the clog away and get it flowing again.

If this didn’t work, we will have to take a look under the sink. Grab a bucket and gloves before you start. There are different types of drains:

-Let’s start with the P-shaped part (this is often in plastic). If you are lucky, you can unscrew a part of this as there is a plastic piece that can be turned loose. You might need a tool to do this as it can be tightened quite hard. Place a bucket under this and check if something comes out of it. If it is a big clog, you can just replace this part as well.

If the drain is made out of PVC, you might have to cut it open or unglue it. Once this has been done and the repair is done, you will have to use PVC glue to install a new part.

-If it is a bottle-shaped part (this is often in metal), it might be possible to get the lowest part loose if it is metal. Simply turn on the metal parts. You might need to use quite a lot of force to do this so support the other parts of the drain. Check how everything fits together so you can reinstall it afterward.

Opening up the drain can already solve a lot of problems. If the clog is located further down the drain, we will need more advanced equipment.

Using an auger to unclog the drain

If this didn’t work, the problem is probably further in the pipes. We can use a plumbing snake or auger to reach this. You need to remove the S or P-trap before you can do this as it might get stuck there otherwise. This snake should be gently pushed down the pipes that go into the wall. Wear eye protection and gloves when you do this.

Plumbers generally use a camera to check what is going on before they use an auger or water pressure. This allows them to locate the problem. Once this is done, it is generally quite easy to remove the clog. All of this equipment can be rented in your local hardware store.

There are also attachments that you can use on your pressure washer. This is only for handy people. Be careful with this though as it is quite difficult to control the sprayer head. If you have a septic system, you shouldn’t use water pressure as it can affect your septic tank. Most people should just call a plumber at this point.

Grease clogs can be very stubborn and difficult to fix. In some cases, the plumber will have to dig up and replace the drains.

Drain cleaner to dissolve grease in a kitchen sink: does it work?

In a gist, yes drain cleaners such as Drano can dissolve grease and other organic matter. Any type of soft matter like grease and scum build-up can be easily tackled with the help of Drano. Within a span of 30 minutes, Drano can clear up clogged kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, shower drains, and garbage disposals.

This is why Drano has received wide acclaim from various reliable sources. In the year 2020, Drano Max Gel Clog Remover was hailed as the Best Overall Drain Cleaner by several magazines.

The most impressive quality about Drano, as noted by these critics, is its ability to dissolve clogs even in standing water. While it does sound magical, please note that Drano has its limitations. Certain kinds of clogs will inevitably require professional assistance. But in most cases, Drano works like a charm. Toward the end of this article, you will also learn some tips on keeping your drain pipes clear.

Given that Drano is quite strong, it is important to use gloves and other protective equipment. This makes sure that you stay safe while using this product.

Grease should be poured down the drain. You should collect it in a separate bin and throw it away. Grease builds up in the drain and can lead to big clogs as it is a sticky substance. In some cases, the drains even have to be replaced! This can be an expensive repair. Plumbers often charge more for this as it is a dirty job.

To conclude, we have discussed how you can remove grease from your kitchen sink and drain. In most cases, a plunger will do the job. In a more serious case, you might have to call a plumber to use stronger equipment.

Grease can have a big impact on your plumbing system. It can clog your main drain and break every toilet and sink in your house! For this reason, it is important to be considerate when you are throwing away grease. Don’t pour it down the drain as this can lead to clogs and other problems.