Clearing the Trap under my Kitchen Sink
+13
Does anyone have a video of how to clear or change the trap under my kitchen sink. I am a single mom and have NO CLUE what I am doing but my dishwasher backs up into my one drain and that drain doesn't drain either
12 answers
-
One trick I use and tell my clients about is the hot water treatment. Kitchen drains see grease and oil. since most people do not "hand wash" much these drain may not see regular use of very hot water. About every 3-4 months I "flush" my kitchen drains with very hot water, I'll turn my hot water heater up to very hot...and wait for it to come to temp. then run 10 to 15 gallons of pure hot...this longer flow allows any loosened or melted grease residue to clear all of the in house plumbing. A gallon or so is not enough to warm the drain piping to prevent it from coagulating further down the line. After you do this turn the water heater back down to normal. If this does not help, you can remove the lower U shaped piece of the p trap, by unscrewing the 2 nuts that hold it in place. having bucket below this will catch any spillage. With the U bend out you can wash it and rinse it at another sink , like int he bath. If the U bend is clear when you pull it out the problem may lie further downstream. The tail of the p trap will connect to the wall fitting with a nut just like on the U portion. I like to run my drain snake from that opening.
KMS Woodworks
on Apr 30, 2013
-
Do you have a video or a pic of what your talking about.
Teresa Soukup
on Apr 30, 2013
-
if you mean the u shaped piece under the sink it unscrews put something under it to catch water it will be disgusting take outside and run water thru it until clean you may have to push some of the gunk out a wire hanger bent into long piece will do the trick xx
Chris aka monkey
on Apr 30, 2013
-
Here is a video http://www.ehow.com/video_7847035_clean-p_trap.html
KMS Woodworks
on Apr 30, 2013
-
Awesome. I am so mad. It is that easy. REALLY. I feel Dumb. LOL Thanks.
Teresa Soukup
on Apr 30, 2013
-
The sad part is some plumbers charge 60 to 80 bucks an hour for that...LOL.
KMS Woodworks
on May 01, 2013
-
You might try using a plunger as well. Use it gently on a sink, though. They make sink plungers for this that you can buy as well! Also, it's best to not run food waste through the garbage disposer unless you really have to. It just adds to build up.
Hamtil Construction LLC
on May 01, 2013
-
Good luck...once you get it cleaned out, do not put grease of any kind down the sink. I even use paper towels to wipe out my skillets and any dishes where grease has formed! A lot of let the dishwasher can get the grease off...which it does...but it just goes right down the drain!
Jeanette S
on May 02, 2013
-
I did a repair some years ago in one of my client's rentals. The P-trap was half full of congealed bacon grease mixed with coffee grounds. Obviously these younger folks needed to learn some common sense. The grease plug was just above the water level in the trap, cold water of the trap caused the grease to harden before it passed through.
KMS Woodworks
on May 02, 2013
-
OH YEAH. THANK YOU!!!!!!!! I can use everything again. I cannot believe how stupidly simple it was. To think. I was going to pay someone to come out and do it. YEAHHHHHHHHH I am GLAD I DIDNT.
Teresa Soukup
on May 02, 2013
-
If cleaning the P-trap doesn't do the trick you may have a clog in the dishwasher drain pipe. Most dishwashers pumps will grind up any food particles to help them flush out easier however sometimes they can collect in the dishwasher drain tube. To clear this pull you dishwasher out from the cabinets ( there are 2 screws under the edge of the counter top at the top of the dishwasher ) and disconnect the tube from both ends and clean it out. I save old jars and pour any grease into them and replace the lid and them throw them in the trash. saves a lot of problems with my drains.
Eric Turner
on Feb 01, 2015
-
I'm one that used poor judgement. Not thinking, I dumped sauerkraut down my garbage disposal and it clogged the drain. Not in the trap but past the angle to vertical waste pipe. Can't get the snake to turn that corner. Now, I have no choice but to have someone come in to fix it. Careful what you put down your disposals.
Rosey
on Feb 15, 2015
- See 1 previous
Sign Up to Answer
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
