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Clog in kitchen sink drain (Original Post) no_hypocrisy May 2021 OP
Try pulling the P trap Sherman A1 May 2021 #1
There's a barrier in the drain and I don't know how to remove to allow access of the snake. no_hypocrisy May 2021 #2
The p trap is under the sink Sherman A1 May 2021 #4
Zip-it. piddyprints May 2021 #3
On my way to Lowes. THANK YOU!!!! no_hypocrisy May 2021 #5
You're welcome. piddyprints May 2021 #7
Full strength Clorox poured down the drain. dhol82 May 2021 #6
Stay Away from Caustic Drain Cleaner Best_man23 May 2021 #8
Get a bucket JT45242 May 2021 #9
Update: Bought a new plunger no_hypocrisy May 2021 #10
Any issues with any other drains? Phoenix61 May 2021 #11
No washing machine. B/R sink fine. Tub OK. no_hypocrisy May 2021 #13
I've had sewer back-ups and they always hit the tub first Phoenix61 May 2021 #14
If you have a cleanout outside your house, you can peek down there to see if it is backed up. Midnight Writer May 2021 #20
that is normal gunk for drains, especially kitchen Kali May 2021 #21
is it a double sink? rampartc May 2021 #12
Single sink no_hypocrisy May 2021 #15
makes it simpler. rampartc May 2021 #18
Not necessarily a sewer back up. Sludge that has been sitting in the drain pipe is very nasty stuff ratchiweenie May 2021 #16
So, I should keep "plunging"? no_hypocrisy May 2021 #17
Not necessarily but just saying it's not necessarily sewage so at least you don't have to ratchiweenie May 2021 #25
My dad used to get up on the roof and snake out the vent pipe Warpy May 2021 #19
agree with others that say clean out P trap Kali May 2021 #22
Epilogue no_hypocrisy May 2021 #23
What a relief. My cousin pours a can of coke down her drain and lets it sit over night every month. ratchiweenie May 2021 #24

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
4. The p trap is under the sink
Wed May 26, 2021, 07:25 AM
May 2021

I would suggest going to YouTube for some videos to follow that would explain it better than I can here.

piddyprints

(14,815 posts)
3. Zip-it.
Wed May 26, 2021, 07:22 AM
May 2021

It’s a long barbed plastic stick you can get at Lowe’s or other stores. Stick it down the sink and it will pull out all sorts of stuff. They say not to reuse it, likely because you could cut yourself on the barbs. But I rinse mine off and carefully dry it. I’ve had the same one for several years.

dhol82

(9,440 posts)
6. Full strength Clorox poured down the drain.
Wed May 26, 2021, 07:28 AM
May 2021

Let sit for half an hour and then pour boiling water.
I used about a cup of Clorox. Worked for me. Not sure what it did to the pipes.

Best_man23

(5,124 posts)
8. Stay Away from Caustic Drain Cleaner
Wed May 26, 2021, 07:43 AM
May 2021

Used that crap once, and ended up with a chemical burn on my hand that took months to heal.

Recommend removing the P-trap, and cleaning the entire pipe from the drain out to the wall stub.

no_hypocrisy

(48,813 posts)
10. Update: Bought a new plunger
Wed May 26, 2021, 08:15 AM
May 2021

New information:

I believe there has been sewer/sludge back-up. When I pull up the plunger, black/grey putrid water and particles come up.

I have a fine-mesh screen over the drain to prevent food particles from going down. And this just happened last night.

I may need a plumber in case this goes into the wall.

Phoenix61

(17,649 posts)
11. Any issues with any other drains?
Wed May 26, 2021, 08:27 AM
May 2021

Did you do a load of laundry last night? If not it sounds like a sink clog. Taking the p-trap apart is a pretty simple job. A pair of channel locks and some plumbers tape so it doesn’t leak when you put it back together.

no_hypocrisy

(48,813 posts)
13. No washing machine. B/R sink fine. Tub OK.
Wed May 26, 2021, 08:47 AM
May 2021

It's a clog alright, but it's smelly black brackish water. I really think it's a sewer back up

Phoenix61

(17,649 posts)
14. I've had sewer back-ups and they always hit the tub first
Wed May 26, 2021, 08:53 AM
May 2021

Tub/shower drains are lower than all the sink drains. Guess it would depend on the plumbing but anywhere I’ve ever lived the tub backs up first, usually during the spin cycle on the washing machine.

rampartc

(5,835 posts)
12. is it a double sink?
Wed May 26, 2021, 08:47 AM
May 2021

if so you are not plunging the drain, but the other side of the sink. i use a second plunger to cover that second drain while i plunge the 1st one.

ratchiweenie

(7,924 posts)
16. Not necessarily a sewer back up. Sludge that has been sitting in the drain pipe is very nasty stuff
Wed May 26, 2021, 09:58 AM
May 2021

and smells a lot like sewage. It's old grease, hair, food waste, etc. that's rotting so yes, it really smells.

ratchiweenie

(7,924 posts)
25. Not necessarily but just saying it's not necessarily sewage so at least you don't have to
Sun May 30, 2021, 12:02 PM
May 2021

worry about that nasty stuff coming up into your sink.

Warpy

(113,130 posts)
19. My dad used to get up on the roof and snake out the vent pipe
Wed May 26, 2021, 11:30 AM
May 2021

He never bothered with better living through chemistry.

Kali

(55,740 posts)
22. agree with others that say clean out P trap
Wed May 26, 2021, 07:07 PM
May 2021

put a bucket under it. your zip may be enough or you may need a snake, for further along.

no_hypocrisy

(48,813 posts)
23. Epilogue
Wed May 26, 2021, 07:30 PM
May 2021

I called my Landlord who called a plumber.

1. It was sludge.
2. P-Trap cleared. Some drilling/snaking was necessary.
3. Was instructed to use baking-soda-vinegar-hot water every month, sort of like flossing the pipes.

Thanks for your support and responses.

I'm catching up on washing my dishes, pots, and pans.

ratchiweenie

(7,924 posts)
24. What a relief. My cousin pours a can of coke down her drain and lets it sit over night every month.
Sun May 30, 2021, 12:01 PM
May 2021

Swears the corrosive ingredients in coke will clean out any drain. It's quick and cheap.

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