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    andreak100's Avatar
    andreak100 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Aug 21, 2012, 04:47 AM
    Kitchen sink won't drain unless we run the disposal
    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!
    Ms_Bethany's Avatar
    Ms_Bethany Posts: 9, Reputation: 3
    New Member
    		  
    #2

    Aug 21, 2012, 05:55 AM
    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
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Aug 21, 2012, 06:48 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by andreak100 View Post
    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!
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Aug 21, 2012, 07:01 AM
    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
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