Unclogging a Kitchen Sink Using Chemical Cleaners

There are almost as many different ways to unclog a kitchen sink as there are to clog one up. Before attempting to clear any clogged kitchen sink, there are some things that the amateur plumber needs to keep in mind. First of all before using any chemical cleaners, be sure that you fully read the instructions and only use the cleaner as instructed. Chemical cleaners are highly caustic materials that can easily cause chemical burns and other forms of damage to your body. Also, be sure that you do not use something that is too strong for your specific pipes or that you try using a plunger after pouring the material into the sink, as this could also lead to potential harm as well.

1. Determine if the clog is a total blockage or just a slow drain. If the drain is totally blocked and there is absolutely no draining at all, then do not use any type of liquid drain cleaner. This is because the cleaner will not remove the blockage, and you are going to be faced with a bigger problem of how to remove the now stagnant caustic water from the sink.
2. If your clogged sink has a garbage disposal, do not use any chemical cleaner. The chemical tends to react poorly with the disposal units. If you do have a clogged disposal unit, then you will need to use a different method to remove the blockage.
3. When choosing the type of cleanser that you are going to use, keep in mind the different types of clogs that you might be faced with. If you are faced with a clog that is made of primarily biological materials then use a cleaner that is more acidic. If the clog is something that is made up of grease, then use an alkaline cleaner.
4. Before using the cleaner, read the label totally and follow the instructions closely. You never want to mix different types of cleaners, as it can cause an adverse chemical reaction that can be harmful to people.
5. After pouring the cleanser into the drain wait for a minimum of five minutes before flushing some regular water down the drain. The blockage should now be cleared up, and if the drain is not working properly still, you may have to take more drastic measures to remove the blockage.