Go Back

How To Avoid a Clogged Sink

 

The Frustrations of Clogged Sinks

Clogged sinks. No homeowner wants to deal with them yet everyone goes through a clog at least a few times during homeownership. Clogged sinks are a very real problem and they always seem to occur when you least expect them. Have you ever found yourself hours away from hosting a birthday party, a book club, a neighborhood BBQ when suddenly your sink backs up and water fills up the basin? Nothing you do seems to help and, in fact, only makes it worse.

Just when you thought things couldn’t get much worse, your dishwasher starts backing up, too. Into the already over-filled basin the water pumps and now it’s threatening to flow over onto the hardwood kitchen floor. Just then, the doorbell rings and your first guests start to arrive. What a mess!

If you want to avoid occurrences like this one, then read on! In this article, you’ll learn about the parts of standard sinks and common problem areas to troubleshoot for clogs, how to potentially fix a clogged sink yourself, and how to prevent a clog from occurring in the first place.

How Your Sink Gets the Job Done

Water Pouring From Kitchen Faucet No matter what kind of home you live in, your sink’s plumbing is going to have similar parts to any other kitchen or bathroom sink. Water will come into the faucet through pipes called supply lines. Then the water goes down the drain through the tailpiece, a u-shaped piece called the trap, the out through the waste line. A clog can, unfortunately, happen in any one of these places.

 

The most common areas for pipes to get clogged up is in the trap. If excess food is placed down a kitchen sink, too much hair washes down a bathroom sink, or grease goes down either one, the trap is the first place to get gunked up by foreign objects. When a sink operates normally, water is flushed down and through the trap and out to the sewer line.

When it gets clogged, however, the waste line is impeded from flowing and water cannot go down the pipe and out to the main sewer line. Water then backs up and creates what we all know as clogged sinks.

How to Fix a Clogged Sink

Homeowner Trying to Fix a Clogged Sink

 

Often times, clogged sinks can be worked on by homeowners and many times resolved. Here are a few tips and tricks to consider when trying to clear a clog

First, stop any further water from backing up into the sink’s bowl. Then, remove any standing water that is present so you can see into the drain. Next, try these steps to see if you can get your clog to move.

  • Use Boiling Water: Sometimes, a little heat and force are all that’s necessary to clear the trap or a pipe or built-up grease or fat deposits. Pour about a gallon of boiling water down the drain and see if your clog moves.
  • Run the Disposal: Make sure your garbage disposal isn’t clogged. If you haven’t run it recently, consider running the disposal to see if that helps clear the clog.
  • Try a Plunger: If you have a two-sided sink, place a stopper on one side and plunge the other. Sometimes a little force is all that’s necessary to get a stubborn clog to move.

If your clog still won’t budge after these attempts, it might just be time to call in the professionals.

How to Prevent a Clog

The best way to avoid clogs in your sink is to focus on preventing them from happening in the first place. How? Here are two important tips to keep in mind:

  • Routine Cleaning: Run a cleaner through your garbage disposal according to the manufacture’s directions to keep your disposal working well.
  • Water Only: Only put water down your sink. Never pour fats, grease, or any other substance down your drain.

Honest and Professional Plumbers

Licensed Clogged Sink Technician

 
S and J Plumbing serve Arlington Heights, IL homeowners for all their plumbing needs. They promise to provide each customer with personalized solutions, options for individual budgetary needs, quality workmanship, and honest, professional service.