A clogged kitchen sink full of standing water is a common issue caused by built-up food debris, grease, and other materials going down the drain.
Unclogging a sink filled with backed-up water is possible without calling a plumber by removing the standing water, clearing any visible clogs, using boiling water, chemical drain cleaners, or a physical drain snake.
This comprehensive guide covers the top techniques for DIY unclogging a kitchen sink filled with standing water. Learn what causes sink clogs, step-by-step unclogging methods, and tips to prevent future clogged and flooding sinks.
What Causes Kitchen Sinks to Clog?
Several common kitchen materials routinely clog up sinks when washed down the drain:
- Coffee grounds and tea leaves – Coffee grounds and tea leaves release oils that stick to pipes and accumulate over time.
- Rice, pasta, grains – Small pieces slip through strainers and continue building up.
- Chopped vegetables – Bits of vegetables like carrots and celery fall through the drain.
- Grease and oils – Grease and oils solidify and coat pipes when washed down the drain.
- Dairy products – Butter, milk, and cheese can stick to pipes.
Regular buildup of these food items causes kitchen sink clogs and standing water backups.
How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink Filled with Water
For a sink full of standing water, unclogging involves these key steps:
Remove the Standing Water
Bail out excess water with a cup or bowl before starting. This allows you to see and access the drain. Pour removed water into a bucket, don’t back down other drains.
Clear Out Visible Clogs
Look for any food, grease, or debris that may be blocking the top of the drain. Remove anything visible by hand.
Boiling Water
Boil a full kettle of water and carefully pour it down the drain. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to melt grease clogs before trying the drain.
Chemical Drain Cleaner
Apply a commercial drain cleaner like Drano or Green Gobbler and let it sit to dissolve clogs overnight before rinsing.
Drain Snake
For deep clogs, use a metal drain snake to physically remove debris blocking the pipes. Feed the snake down the drain and twist to grab and pull up clogs.
How to Prevent Sink Clogs
Habits to avoid clogged drains include:
- Use drain catchers and strainers when washing vegetables, grains, etc.
- Wipe grease out of pans using paper towels before rinsing to avoid pouring grease down the drain.
- Collect coffee grounds, tea leaves, and food scraps and dispose in the trash.
- Pour used cooking oil into a container to solidify, then trash it instead of pouring down the drain.
- Run cold water when pouring fats like bacon grease into the drain to solidify it.
- Clean the sink drain regularly using boiling water or commercial enzyme cleaners to break up accumulated gunk.
FAQs About Unclogging Kitchen Sinks
How do you unclog a sink without a plunger?
Use a wire coat hanger straightened out to create an improvised snake, or boiling water, baking soda and vinegar, or a drain cleaner product instead of a plunger.
What is the fastest way to unclog a kitchen sink?
The fastest way is usually a commercial chemical drain cleaner or gel. They contain lye or sulfuric acid to quickly break down and dissolve clogs.
What home remedy works best for unclogging sinks?
For organic clogs, boiling water is highly effective. For grease or fat clogs, baking soda followed by vinegar to create a fizzing chemical reaction works well.
Why does my kitchen sink keep getting clogged?
Frequent kitchen sink clogs usually mean there is a gradual accumulation of debris, grease, and other gunk down the drain that needs periodic cleaning.
Should I call a plumber for a clogged kitchen sink?
For simple organic clogs, try DIY methods first. If you can’t unclog it using a drain snake, boiling water, or commercial drain cleaners, then call a plumber to professionally clear the blockage.
A clogged kitchen sink full of standing water can happen to anyone but is fixable using the right unclogging methods. Follow these tips to get your sink draining freely again. Let the water flow and avoid future clogging with some simple habit changes.
See more kitchen sink articles below:
Why Kitchen Sinks Are So Expensive
Why Kitchen Sinks Are Placed Under A Window
Why Kitchen Sinks Make Gurgling Noises
How To Replace A Kitchen Faucet
For over a decade, Robin has been a real estate agent, interior design specialist, and mother. Through her trials and tribulations, she wanted to create the perfect website to help you save money and make your home look beautiful.