Kitchen Sink Not Draining? Try This Before Calling a Plumber (Calgary)

Kitchen sinks are the single most common drain complaint we hear from Calgary homeowners, mostly because of how much passes through that one drain every day. Here's the order worth trying before booking a professional visit.

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Step 1: Try boiling water for a slow (not fully stopped) drain

If the sink is draining slowly rather than completely stopped, and there's no standing water covering the drain opening, pour boiling water down in two or three stages, letting it work for 20–30 seconds between pours. This can soften and move light grease buildup. Skip this step entirely if the sink has a garbage disposal with any plastic components, since boiling water can damage certain seals.

Step 2: Check and clear the disposal (if you have one)

If the sink has a garbage disposal, make sure it isn't jammed — most units have a manual reset button on the bottom, and a hex-key hole for manually rotating the blades if needed. A jammed disposal can mimic a drain clog, but clearing the jam is a different fix entirely.

Step 3: Plunge the drain

Fill the sink with a couple of inches of water, cover any second basin or the dishwasher air gap opening if your sink has one (otherwise you'll just be pushing air through those instead of the clog), and plunge with firm, steady strokes. This clears a surprising number of standard kitchen clogs.

Step 4: Use a hand snake for anything the plunger doesn't fix

If plunging doesn't work, a basic hardware-store hand snake fed down through the drain opening (or through the P-trap if you remove it) can often reach and break up a clog a plunger couldn't. Feed it in gently and stop at the first sign of resistance rather than forcing it further.

Step 5: Call for professional drain cleaning if it's still not clearing

If none of the above works, or the clog clears temporarily and comes back within days, the blockage is likely further down the line than a sink-level attempt can reach — or there's enough grease buildup along the pipe walls that only motorized equipment will fully clear it.

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What Causes This So Often in Kitchen Sinks Specifically

Even careful dishwashing sends small amounts of grease, oil, and food particles down the drain constantly. Over months, this builds up along the interior of the pipe the same way it would in an artery — gradually narrowing the usable space until normal flow slows to a crawl, then stops.

The Professional Fix

Three North Clean clears kitchen sink drains with mechanical snaking at a flat $210–$285, with no hourly surprises. Most jobs are same-day or next-day in Calgary. Book a visit or call (587) 225-2077.

Related Reading

• Clogged Drain in Calgary? Here's What to Do Right Now
• Why Calgary Drains Clog: Hard Water, Grease, and What Actually Causes It
• DIY Drain Snaking vs. Calling a Professional in Calgary