We are having problems with our sink draining - when I run the garbage disposal, the water will drain away, but it doesn't otherwise. This happens both when the dishwasher runs and when water is run from the faucet.

We tried using baking soda and vinegar/hot water to see if it was a blockage that would break up, but that didn't seem to work and we don't want to use anything like Liquid Plummer.

I'm not especially plumbing savvy, so with any suggestions, I probably need them spelled out step by step.

Thanks for any help!

I'm not very plumbing savvy either, but this is a good website for kitchen-type help articles, and it has one on unclogging garbage disposals:

Kitchen Tip Tuesdays: How to unclog a garbage disposal or sink drain | Tammy's Recipes (http://tammysrecipes.com/node/4728)

We are having problems with our sink draining - when I run the garbage disposal, the water will drain away, but it doesn't otherwise. This happens both when the dishwasher runs and when water is run from the faucet.

We tried using baking soda and vinegar/hot water to see if it was a blockage that would break up, but that didn't seem to work and we don't want to use anything like Liquid Plummer.

I'm not especially plumbing savvy, so with any suggestions, I probably need them spelled out step by step.

Thanks for any help!


Have you tried a plunger on both drains - assuming it's a double sink?

Whatever you do - if you are going to be getting anywhere NEAR the disposal unit, make certain it's unplugged!

Sounds like you have a blockage in the horizontal line in the wall. Try this.
Remove the "J" bend from the trap and send your snake up into the wall, You'll hit a elbo about 8" in but once past that you only have 6 more feet to go, Good luck, Tom