How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink With a Plunger
The drains on most kitchen sinks tend to endure a great deal of abuse. Chunks of discarded food, hair, dirt and grease can make their way down the drain unnoticed. Eventually the sink becomes plugged up with debris, leaving you a basin full of stagnant, dirty water with nowhere to go. In most cases the problem can be fixed with a simple, standard plunger. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Dip any standing water or other debris out of the sink basin. When plunging the sink, you don't want to force more gunk into the drain, worsening the clog. Use a cup to dip the water into a bucket.
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2
Heat a large pot of water on your kitchen stove. Heat enough water to fill the clogged sink basin to a depth of 3 to 4 inches.
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Put on a pair of rubber cleaning gloves while you wait for the water to come to a slow boil. Once the water begins to boil, slowly pour it into the sink. Be careful not to splash water on any exposed skin.
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4
Wait approximately 20 minutes for the hot water to loosen the clog. During this time the water should cool down enough so you won't get burned while you plunge.
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5
Place the plunger directly over the plugged drain, tilting the head of the plunger so it fills with water instead of air. It is the force of water down through the drain and pipes that loosens the clog. Plunging air into the pipes will not work. Also ensure that the rubber head of the plunger is sealed around the drain opening.
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Push the plunger straight down. Use a sudden, stabbing motion to plunge the drain. Repeatedly plunge the drain at least 20 times. On the last plunge, lift up quickly on the plunger so you break the seal with a "pop." This will provide a sudden burst of suction that may help dislodge the clog.
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Continue plunging until the drain is clear.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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Comments
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does this really twerk.
