How to Deal With a Sluggish or Clogged Kitchen Drain

Even in newer houses, there comes a time when the kitchen drain starts draining slower and slower. If something isn’t done about it, the chances are that sooner or later it will plug up completely. The really good news is that there really is something you can do about it, without the expense of calling in the plumber or getting out your pipe wrench, assuming that you have one.

The buildup is normal and usually occurs mostly in the trap, which is the U-shaped drain pipe that is normally a short distance below the bottom of the sink. Oils and soap, along with food particles, tend to build up there. If you’ve ever cooked meat, let it cool, then looked at the solidified fat, you have an idea of how this happens.

The trap cools the fats in the same way, too, and the gunk can build up. Dish soap contains fats, too, which adds to the problem. Flushing the drain with hot water can slow down the buildup process, but it won’t eliminate it.

The old way of unclogging the drain

In the past, the solution was to grab the Draino or caustic soda. This is sodium hydroxide and it is a very powerful alkali. The idea is to let it chew through and dissolve the gunk that is preventing the drain water from flowing.

There are three big problems with caustic soda. First, it is quite dangerous to use. Sodium hydroxide is quite capable of chewing through flesh and if there is anything acidic in the drain, it can splatter. Getting some in your eyes is serious.

Second, it is harmful to septic tanks and sewer lines because it can kill any helpful bacteria. It can also eventually contaminate water supplies.

Third, many if not most drain pipes are now made out of rigid plastic PVC pipe. When sodium hydroxide works in water, it generates a great deal of heat. At times, it can actually melt the PVC pipe, which makes matters even worse than the sluggish drain.

The safe way of correction

Still, there is a solution to the problem and it is far simpler than many people would think. It also relies on an alkali and the reaction alkali has with acid, but neither the alkali or acid is as strong or dangerous to work with.

Simply pour a half cup of baking soda or sodium bicarbonate down the drain, then flush this with a cup of vinegar. Note: Always pour the baking soda first and pour the vinegar into it, to prevent spattering.

What happens is that the baking soda and vinegar react, producing carbon dioxide. It bubbles and foams. At the same time, the bubbling action breaks free the caked on gunk.

Allow the combination to sit for about 5-10 minutes, then flush it all with hot water. If necessary, this can be repeated and should be done about once per week. Washing soda can also be used instead of baking soda if you wish, but baking soda is usually less expensive.

This has the added benefit of removing disagreeable odors. Both baking soda and vinegar are well known for their ability to get rid of odors around the kitchen and elsewhere. They also aren’t harmful for the environment. Both break down easily and naturally and since both are used at the same time, they neutralize each other.

Incidentally, this works on garbage disposals, too.

By using this method, you can take care of sluggish drains. In fact, if you do this once a week or so, you can even prevent the buildup to begin with.

I love easy house cleaning tips that save time, effort, and money.