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How do I fix my stopped up sink without spending a lot of money?
My kitchen sink is stopped up and the water is going from one side to the other. It took forever for the water to go down in both sides and everytime you put something in one side it goes to the other sink. The pipes are metal.We tried drano, it didn't work. How do I fix it without spending a lot of money?
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I would try this first(it worked for me), dip all the water out of the sink(use a sponge to sop up the last of it) then pour a little Dawn dish detergent into both drains. Pour some boiling water into the sink(be careful when plunging that you don't burn yourself)then take a small plunger and just keep plunging one side and then the other. It took mine about 20 min.to break loose.Try putting the stopper in one side and plunging the other then reverse sides. If it doesn't work you will probably have to try one of the methods that the others suggested. Good luck!
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One thing you can try before calling the plumber and does not require a lot of mechanical aptitude is a s follows.
You will need the following: A bucket, An 8" or 10" Pipe wrench. If you don't own a pipe wrench you can get one fairly cheap at Lowe's or Home Depot.
Look under the sink. Follow the drain pipe down from the sink until it comes to a place where it starts to bend into what looks like a "U". This is called a "Trap"
Probably 90% of all clogs happen in the trap from built up grease, hair, soap scum and anything else we put down the sink.
Unless you live in a really old house, you will find two threaded couplings on either side of the "U" shape. These couplings are installed this way so the trap can be removed and cleaned out.
Put the bucket under the trap. Take you pipe wrench and adjust it so that it closes snugly around the coupling and loosen the couplings. Remember left to loosen and right to tighten. You only need the wrench to loosen the coupling then you can fully uncouple using your hands, holding the trap in one hand and the coupling in the other.
Once uncoupled turn the trap over into the bucket to drain. Even though the trap is plastic it may be heavier than expected if it is filled with sentiment.
Tape the trap outside and using a screwdriver or a wire coat hanger clean as much of the sentiment as you can from the pipe. Then rinse with a garden hose. When clean reinstall the trap first hand tightening the couplings then take your pipe wrench and give the couplings no more than another half turn. Run some water to check for leaks if there is a leak tighten the coupling a little more to stop the leak.
Your problem should be solved.
IF, if you happen to break the pipe DON'T PANIC. take the pieces to the plumbing department at home depot or Lowe's and they will find the correct pieces needed to replace what has broken and will even put them together for you.
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If drano did not work, consider renting or purchasing a snake, if you are unable to take the pipes apart. (My sink backed up recently, and I just took the pipes out to find a clog in it, cleaning it) But snakes are very helpful for those who don't know how to remove piping and put them back properly. You can get them at many hardware stores, and are very easy to use. You simple put the snake in, and once it can go no further in, simply turn (twist, or however the instructions say) and it usually just "grabs" the clog and helps you pull it out. Should this not work, then you may have to call a plumber in, or rent the electric snake, (I believe that's what they are.. They are motorized) as these are MUCH longer, and you usually plug them into an outlet. Also try speaking with your landlord, and have him/her take care of it, as it is their duty to do so. Unless stated otherwise in your lease agreement. But if the draining is much closer, (you notice the water backing up faster than slower) Then chances are you'll only need a small pipe snake.
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