How To Unclog A Double Kitchen Sink Without A Garbage Disposal?

A garbage disposal unit attached to a double kitchen sink might encounter obstructions, causing clogs. But how can you unclog a double sink in the kitchen if it doesn't have a garbage disposal? We searched for the solution to this problem, and here’s what we found.

Unclogging a double kitchen sink with no garbage disposal attached to that plumbing fixture is possible using relatively common household items. The steps to potentially complete this task are:

1. Remove the sink strainer and wipe it with an old cloth or rag.
2. Insert a sink stopper into one of the drains without the clog.
3. Pour water into the clogged sink and place a petroleum jelly-smeared plunger on top of it.
4. Pump the drain using the plunger until the blockage dislodges.

Take note that the steps mentioned above aren't the only solution you can try to unclog a double kitchen sink. Continue reading as we talk about alternate solutions that may help solve this problem. We'll also tackle the above process in greater detail.

How Do You Unclog A Double Kitchen Sink Without A Garbage Disposal?

Make sure to practice proper safety measures before proceeding with this task. Always remember that direct skin contact with filth and gunk may result in allergic reactions or other health issues. So wear disposable gloves and other safety equipment to reduce the risks of health hazards while unclogging your double kitchen sink.

After making the necessary precautions, continue this operation by following these steps:

What You’ll Need

• Old cloth or rag
• Plunger
• Sink stopper
• Petroleum jelly

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Take out the sink strainer from the double sink and remove any unclean substances from it using the old cloth or rag.
2. Insert the sink stopper into the unclogged drain.
3. Turn on the faucet and direct it to the clogged drain hole. Pour water into that area until you fill it a quarter or halfway.
4. Smear petroleum jelly to the plunger’s rim and put it on top of the clogged drain hole.
5. Pump the drain hole with the plunger vigorously until you can remove the clog.

Keep in mind that using a plunger might become tiring after several tries. You may want to rest after 10 to 12 pumps before reattempting to remove the blockage from the kitchen sink. If the clog doesn’t go away after many pumping sets, it might be time to call a professional plumber for expert assistance.

If your kitchen sink has a garbage disposal and the assembly has a clog because of standing water, read our post on that topic to know the solution.

How Do You Unclog A Double Sink With Baking Soda And Vinegar?

Using baking soda and vinegar may help remove a clog from a double sink if the plunger method was unsuccessful.

What You’ll Need

• Baking soda
• White vinegar

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain.
2. Dispense about a cup of baking soda to the clogged drain.
3. Let the baking soda sit for about 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Add a cup of white vinegar to the clogged drain. The mixture should fizz or foam at this point.
5. Let the mixture sit for another 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Pour another pot of boiling water down the drain.
7. Turn on the hot water line for your double kitchen sink and let it run for about 5 minutes.

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You can also watch a visual representation of this process through the video below:

Perhaps you found multiple issues with your sink after accomplishing this task. At this point, you might think that it's best to replace the fixture instead of wasting additional time and money repairing it. If so, read our post on how long will it take to replace a kitchen sink to help guide you in this endeavor.

What Is The Best Homemade Drain Cleaner?

It’s important to note that the best homemade drain cleaner is subjective. In other words, some techniques may work in certain scenarios while other methods might not provide satisfactory results.

Thankfully, homeowners may try different approaches to clean their drains and sinks using fairly common household items. Aside from using a plunger or a baking soda + white vinegar mixture, other ways to remove filth buildup in these plumbing fixtures are:

Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

Organic lemon juice is a good cleaner because of its high citric acid content. It also has a low pH value and antibacterial traits to help remove harmful bacteria in and around different plumbing fixtures. If combined with baking soda, the cleaning efficiency of both substances can improve.

Follow these steps if you want to try this drain-cleaning method:

1. Pour ½-cup baking soda down the drain.
2. Dispense ½-cup pure lemon juice afterward.
3. Let the mixture sit for about an hour.
4. Pour boiling water into the drain.

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Borax, Salt, and Vinegar

Also called sodium borate, Borax is an organic compound typically located in dry lake beds. It has cleaning properties, allowing product manufacturers to put it in different products like mouthwash, toothpaste, and various cosmetics.

Mixing Borax with salt and vinegar can help enhance the cleaning capabilities of each of these ingredients. Follow these steps to use this method to clean your sink:

1. Pour ¼-cup of salt down the drain.
2. Dispense ¼-cup of Borax afterward.
3. Allow ½-cup of vinegar to flow down the drain.
4. Pour a pot of boiling water.
5. Let the components sit for about an hour.
6. Open the hot water line closest to the drain to rinse the residue.

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Salt and Baking Soda

Both salt and baking soda are quite common in many households, which can make this technique a good choice for emergency drain-cleaning operations. These steps will guide you if you want to attempt this procedure:

1. Mix ½-cup baking soda and ½-cup table salt in a bowl or container.
2. Pour the mixture down the drain and let it sit overnight.
3. Clean the residue by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain.

Why Is Water Coming Back Up My Double Kitchen Sink?

Aside from the typical obstruction, water can come back up a double kitchen sink because of different reasons. These other causes include (but aren’t limited to):

Overpowered Dishwasher

Some home plumbing setups may connect the lines for the dishwasher and the double kitchen sink. If so, using a powerful dishwasher can push water to the sink. Replacing the dishwashing appliance may help solve this issue.

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Clogged Main Drain Line

If the double kitchen sink and other plumbing fixtures in the property experience slow to non-existent water drainage, the main drain line might have a blockage. Take note that this pipe often leads to the municipal sewer line. So it may require heavy equipment and expert help to repair.

How Do I Stop My Sink From Clogging?

Homeowners can reduce the instances of their sinks clogging by paying attention to certain actions. Some of these preventive measures are:

• Don’t throw food down drains, particularly for models without garbage disposal units.
• Throw large, solid foods in trash bins instead of garbage disposal units.
• Keep thick liquids, such as shampoo and oil, out of sinks and drains.
• Use drain catchers to prevent solid objects from entering drains.
• Don’t put hygiene products like feminine napkins and toilet papers down drains.

Take note that there are some exceptions to these guidelines. For example, you can throw some hygiene products that dissolve in the water down drains and sinks.

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What Is The Cost Of Hire A Plumber To Unclog Kitchen Sink?

The average professional plumbing service generally costs about $100 to $275. Many plumbers price their overheads using hourly rates. But some technicians in this niche may price their offerings per project.

Also, plumbers’ professional services may vary in price based on different factors like:

• Overall labor
• Travel expenses
• Accessibility to the problem area
• Additional repairs and replacements found on-site

On the other hand, homeowners that wish to forego  plumbing expenses may want to use DIY methods to save money. But keep in mind that these costs may depend on the solution used. For example, a drain snake may cost about $10 to $30, while chemical cleaners often fall under the price range of $5 to $70.

Final Words

Unclogging a double kitchen sink if it doesn't have garbage disposal is a relatively DIY-friendly job. You may only need some household items, such as a plunger and an old cloth to complete this task. If this problem is quite serious, you may need to contact professional plumbing services for help.