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Turn on Water and Check for Leaks — Reassemble and Test for Leaks

Beginner

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How to Unclog a Double Kitchen Sink · Step 5 of 5

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Slowly turn on the shut-off valves for both hot and cold water by turning the handles to the left (counter-clockwise). Turn on the faucet and let the water run. Close the pop-up drain to fill the sink partially, then release it to test the drain connection under a full flow. Use a flashlight to carefully inspect all new plumbing connections, including the supply lines and the entire P-trap assembly, for any drips or leaks.

Goal: Test for leaks.

Used in this video

  • Flashlight_Type (brand: N/A) — To visually inspect all plumbing connections for any signs of water leaks.
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FAQs

Do I need to buy all the specialized tools, especially the drum auger, to unclog my double kitchen sink?

Not necessarily for every clog. Start with simpler tools like the HDX Sink and Drain Plunger. If that doesn't work, cleaning the P-trap requires basic pliers and a bucket. The Plumber's Choice 25 ft. Drum Auger is only needed for deeper, more stubborn clogs further down the drain line.

What are the most critical safety precautions I should take, especially since my double sink has a garbage disposal?

The absolute most critical step is to always disconnect power to the garbage disposal at the circuit breaker before performing any work near or inside the drain, even if you're working on the non-disposal side. Additionally, wear Heavy Duty Latex Gloves to protect your hands from grime and potential drain cleaner residue if any was previously used.

How long should a beginner expect this project to take, and is it genuinely a 'beginner' difficulty project?

For a simple clog cleared with a plunger, it might take 15-30 minutes. If you need to clean the P-trap, allocate 1-2 hours for setup, cleaning, and reassembly. Snaking a deeper clog can extend the project to 2-3 hours for a beginner. It's beginner-friendly in terms of steps, but patience and attention to detail are key.

When I try to plunge one side of my double sink, water just backs up into the other basin. How can I fix this?

This is a very common issue with double sinks due to shared drainage. To create effective suction with the plunger, you must completely seal off the drain opening of the non-clogged sink. Use a Universal Sink Stopper or have a helper firmly press a wet rag over the opening while you plunge the affected side.

Transcript
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Once those two are complete, we're going to open up our shutoff valves on both. Again, the shutoff valves are going to turn it to the left. Repeat that on the hot side and then we can go ahead and open up our faucet and test for leaks. What I do is I open up the hot and cold and let them run simultaneously. I'll even close the pop-up drain and fill up the sink halfway. Let the water drain out to test your drain. Take a flashlight and just inspect all your joints, your fittings and everything you connected by hand with your flashlight and make sure you have no leaks and you're good to go.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.