Home Repair Coverage in California – What to Do Before You Call the Plumber

Kitchen sinks can clog up due to food particles in the drain or from pouring oil or grease down the drain. Soap scum can build up on the walls of the pipes. Here are some tips for unclogging the drain that you can try before calling a plumber. With home repair coverage in California, you won’t worry about finding a reputable plumber or about repair costs.

1. Garbage Disposal
   The first thing to try is your garbage disposal. Run hot tap water while running the garbage disposal to see if it unclogs the sink. If it doesn’t work, you’ve still got some DIY options.

2. The Plunger
   You’ll want to get a kitchen plunger, which is smaller than the one you use in the bathroom. Create a tight seal with the plunger over the drain and plunge to try and remove the clog. You may need to repeat this a few times to get the clog out. If not, move on.

3. Break It Down
   Remove any standing water in the sink. Add one cup of baking soda to the drain. You may need to use a spoon to get it in the drain itself. Then add one cup of white vinegar to the drain. Cover the drain quickly and let it set for 15 minutes. Run hot tap water down the drain to help eliminate the clog.

4. Clean the P-Trap
   In many cases, the clog is in the elbow-shaped drain under the sink. You’ll need to disassemble the pipe to clean it out. Place a bucket under the drain to catch the mess. Unscrew the connectors. Remove the P-trap and clean it out. Reconnect it. Run hot tap water through the pipes. Consider a plumber for this step because it can be kind of gross. If you have appliance coverage in California that covers your plumbing, it’s easy to get a technician to help you with any problems.

5. Use a plumber’s snake.
   If the p-trap isn’t clogged, you may need to find a way to get deeper into the pipe. The plumber’s snake lets you do that. Push the tool into the drain a few feet at a time. Don’t get too rough, because you can easily push the clog deeper instead of using the tool to remove the clog.

Get a Home Warranty for Home Repair and Appliance Coverage in California

A top rated home warranty in California gives you peace of mind when you have a plumbing problem. Contact HomeGuard HomeWarranty today to discuss options for a home protection plan for your home in California, Nevada, or Arizona!