How to Clean a Sink Clogged with Coffee Grounds

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If you accidentally dispose of coffee grounds in the sink which causes clogging, this how-to unclog a sink clogged with coffee grounds guide will help resolve the problem.

Some organic food materials can be easily broken down and can pass through garbage disposers and others cannot. But both can clog a kitchen sink.

Cleaning coffee grounds spilled on the floor or counter is not easy. The wet grounds tend to stick to everything it gets contact including the drain line. So, if you use the sink without a disposer for ground waste, it can get stuck along the inside of the drain lines.

Various Methods on How to Unclog a Sink Clogged with Coffee Grounds

The good thing is that homeowners can use disposers to remove anything that may clog the sink including the coffee grounds. Disposers can clear the kitchen drain line.

But we all know that even if we are careful, organic food waste, grinds, citrus rinds, and others can get into the lines. If this happens, the only solution we got is to unclog the kitchen sink using different methods.

What You Need

⦁ Declogging solutions (for DIY unclogging)⦁ Drain snakes (for snaking)⦁ Plunger (for plunging)⦁ Bucket (for clearing P-tap)⦁ Wrench (for clearing P-tap)

Method #1 DIY Sink Unclogging

Normally, homeowners would search on their shelf any declogging solution available. It could be a chemical drain cleaner. This could be very helpful in breaking down the organic materials that are causing the clogging.

But sometimes it can do more harm than good. The chemicals can corrode the drain line and may cause deterioration. So, it is best to avoid them if you can.

Method #2 Snaking

Homeowners can visit home stores and rent drain snakes. Snaking the line could help in clearing the clog. It may take some basic plumbing skills, determining if the clog is a trap in the drain, disposer, or beyond the cleanout. But, with some research, using this method is quite easy.

Method #3 Plunging the Sink

You can use the plunging method if the clog is not severe like clogging due to grease build-up. This process can help clear a kitchen sink blockage temporarily. If your sink has two sides, cover the clear one. Below are steps on how to plunge the sink:

Step #1 On the sink drain opening, position the plunger. Fill the clogged sink with water so the plunger’s cup is submerged in the water.

Step #2 If you have a double design sink, you need to cover the other sink drain using a rubber sink stopper before you start the plunging. You can use a small piece of a towel if you do not have a stopper.

Step #3. Hold the plunger with its handle make sure the cup covers the sink drain opening. Push the plunger downward and pull it upward for ten times or until the clogging coffee grounds are removed. To check if it is free from clogs, let the water run in the sink and observe if it will drain smoothly.

Method #4 Clear the Sink P-trap

The majority of the sink clogs are found in the P-trap. It is U-shaped and has a piece of pipe. The trap is located below the sink. If in case plunging does not work to dislodge the clog, then the next best thing to do is to remove the trap to clear the stubborn coffee grounds.

Step #1. Check the sink P-trap. Position a bucket underneath the trap to catch the water that may spill upon opening it.

Step#2 Loosen the nuts that connect the drain line on both ends. For metallic pipe, use a wrench to loosen the nuts. Turn the nuts counterclockwise to loosen. For plastic pipe, loosen the nuts using your hands and by turning counterclockwise.

Step#3. Pull the trap from the pipe. Make sure that bucket is in place so it will collect any content that might have been in the drain pipes.

Step#4. Check the trap and get rid of any obstruction in it. You don’t need a special tool to remove it. Use your hands but make sure you wear a pair of gloves when doing this.

You can use any pointed object such as a metallic rod or screwdriver to get rid of the obstructions. Wash the trap thoroughly to completely remove the obstructions.

Check the connecting pipes that are trapped from the affected sink to the main drain line to ensure that you have completely removed the blockages.

Step #5. If you are sure that you have removed the clog completely you can reconnect the sink P-trap. Rotate the nuts clockwise to tighten the trap connections. Once you have attached the trap in place, check if the blockage is removed completely by allowing water to run into the sink.

Method #5 Seek the Assistance of a Professional Plumbing Services

If the situation is worst and you have applied all the available method but still you were not able to resolve it. It is time to seek the help of the experts. For severe clogging due to grease buildup and it emits bad odors you need a professional plumbing technician.

If in case you accidentally throw a small amount of coffee grounds in the sink and it suddenly causes backs up, there might be a bigger issue involved.

The professional snaking can be applied through the best method and the best care of the drain line condition. Expert plumbers likewise use specialty snakes and are very experienced in informing the best snaking method is and make sure the snake will not get stuck in the drain line.

A professional plumber will not try a plunger method but will remove any standing water and remove the trap under the skin to assess the severity of clogging and what approach to apply.

Included in the services of a professional plumber is the use of powerful jetting that can clean the coffee ground and grease buildup in the pipes. The jetting can also help in eliminating the bad odor that leaves the drain pipe clean and odor-free.

To avoid clogging and so you will not have to go through the tedious process, you should regularly clean the pipes. Also, it is best to use a garbage disposer only after scraping food and in other waste. You should not put oil or grease in the line.

Now you can run the hot faucet for a few minutes to soften the coffee grounds that might have stuck into the drain. The hot water will push the coffee ground further and help in unclogging the sink.

Final Thoughts

It is much easier if you can avoid clogging the pipeline. Do not overload the kitchen garbage disposal and do not overload it. It is best to feed the items little by little and make sure that you wait until the coffee grinds run through completely.

Never put coffee grounds, bacon grease, or oil on your kitchen drain. Running lots of water down the drain each time you use is suggested. Maintaining the kitchen pipe and always ensuring that it is free from clogs will keep the system run smoothly.

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