A clogged kitchen sink can put your entire house at a standstill. Without it functioning properly, finding a sanitary place to wash your food, plates, cutlery, and so on is hard. The accumulating filth of food, grease, and oils makes the house look and smell unpleasant. Mixing the bathroom sink with the kitchen sink duties is a no-go due to poor hygiene. So, instead of making your bathroom sink a substitute, let's aim to unclog your kitchen sink.
But first, let's
discuss the multiple possibilities for why your kitchen sink is clogged in the
first place. By detecting the source, it will be easier to move on to figuring
out how to solve this issue. So, if you're having issues with a clogged kitchen
sink, let's work together to determine why this has happened and what you can
do about it. Soon enough, you'll return to a normally-functioning kitchen sink!
Here are some
reasons why your kitchen sink might clog.
Bits of
food
When we wash our
dishes, the tiny pieces of food we leave in the plates, or the pans run down
the sink drain, accumulating over time. Since these pieces are small, we
generally think nothing of them, ignoring the possible repercussions in the
coming weeks or months.
If you are guilty
of doing this, as most of us are, ensure you throw away any excess food into
the garbage before washing the dishes.
Grease and
oils
Another reason
your kitchen sink is clogging up is due to grease buildup. When we wash certain
meats in the sink or clean the pans used for cooking, the grease and oils in
these products get washed down the sink but not away.
It stays and
hardens over time, creating a blockage that causes your sink to become clogged.
Since the viscosity of grease and oil is much more than water, it makes sense
that this thickness would cause a buildup.
Calling a plumber in
these tough times may be the best solution. If you have tried fixing the issue
yourself but do not see any signs of them working, save time by seeking
professional help. They will have your clogged kitchen working as usual in no
time!
Soap
Another common
culprit in the crime of clogging up a sink is soap. Since we use soap to wash
almost everything in the sink, including the sink itself, it's no surprise that
this thick and gooey substance would also cause a blockage. Soap can dissolve
in water, but when it comes into contact with oil or grease, it can form a
thick, sticky substance that accumulates in the pipes over time.
Additionally, some
soaps contain chemicals that can react with the minerals in hard water,
creating a layer of scum that clogs pipes.
Mineral
buildup
Mineral buildup is
another common cause of kitchen sink clogs. Water with a high mineral content,
known as hard water, can cause minerals like calcium and magnesium to
accumulate in the pipes and form a hard buildup that restricts water flow. If
left untreated, this mineral buildup can become severe and require professional
plumbing services.
Using a plunger in
such a situation should get you your desired results within minutes. Simply
place the plunger over the drain's opening, ensuring a tight seal to prevent
air from escaping. Then begin plunging up and down with firm pressure. You want
to create a vacuum to dislodge the clog and help it move down the drain.
After plunging for
a few minutes, remove the plunger and run hot water down the drain to see if
the clog has been cleared. If the water isn't flowing, repeat the plunging
process a few more times. Once the clog is cleared, run hot water down the
drain for a few minutes to flush out any remaining debris.
Ventilation
issues
Sometimes, the
problem may be ventilation issues with the drains. Without sufficient airflow
down the pipes, the water flowing from the tap into the drain will not make its
way through as it should. This will cause the water to be blocked. This may
occur due to a block in the ventilation system that creates a vacuum,
disallowing the proper flow of water. Some signs of problematic ventilation you
should look out for are gurgling noises and rising water levels in the sink.
Consider using a
plumbing snake for this issue. A plumbing snake is a long, flexible wire with a
hook on the end that can be used to remove blockages. To use a plumbing snake,
insert the wire into the drain and twist it around to hook onto the
blockage.
Pull the snake out
of the drain, and the blockage should come with it. To ensure this has done its
duty, run some water and check to see if it runs smoothly down the drain.
Corroded
pipes
Old and corroded
pipes can also contribute to clogs in kitchen sinks. Pipes can deteriorate over
time, especially if they are exposed to corrosive materials or if they are not
made of durable materials. These damaged pipes can create blockages that
constrict water flow in the kitchen sink, thus leading to clogs in the drain.
