Having a clogged or blocked kitchen sink can be super annoying. But, no matter how upsetting it is, you need to take care of it asap, because a faulty sink will affect your entire kitchen activity and make life difficult for you. You can use simple techniques to Unblock Your Kitchen Sink without calling for help and flushing your money down the drain.
Your sink will ensure your essential tasks, such as food preparation, cooking, washing, and cutting are efficient – and enjoyable, so you must give critical thought to style, functionality, and durability when choosing your kitchen sink.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to choose the right kitchen sink suited for you, what to look out for when deciding on a kitchen sink, the best time to choose a kitchen sink, causes of blocked sinks, and what to do when your kitchen sink block (that does not involve calling a plumber).
When Is the Best Time To Choose a Kitchen Sink
One of the most critical decisions you will make when it comes to your kitchen’s practicality, and aesthetic appeal is your sink. It will determine if life in your kitchen is more problematic or less complicated, and will have enormous significance on your day to day activity.
The most ideal time to choose a kitchen sink is before starting any kitchen modelling or remodelling. You should select your kitchen sink way after determining your kitchen cabinet size – before the kitchen layout is designed or picking your kitchen counter or cabinets.
Doing this later means certain limitations due to the existing sink cutout and cabinet space on what you can choose. When your kitchen is designed around your sink, it ensures a holistic kitchen, complete with an optimal workstation – with enough space and the right faucet to meet your daily kitchen activities.
How To Choose The Right Kitchen Sink?
Simple. Ergonomics. The basic gist about kitchen ergonomics is designing your kitchen around your preference, style, and needs, to optimise your activities and eliminate stress on the body as you perform your duties. In simple terms, choose your kitchen accessories, including your kitchen sink based on your comfort and work efficiency.
Get The Measurement Right
Minimum Cabinet Size – You need to determine your kitchen cabinet’s size before you start shopping for a sink. Standard cabinets come in sizes of 3″ (say 18″, 21″, 24″, you get the drift). Having a countertop that has a backsplash or not impacts greatly on the size of the sink.
Countertop Depth – A sink that measures up to 201/2” will fit into a laminate countertop with a backsplash, while for a stone countertop without a splashback, a sink measuring up to 22” should work.
Sink Bowl Depth – Select the depth of the sink based on your family preference. While deeper sinks allow more room for taller pots and dinnerware, they can hurt your back and be difficult for your little kids to reach. Kitchen sinks commonly range between 7” – 10” in depth.
The Sink Material Matches Your Lifestyle
In selecting your sink materials, you must consider functionality, durability, hygiene, and endurance. The reason is that kitchen sinks are not readily replaced as other accessories. Your kitchen use will also determine the material to choose because, if you use your sink heavily, then getting a high-maintenance sink material isn’t ideal. The ideal materials to choose are;
Granite: Sink with granite composites have non-porous surfaces that repel dirt and liquids. They are highly resistant to heat, impact, and scratches, making them ideal for heavy kitchen usage. They also endure extreme temperature fluctuations.
Stainless Steel: A stainless steel sink has a non-porous surface, making it dirt, heat and bacteria-resistant. It also has a natural resistance to household acids and marks and It is effortless to maintain and long-lasting. It is an excellent choice for any kitchen.
Ceramic: Sink with ceramic materials are extremely functional and adds a magical appeal to the general kitchen design. A ceramic sink will withstand heavy usage, resist scratching, staining and chipping. They are also very enduring and durable as they won’t rust, fade, discolour, adding timeless allure to your kitchen for years to come.
Choose The Type of Sink Style and Bowl Configuration
There are different kitchen sink types to choose from, and each style has its pros and cons.
Offset Double Bowl
Pros
It creates a bigger workspace inside the large bowl when you compare it with the double bowl setup. The smaller bowl is perfect for jobs like thawing frozen foods or drying dishes in a small rack.
Cons
The smaller bowl may be useless because of the size.
Low Divide Bowls
Pros
These sinks come in equal double or offset configuration. Very multi-functional as one bowl can be used for washing soaking while the other sink can fit in large items.
Cons
If you require deep–water bowls when cooking, this sink is not for you as the low divide means the bowl can be partially filled with water.
Single Bowl
Pros
The most popular kitchen bowl, chosen for its functionality and large bowl size. It gives maximum space and allows room to manoeuvre large items.
Cons
Very restrictive, as you cant joggle activities.
Equal Double Bowls
Pros
Two persons can work simultaneously with a double sink bowl, making it very easy to joggle and multitask.
Cons
Large items with long handles can fit in.
Don’t Forget About The Kitchen Faucet/Tap
There are 4 critical things to consider when choosing the perfect tap for your modern kitchen and these are;
- Water Pressure
- Functionality
- Flexibility and Convenience
- Clean and Clear Water
Water Pressure: the first thing you want to look out for is the water pressure of your home to see what type of tap will be compatible with it; otherwise you will end up with a beautiful tap with weak water flow that will continuously irritate you. Consult a plumber or retailer to help you check and figure out the best choice for you.
Functionality: a trendy choice that is replacing kettles for busy households and most homes is the boiling-water tap, and for a good reason, as they make hot water readily available, speed up your cooking or coffee. They come with a child-safety handle.
Flexibility and Convenience: think about the size of your sink when considering a tap. The size and height of the spout impacts usage. With a high spout, you can swivel between two sinks, and they are great for washing large pans or pots.
Clean and Clear Water: consider a filter tap if clean water is a must as most water in the UK is chemically treated to make it drinkable, affecting the taste. With a filter tap, you have clean coloured and sweet water – no chlorine or limescale.
How To Unblock Your Kitchen Sink That Doesn’t Involve Calling a Plumber
What Causes Blocked Kitchen Sinks
Your kitchen sink can be blocked by many things, all ranging from your activities. Top causes of clogged kitchen sink include;
Blockage due to your garbage disposal unit: If you have a garbage unit installed, sometimes, this can be the source of the clog because of too many scraps and small pieces that have been pushed down over time especially if you have a habit of running it after pushing down large amounts of the old food.
A build-up of grease: If you have been pouring greasy pans into your sink without enough soap, the oil can build up and trap some food particle causing a clog.
Hair: If you wash your hair or bath your pet in the sink, then it clogged drain may be a result of hair getting caught on the sides of the pipe, which has hooked some food or grease.
5 Simple Ways of Unblocking Your Kitchen Sink
These methods are natural ways of unclogging your sink with the tools and ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
Run Your Disposal Unit – Most of the time, the build-up at the bottom of the disposal can cause a minor clog, mostly if you haven’t used the disposal in a while. Run it and check to ensure it is running correctly.
Boiling Water – Surprisingly very effective against grease (where grease is the cause), simply pour a pot-full of boiling water slowly down the drain and let it sit for a few minutes. You can then follow it up with hot water from the tap. The boiling water will melt the grease and unclog the drain.
Boiling Water and Salt – If you aren’t sure about the cause of the clog, you can try clearing it off with salt and boiling water. All you need to do is empty the sink, and pour half a cup of salt down the drain. After that, you can run in a kettle of boiling water and let it sit for a few minutes. Finally, flush with hot water from the tap
Baking Soda and Vinegar is a traditional method of unclogging drains and is very useful for sinks. Simply mix a one-third cup of baking soda with a one-third cup of vinegar in a measuring cup. Immediately, the mixture will react, and start to fizzle, and should be promptly poured down the drain.
It is the fizzing action that helps to remove the grime and hair effectively. Allow it to sit for an hour and then flush with hot water.
Baking Soda and Salt – Another lethal combination against bathroom sink clog (or any other clog for that matter) is baking soap and salt. Mix a half cup of baking soda and salt in a measuring cup and pour the mixture into the sink. Give it a few hours, and it will eat away at anything that is blocking the sink.
With these 5 ways, you can easily Unblock Your Kitchen Sink.
