From Fixing to Preventing: What You Need To Know About A Blocked Kitchen Sink

There are a thousand and one problems you can encounter in the kitchen. But only a few compare to waking up to see yourself staring into a sink filled with stinky water from the previous night’s dinner. The smell aside, that means an extra task to the list of chores you have.

No one ever wants to deal with a clogged drain. It is a common plumbing problem in most Australian homes. Beyond the problem itself, it can also lead to a series of other drainage issues. For instance, foul odours, water backing up into other areas of your home, a burst pipe, and so on.

However, you cannot be too careful. That is why this guide has been curated to help you deal with a blocked kitchen sink. You will also understand why sink clogs occur, how to detect small symptoms, and when to call in a plumber before minor problems turn into bigger ones.

Understanding the Problem

Oftentimes, you are not unfamiliar with what can cause a sink to clog. You just do not pay much attention to these reasons. Imagine a large amount of cholesterol in your arteries, only that instead of affecting your health, it affects your sink. It stops your sink from draining properly.

A blocked sink is caused by an over-time buildup of food items. When fats and oils solidify inside pipes, other debris clings onto them, slowing the flow of water. These items don’t break down easily. They remain tangled for a long period and cause the sink to clog.

Onion skins, eggshells, and coffee grounds are common offenders. Soap residue from washing can also combine with some minerals in the water to form a sticky layer inside the pipes and cause blockage.

Apart from the regular food items and stuff, kitchen utensils and foreign objects can also cause the kitchen sink to clog. The type of kitchen plumbing also affects blockage. That is why only professional plumbers like Plumber Sydney should handle your plumbing work.

Signs Your Sink is About to Clog

Your kitchen sink does not just decide to act up and clog. You probably ignored the warnings or did not notice them. The trick lies in identifying those warnings and doing the needful on time.

Prevention is better than cure. Hence, it is recommended to fix the problem in your kitchen plumbing immediately if you notice anything unusual. Below are some of the warnings your sink gives before getting clogged.

Slow Drainage

Your sink taking longer to drain water is one of the first clues that a clog is about to happen. Water lingers longer than normal, taking time to empty. This is a major red flag that can be caused by food particles or cooking grease.

If left unattended, that slow drainage, causing partial blockage, will eventually turn into a total blockage. Your kitchen sink clogs and could damage your pipes.

Visible Signs of Food Items in the Sink Cap

When you start to see food residue sticking to the opening of the sink drain. Then this is a sign that you should prepare against a blockage. After a while, the food residue will cling together and prevent the free flow of water.

If it eventually happens, a simple do-it-yourself method will solve it.

Sounds from the Drain

Hearing strange sounds from the drain as water flows could be an indication of a looming blockage. Residual food waste decaying in kitchen pipes causes this to happen.

Sometimes, it is caused by the accumulation of bacteria or foreign moulds in some corners of the pipe. The noises are a result of trapped air bubbles forcing their way through the water in the pipes.

At that moment, your kitchen sink is talking to you. Seeking your attention. A fix in time can save you nine other fixes.

Flies or Insects Around Your Kitchen Sink

Your home is clean, and there is no water body or pool of water around. But you start seeing flies and insects, especially around the drain. This is a top-tier sign of partial blockage.

This is because the flies and small insects are being attracted to the waste that is stuck inside the drain. This is a clear clog warning sign that should be addressed immediately.

Delay could cause health hazards, as some of the flies and insects could be carriers of diseases.

Water Returning into the Sink

The essence of a sink is to allow water to pass through and flush or drain easily. This is countered when water starts backing up into the sink. Instead of going down, it does the opposite. Once you notice this, act quickly.

Water returning or backing up into the sink can become severe and turn into an overflow. This risks water damage to cupboards and other kitchen furniture. It could also damage the walls, floor, or tiling of the kitchen.

Foul and Unpleasant Odours

You clean the walls and mop the floor. You ensure sanitation and regular hygiene in the kitchen. There are no food crumbs or rotten leftovers anywhere. But somehow, your kitchen starts to smell.

Well, that is an early indication that something is wrong with your kitchen sink.

When you see any of the above signs, either repeatedly or just one-off, act immediately. Sometimes, these signs will not become apparent unless you pay close attention to your sink.

Other signs that could indicate sink blockage are water pooling around the sink area, changes in water pressure, buildup of soap scum, and so on.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Fixes You Can Try

The difficulty that comes with having a small kitchen plumbing issue often hits hard. So hard that it makes you want to call in a plumber immediately. While some blocked kitchen sinks might need the intervention of a professional plumber, there are some drainage issues you can fix on your own.

There are safe, cheap, and effective DIY kitchen plumbing fixes you can take on. These fixes are easy and can be done with simple techniques. They are perfect for routine maintenance and addressing small sink blockages.

Some of these options are listed below.

Use of Baking Soda and Vinegar

Excluding the volcano explosion that is replaced by a fizzing hiss-like sound, using baking soda and vinegar mixture sounds like a Year 8 science experiment. But it is effective. Especially if it is a minor blockage.

How To:

1. Pour about half a cup of baking soda into the sink
2. Pour a cup of vinegar into the sink as well
3. Cover the drain in the sink with a wet cloth
4. Flush the sink with hot water after about 10-15 minutes

The bi-carb soda reduces the force of adhesion in the mould, while the acid in the vinegar breaks it down. This produces a fizz reaction, which removes the odour.

Hot Water Flush

Dealing with grease in your kitchen sink can be annoying. It accumulates little by little, then cools off and solidifies inside your pipes. It further attracts food particles and creates a sticky mess you don’t want to see.

Boiling water can be used to break down grease and bacterial buildup in your kitchen sink. Boil a kettle of water and carefully pour it down your kitchen drain. Give a few seconds between each pour and repeat it twice or thrice.

The hot water causes the solidified particles to disentangle and washes them down the drain. However, if you use PVC pipes, your hot water use should not be frequent. Regular extreme heat can weaken plastic joints.

You might want to avoid this approach if your kitchen sink is connected to older plumbing frameworks. Hot or boiling water could further weaken the pipes and cause greater damage.

Plunger Power

The plunger power is a game-changing tool for a blocked kitchen sink. First, you need to fill the sink with enough water to cover the rubber cup. Then place the sink plunger over the drain in the sink.

Push the sink plunger down repeatedly and pull up with a quick motion. After a while, check if the water is starting to drain. If it doesn’t, flush it down with warm water.

If your sink has an overflow hole, cover it with a wet cloth to create suction. If the sink plunger did not do the exact work you want at first instance, be patient. Do not force things. Forcing things may damage the sink.

Manual Removal

Sometimes, all you need is to soil your hands to keep the blocked sink flowing. The clog may not always be in the pipes; it could be in the plughole. Put on a pair of gloves and remove the plug to check for visible debris.

You can also place a bucket under the sink trap and unscrew the fittings for a proper cleaning. Then you can reassemble and check for leaks before using the sink again.

Manual removal is quick and is usually the most direct solution, especially for surface-level clogs. However, if the trap looks rusted or is damaged, call in a professional for help. Forcing screws off can lead to leaks.

Using a Drain Snake

A plumber’s snake helps to remove tangled debris inside pipes. It reaches the clogs far deep in the pipe without causing any damage to the plumbing system.

DIY sink fixes are a great first point of call. It can help you save money and ensure prompt fixes. However, understand that DIY tricks are not a means to replace professional touches. Know when to stop and call in a professional plumber.

When to Call in a Professional Plumber

If your DIY approach does not restore normalcy, do not attempt to have another go at it. That is enough sign for you to stop and call a professional. A licensed plumber knows where best to hit and the best tools to use.

When Your DIY Methods Fail

Obviously, your method failing is a sign that you need a professional consultation. Most DIY methods are tailored to fix minor blockages. And there is nothing wrong with trying simple fixes. So, when you attempt to use it for a bigger fix, things may not go as planned.

A blocked kitchen sink is not always caused by food residue. Sometimes, it could be caused by a high-pressure water jet. Or any other tool that you cannot replicate with the home gear.

Water Keeps Backing Up into Plumbing Fixtures

If you attempt to drain the sink, but water bubbles keep forming on the surface. Or water from the dishwasher starts appearing in the sink, then it is high time you called in a professional. This is no longer a blocked kitchen sink but a main drain line blockage.

Attempting to fix a main drain line blockage on your own could make things worse. The pressure from the drain can force stinking water into places you do not want. This could create health hazards and damage your properties.

Such a situation is one of the times you call in a plumber before the problem escalates.

When There Are Signs of a Deeper or Recurring Blockage

Not all sink issues are surface-level problems. Some are just symptoms of a much bigger issue. For instance, if you notice repeated clogging of your sink, persistent bad smells, or gurgling noises, it is safe to assume that there is more to your blocked drains than what a DIY method might solve.

There could be a systemic fault or anything that only a professional plumber can fix.

When Health and Safety is On The Line

When a blocked drain poses a health risk, it becomes a danger. So dangerous that it could lead to an outbreak. The sink can harbour wastewater and food debris, which hosts harmful bacteria and other contaminants that could affect your health.

If you observe anything unusual around your kitchen sink, do not try to fix it yourself. Call a plumber right away. They will have the right protective equipment and know the best disposal methods to deal with the situation.

If Your Building Has Old Plumbing Structures

If your kitchen sink is connected to an old plumbing structure, do not attempt any DIY fixes. Waiting too long to call a blocked drain expert can make problems worse. In addition, Sydney’s plumbing regulations stipulate that only certain types of fixes can be carried out by a licensed plumber.

If you stay in an old property, never delay calling a plumber. A wrong fix from you can cause greater loss. You could also be liable for fines or insurance claims.

When you eventually decide to call in a professional plumber, know that local teams like Plumber Sydney are your best go-to. They can get to the root quickly using their advanced and latest digital tools.

They also follow safety standards and make fixes with minimal disruption to your daily life. Contact Plumber Sydney and have your blocked kitchen sink running smoothly within a blink.

Why Using Chemicals Is Not Advisable

Chemical drain cleaners are not the right way. They look like a quick fix–open and empty the contents of the container down your kitchen sink–but are you willing to deal with your sink corroding, or your pipes cracking? These drain cleaners do more harm than good in the long run, and not just for your sink!

If you must use them, make sure you follow the instructions on their containers to the letter.

Practical Tips to Prevent Your Sink From Clogging

Blocked kitchen sinks are a nightmare. It is one of those annoying things that happen when you least need a disruption in your schedule. Luckily, most blockages can be prevented before they happen.

With these simple tips, you can ensure a free flow of water in your kitchen sink.

• Scrape Food Scraps off Plates Before Putting Them into the Sink

It is convenient to rinse dirty plates in the sink. But when you think of the damage it could do to your kitchen sink, you would want to stop it.

Food scraps from plates are a common cause of a blocked kitchen sink. Rice, pasta, vegetable peels, and so on can build up in pipes over time, reducing the flow of water down the drain. By scraping food into bins, you will automatically be reducing the amount of debris heading down your drain.

• Steer Clear of Harsh Chemical Cleaners

Grabbing a bottle of a strong drain cleaner at the first sight of a blocked kitchen drain is always tempting. However, some chemicals are harmful and can cause more damage than you are trying to solve.

The best alternative is to try natural methods. Like mixing vinegar and baking soda, then follow up with hot water. While these mixtures may not dissolve large blockages, they can help to maintain clearer sink drains.

• Be Careful What Goes Down Your Drain

Your sink is not a rubbish bin. Its essence is to allow passage of liquid, not solid or fatty items. Avoid letting coffee grounds, seeds, bone pieces, and so on go down the drain. If unchecked, these items can accumulate over time and cause clogs.

• Run Hot Water Down the Sink After Using

Using hot water to flush down the sink frequently can prevent debris from clinging to the walls of the pipe. It removes any grease or residue anywhere in the sink. This is useful if you have done a lot of washing that contains grease and fat.

The hot water prevents fat buildup from solidifying. It also reduces the chance of oil remnants from sticking inside your sink and causing a blockage.

• Do Not Pour Cooking Oil or Grease Down the Sink

Hot oil is harmless in its liquid form. But as it cools off and hardens, it could stick to the inside of your kitchen pipes. As time goes on, the sticky form attracts other debris and traps it. This creates a hard blockage and obstructs water flow.

To avoid this, pour your used oil when cooled off into a container and dispose of it in a bin. You can even place a jar for used oil under your kitchen sink so it can be easily accessible when you need it.

• Schedule Frequent Pipe Cleaning

You do not have to wait for a partial blockage before you schedule maintenance or pipe cleaning. Even if you practice the best kitchen habits, some tiny amounts of grease and food particles can still build up over time. It may take longer, but your sink cannot always be debris-free.

The practical tips above can also be helpful if you adhere strictly to them. Preventive care is always better, cheaper, and reasonable. It is also less stressful compared to corrective care or emergency repairs.

Conclusion

A blocked kitchen sink can be frustrating. It disrupts your kitchen routine and costs you extra charges. Doing the right thing on time can help you avoid bigger problems. This guide will help you navigate any blocked kitchen sink issue you might have.

If you notice any sluggish draining of water, do not wait to observe for long. There is most likely a blockage somewhere. Prompt action will save you money, time, and stress. If your DIY approach does not work, do not attempt to try it again. Call a professional plumber immediately.