You are washing your dishes like you do every day when you look down and notice the water has stopped draining. A clogged sink is never fun to deal with and causes a bump in our day that can throw our moods off. It is one of the most common plumbing problems that people handle and reaching for the chemical fixes aren’t always the best idea. Using chemical drain cleaners can actually damage our system more than it helps even if it seems like it clears the clog initially. Here are some other repair methods you can try instead to protect your plumbing system.

Boiling Water

Boiling water is a useful solution that can help loosen any residue, debris, or grease that may be caught in the drain. It is easily accessible and a great strategy to start with first. You can boil about half a gallon of water and pour it down the sink to try to dislodge anything that is in there. Check your pipes before you dump the water down. If your sink uses PVC pipes you will want to skip this method. Hot water can cause PVC joints to loosen or damage the plastic.

Check Garbage Disposal

Sometimes the garbage disposal is the culprit when it comes to clogs. If it is overheated or not functioning properly, it may be preventing food and other debris from making its way down the drain. You can try resetting the disposal by flipping or pressing the reset on the side of the disposal. If it hums, this means the unit is experiencing issues. You can try to check it out yourself by unplugging the power cord and using tools to unclog it. Otherwise, if you aren’t sure how to tackle it, call a professional to come help you instead.