How To Fix Slow Draining Kitchen Sink With Garbage Disposal?

Slow draining in your kitchen is a headache, especially when you have a garbage disposal. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the problem of slow draining.

So, you may be disturbed by unpleasant smells, standing water, and clogs.

Here, we take a look at the causes of slow draining kitchen sink with garbage disposals and provide you with some troubleshooting tips to help you how to solve it.

You can use my complete knowledge to solve your kitchen sink draining problem with garbage disposal.

So let us first know about the causes of this issue.

Causes of Slow Draining Kitchen Sink With Garbage Disposal

A clog stuck in the kitchen sink drainage line with your garbage disposal can slow down the drain and even damage your garbage disposal.

So it is necessary to know the reasons for what causes it.

There can be many reasons for slow draining in kitchen sinks with garbage disposal.

• Food Waste Buildup – Over time, the accumulation of food particles can create a blockage
• Clogged Pipes or Drainage System Beyond the garbage disposal, pipe buildup or drainage system blockages can slow water flow.
• Clogged Garbage Disposal Unit – Sometimes, the problem is isolated to the waste disposal unit itself. Its reasons are as follows.
  • Insufficient water Use when disposal runs
  • Grinding Food in Hot Water with a Garbage Disposal
  • Too Much Waste in the Disposal
  • Sending the Wrong Items Down the Drain, like banana peels, potato skins, and coffee grounds.
• Faulty Garbage Disposal Unit – If your unit isn’t working correctly, it won’t grind the food properly, so draining is slow.

After knowing the reasons, let us know how to solve the kitchen sink problem with garbage disposal drains slowly.

How To Fix a Slow-Draining Kitchen Sink With a Garbage Disposal Step-By-Step Guide

The problem of slow draining can be either in the drainage pipeline, the section of the P trap, or the garbage disposal.

In such cases, while fixing this problem, you need to check these three areas.

I have detailed the steps so that you can check and fix the problem of slowly draining yourself.

The following are some tools and materials needed to fix the slow drain problem with garbage disposal.

Let us discuss a step-by-step guide to fix the problem of a slow-draining kitchen sink with garbage disposal.

Step 1: Turn off the power to the garbage disposal unit

To fix the slow draining of the kitchen sink with the garbage disposal, it is first necessary to switch it off.

Protective gloves must be worn before doing any kitchen sink-related work yourself.

• First, locate the garbage disposal wall switch behind the disposal unit or mount it under the cabinet.
• Then, turning off this switch disables power to reach the disposal.
• Unplug the wire for extra safety.

Reasons for power off the disposal unit

• For safe removal of debris or clog by hand without risk.
• Sticking hands directly in the garbage disposal drain is required.
• To allow plunging, drain maintenance, and manual clearing of jams safely.

Step 2: Remove the Sink Strainer from the kitchen sink

After switching off the garbage disposal, remove the sink strainer above the kitchen sink to see the drainage line inside the garbage disposal.

Also, separate the debris and food particles from the top of the sink strainer.

Wash it and set it aside until the job is done.

Step 3: Use a plunger to create pressure and remove slow water

Then, turn on the faucet and run the water until it fills the sink halfway.

Now, you will see the water slowly going into the drainage, which shows slow draining.

Immediately, you press the sink clog remover plunger firmly against the sink drain opening.

• Push the plunger up and down rapidly 15-20 times in a row.
• For that, use your body weight if needed to push down forcefully.
• This fast plunging motion generates significant suction in the drain.

So that if there are any small clogs in the drain, the pressure will push them out.

Black, 4″ Mint Craft Drain Plunger (MINTCRAFT 8317-B)

This is best for cleaning kitchen drains clogged by grease.

See on Amazon

Step 4: Use Baking Soda and Vinegar With hot water

After completing the plugging process, we will try to remove the clog using baking soda and vinegar.

• First, take a measuring cup, then pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain opening. It is a base that dissolves grease and residue.
• After baking soda, pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain. It is an acid which reacts with baking soda.
• Then, sit down to wait for 5 to 10 minutes. The baking soda and vinegar have an acid-base reaction and create fizzing.
• These compounds allow a chemical reaction to occur ultimately for maximum cleaning.
• After 10 minutes, you flush everything down the drain with hot water.

ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda Made in the USA

Your go-to, multipurpose solution for cleaning and deodorizing around your home

See on Amazon

Step 5: Check The Garbage Disposal

To check inside Garbage Disposal, first make sure it is switched off.

Now, look into the drainage hole above the kitchen sink.

• There is something stuck in the garbage disposal. Do not use your hands to remove it.
• For that, use tongs or pliers to hold it. Use these tools to wiggle the clog-free and remove it from the drain opening.
• If debris is wrapped around the disposal blade or in the container, use these tools to unwrap the material and remove the food particles.

If the motor or blade of the garbage disposal is seized or something is difficult to remove with tongs or pliers.

So we can manually turn the components to release it.

• To do this, find a hole in the center of the bottom of the garbage disposal and insert your Allen or hex wrench into it, which will come with your garbage disposal.
• If you don’t have it or it doesn’t come with the unit, try using a ¼-inch Allen wrench.
• Now rotate the wrench fully in both directions to free the moving parts, you turn it anti-clockwise and clockwise.
• Doing this lets you move the blade freely, so take the wrench out now.

Thus, you can manually check the garbage disposal so that if any garbage is stuck in it, we can remove it.

Step 6: Press the Reset Button on the Garbage Disposal

Next, see the reset button on the garbage disposal unit.

The reset button is mainly red and can be found on the bottom of the unit or the side of the main body casing.

After clearing the clogs and jams, check if the reset button has tripped.

Use any thin object like a paperclip or a toothpick and press that button.

Step 7: Remove and Clean the P trap

If the steps mentioned above have not resolved it, now is the time to check the P trap. Even if resolved, the P trap must be cleaned once.

P trap is a curved part of the pipe draining system underneath the sink.

That traps debris and prevents it from entering the main drain.

First, place an empty bucket or container under the P trap before opening it.

Now, use pliers to release both ends of the P trap and carefully remove the trap.

If there are any obstructions or debris found in the trap. To clean the trap, scrub it with hot water and soap, and then use a brush to remove dirt from the trap

Once the entire P trap is clean, reattach it and tighten the connection with pliers.

Step 8: Use a Drain Snake

Finally, you can use a drain snake if the clog is deep in the drain line.

A drain snake consists of a long, flexible cable that can be inserted into the drain to reach the clog.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using the drain snake.

After that, your problem of slow draining will be almost over.

Forlivese Plumbing Snake Drain Auger

Best kitchen sink drain snake for help in removing grease from the drain

See on Amazon

Read More: Unclog Grease from your kitchen sink ultimate guide

Preventive Measure For Garbage Disposal Sink Slow Drain

After learning how to fix a slow-draining kitchen sink with garbage disposal, now that you have it fixed

You should be aware of several things you can take preventative steps towards.

• Regular cleaning and maintenance of sink and disposal
• Proper disposal of food waste
• Avoiding dumping down the drain line

Faqs

How often should I clean my garbage disposal?

You should clean your garbage disposal once a month regularly with a mixture of ice cubes, baking soda, and citrus peels for optimal performance.

What should I do if my DIY attempts to fix the problem fail?

If your DIY attempts to fix your slow-draining kitchen sink problem, it is best to call a licensed professional plumber to inspect and repair it.

What items should never go down the disposal?

Remember never to put non-edible items such as silverware, bottle caps, glass, bones, metal scrub pads, and sponges into the garbage disposal.

Only allow leftover soft foods to grind straight into the unit.

Why is my garbage disposal emitting foul odors?

A foul smell from a garbage disposal usually indicates the presence of food waste bacterial growth or debris.

You can grind ice cubes, citrus peels, or baking soda to help clean and deodorize the internal components. Repeated use removes such foul odors.

Does my slow drain indicate a broken disposal?

A slow drain doesn’t necessarily mean broken garbage disposal. It just indicates some problems like clogs or other issues needing attention.

But sometimes loud noises, leaks, and electrical problems mean a broken unit that may require repair.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Your kitchen sink is the foundation of everyday life and culinary creativity.

Therefore, slow draining of kitchen sinks with garbage disposal will tarnish the beauty of your kitchen.

So, to find out the reasons, and by applying the DIY remedies mentioned above, you can end your problems.

I can tell you from my experiences that you can fix this problem of slowly draining yourself, and if it seems too complex, then take the help of a professional plumber.

Apart from this, if you have any other problems regarding the kitchen or bathroom sink, comment to me, and I will guide you.