The drain isn't draining...

[jen74145]

After doing dishes last night, both of my drains in the kitchen sink are clogged; with what, I don't know. Plunged 'em out, nothing. Hubby plunged 'em out, nothing.
As a last resort, I poured Drano in one side through the cold nasty water, and let it sit overnight. Woke up this morning, and it didn't do anything.

So, now what do I do?
Thanks!

[The Paw]

If it is a double sink, and both sides aren't draining, that tells you the clog is somewhere below where the two sink drains connect. You can try snaking the drain, if you don't have a plumbers snake, you can often use a metal coat hanger or similar piece of stiff wire.

If the plumbing is newer, the trap underneath your sink may be ABS plastic that can be unscrewed on each end to let you take it off. Since you put Drano down there, don't take it off unless you are wearing rubber gloves and eye protection. If it comes off, check the trap as that is likely where the clog is. If not, it gives you an opportunity to snake the drain further down the line.

Sometimes the traps are installed with the glue that welds the plastic together instead of the screw on types. That makes it more difficult...then you are looking at snaking till you get it, or cutting it off and replacing it.

[Beeman]

I would say it's time to disassemble the drain pipes. Be very careful now that you have drano in there. It sounds like you have a solid clogging the pipe somewhere. Disassemble the P-trap under the sink, have a bucket under it and wear gloves and safety glasses now that the Drano is in there.

[jen74145]

Thank you so much!
Off to find some of hubby's work goggles and old dishwashing gloves.

[danb98577]

GO FURTHER.....It is time to find a pan, bucket, can and take the drain pieces apart. You probably have a clog in the wall where the drain line makes a 90 degree drop-if the drain is through the floor there is still a 90 degree, or at LEAST a 45 degree fitting somewhere nearby. Might be able to get it with a coat hanger, but it it generally more efficient to use one of those hand crank augers that store the cable in a container attached to the rig-the cheap augers on the dollar table at your hardware store are a mess and flig stuff everywhere, no matter how careful you are.
Probably grease, bits of food,etc lodged in a rough spot/joint and just grew from there. Be careful with the fittings, be prepared to buy new if they are metal and have some years on them. Hot water flushing after you get it cleaned out, and fill the traps once in a while with bleach and let set overnight-cuts the crud and it is not enough to hurt septic. Luck-Dan
Drano/drain cleaners-flip a coin on this-most conatain lye or similar ingredient-grease and lye make soap-often they combine in a drain pipe and make a plug of glop that causes more problems than it cures....

[Jay1]

BTDT with all the above. Worked most of time, but in September, kitchen sink wouldn’t drain. All the other plumbing worked though.

Guy in plumbing department, True Value, mentioned the “Air Blast”. Only cost $15, so bought it. Instant success! Wow! Told one of my kids that I think I’d found the ideal Christmas present! He laughed and said, “yep..they work”. Why had I never heard of this little devise? Most hardware stores carry them. It hooks up to your water and when you put in drain hole it pulsates and gives a blast. I know, not a very good description. But you might want to pick one up and try it.

edited to add: yeppers...when I posted this was playing...LOL

http://www.mamarocks.com/plumbers_boogie.htm

[Danny]

I read where to use a wet/dry shop vac to suck the clog out. I'm sure you will need to get a good seal on it.
I haven't tried it yet but it sound like it would work on some clogs.

[mtman]

i dont know what kind of weather you are having but could they be frozen just a thought

[seedspreader]

ON a double sink, if the plug is below the joint that joins the two drains, you CAN'T plunge them unless you plug the OTHER drain while plunging the one. You aren't getting a good seal for the plunger to do any good. You may know this already, but if not, try it again with someone holding the drain plug in the one side while you plunge. As everyone said, be careful not that there is draino in there.

[Highground]

If you have a basement go down there and look for a cleanout.

[morrowsmowers]

Originally Posted by ZealYouthGuy

ON a double sink, if the plug is below the joint that joins the two drains, you CAN'T plunge them unless you plug the OTHER drain while plunging the one. You aren't getting a good seal for the plunger to do any good. You may know this already, but if not, try it again with someone holding the drain plug in the one side while you plunge. As everyone said, be careful not that there is draino in there.

Use a folder over towel to help cover the drain on the one sink while someone plunges the other -- unfortunately about the only thing Draino is good for is making work for plumbers replacing pipe.

Ken in Glassboro, NJ

[moopups]

If the clog is found to be outside of the structure just go get a couple of gallons of muriatic acid, pour it into the air vents on the roof, majorly avoid the fumes - they are looking for a victim.

[ibcnya]

Muriatic acid (a couple gallons worth) or any other acid is not good for a septic system nor is it good for a plumber when you don't tell him that you previously poured a "drain cleaner" in the sink. Has happened to me. Chemical burns to hands and arms.
The best way is to mechanically remove the plug with a "snake" which is a cable auger of spring steel mounted to a drill that has a drum for metering out the cable. As you feed out the cable it spins with either a cutting head or a retrieving head on the end. That's the kitchen drain type anyway. You either get it cleared by removing the trap or from the vent on the roof depending on where the plug is. The big 4 and 5 inch type auger is a different animal.

[KoehlerHills]

I was thinking the same thing mtman, I see she's in ne texas....
you folks have been having some frigid weather yes?
Are the other drains working in the house?

[Spinner]

I would have suggested you use one of those cans of compressed air to blow it out, but with draino down there it would be dangerous to do that now.

[fellini123]

Those little blower outer things are called "water Weanies" and they work like a charm. Cheap too. I would use one of those.
Alice in Virginia

[insanity]

I stop up our sink all the time with grease. Dip out as much of the water out as possible then pore in a pan or multiple pans of boiling water. Works every time. Works great on slow drains as well as that's usually the problem.