nothing declogs drains

17 years ago

I rarely used garbage disposal. The only time I used it was when I wanted to make sure nothing adhering to the pipe. I am a very careful person, so I always use drain strainer and never did I put anything into the sink. 4 months ago, a friends of mine came over and tried helping me with dishes after dinner. She ran disposal once. The next time, I wanted to use it, it did not even make any sound.

The reason I brought this up is because 2 months ago, the kitchen sink started having drainage problem. Is it something in the garbage disposal cause drainage problem? It has two sinks. The one with the garbage disposal is the one having the problem.

However, ever since we moved in 2 years ago, we have always had a problem on one of sinks in the bath. My side is running ok, but my husband's side is usually clogged. The house was new. Supposedly the sink should be new too, but my husband found a lot of hair there when he lifted the sink cap. He does not wash hair or doing anything that will leave residue into the sink. We have tried drano for the kitchen sink and the bath sink. It is not working, so we tried baking power followed by vinegar, and then hot water. Not working.

What should we do next? thanks

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Comments (4)

faucetman886
17 years ago
as I just answered on another thread you need to either auger your drains or call a plumber to do it. You can purchase a "snake" or auger at your local big box store or hardware store. This auger has a cutting head on the lead end that you thread in to your drain and as you turn the crank it cuts through the clogs. If you go 25 feet and have not cleared the clog you should probably consult a local plumber.
chueh
Original Author
17 years ago
sounds great!

Now, I will try that. Thank you much
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Billl
17 years ago
For the garbage disposal, i think you probably have another problem. If it worked before and now does not make a sound, the motor is probably seized up and cannot turn. The blade on the disposal that chops up your garbage sits on top of a metal plate with small holes in it. Normally, as the blade spins around, it chops the garbage into pieces small enough to fit through those holes. Now that the disposal has stopped working, even pretty small bits can clog those small holes.

BTW - you should have the disposal fixed or replaced. You really don't want electricity running to questionable appliances - especially one with water running through it. If you don't know what is wrong with it, assume it is dangerous and make sure the power switch stays off until you can someone look at it.
jake2007
17 years ago
Bill is correct about the disposal getting clogged with small stuff. Usually, it's not a big problem though. If the disposal was locked up, the overload switch will pop and it will then not make any sound at all.

Look at the bottom of the disposer for a red button. Press that button in and now briefly try the disposal. If it hums, but doesn't turn, see if there is a wrench in a pouch nearby. That wrench fits in a whole in the center of the bottom of the disposal and allow you to turn the disposal and un-jamb it.

Now... here's the part that you aren't going to like: Garbage disposers don't like to sit unused. They will corrode and lock up if they aren't used regularly.

Run water and run your disposer breifly every time you do dishes. You don't have to be that careful with food- just don't put grease down the disposal.

Here's another tip: You can clean the disposer and keep it in good working order by running water and putting a tray or two of ice down it while it's running. The ice is solid enough that it will clean the corrosion and gunk off the insides as it is being ground up. If the drain starts to back up, just wait for a few minutes for the crushed ice to melt in the pipes.