Seven simple ways to prevent clogged kitchen sink drains
Why is my kitchen sink draining slowly? Why is there a bad smell coming from the sink drain? Why is my drain gurgling? These are all symptoms of a clog located somewhere down in the wastewater line that is causing your kitchen sink to block-up. There are plenty of ways to fix a blocked drain in the kitchen including plunging or calling a licensed plumber. However, the best remedy for a blocked drain is always prevention. Below are some handy tips of maintaining the health of your drains that could save you hundred in blocked drain repairs.
Here are seven simple ways you can keep your kitchen sink unclogged and free from unpleasant odours.
Catch food waste: Use a drain-grate or tea sieve to cover the drain opening. This will catch any larger scraps, preventing them from entering the pipes and clogging up the drain.
Don’t put coffee grounds down the sink: Coffee grounds are a major cause of blocked drains because they don’t flow well with water. Grounds tend to form a thick sludge on the bottom of the pipes and can build up over time causing a blocked drain. Coffee grounds make excellent fertilisers so spread them around the garden or compost them.
Don’t put tea leaves down the sink: If you prefer tea to coffee, the same rules still apply when it comes to blocked drains. Tea leaves tend to swell and expand in water and can build up over time in the S bend leading to a blockage. Like coffee, tea is a great fertiliser for the garden.
Foods that swell: Tea isn’t the only item that expands in water. Things like rice, couscous, flour, pastry and pasta can also cause problems and these scraps should be put in the bin.
Miscellaneous household items: Other debris items such straws, fruit label stickers, cutlery and tooth picks may accidentally end up in your plumbing pipes when rinsing plates or pieces of fruit. While a single item won’t necessarily lead to a blocked sink, a gradual build up over time may result in a blockage. Again, using a drain grate will catch most of these items and prevent them from entering your plumbing pipes.
Dispose of grease properly: Oil, fats and grease are one of the biggest causes of blocked drains. When they cool, they can solidify and stick to the pipes. Over time the hole in the pipes gets thinner and thinner, eventually leading to a blockage. The best way to prevent this from happening is by pouring large amounts of oil into a plastic bottle and then disposing of it in the garbage. Even small amounts of grease on plates can cause problems so make sure you use plenty of hot soapy water when rinsing dishes.
Utilise hot water: Regularly running hot water or pouring boiling water down the drain in your kitchen sink is a great way to prevent any built up grease or food scraps from forming a blockage.
How to unblock a sink drain in the kitchen
Clogged sink drains in the kitchen are normally simple and quick to fix. In many cases you can unblock a sink yourself without having to call a plumber. We never recommend chemical drain cleaners because they can take a long time to work, damage your pipes and are harmful to the environment. Instead, try one of the following options below:
How to unclog a sink with a drain plunger: if you have a drain plunger lying around the house this is the easiest method to unblock a kitchen sink. Make sure it’s a cup plunger not a flange plunger. You need a small amount of water in the sink, so either fill i slightly or remove some if it’s already full and won’t drain at all. Create a tight seal over the drain opening with the plunger and pump it up and down with quick, forceful movements.
How to unblock to unblock a sink manually by unscrewing the sink trap: underneath the sink there is a sink trap. These can look a little bit different depending on the sink but the same principles apply. Make sure you take note of all the pieces and how they fit together so you can put it back correctly once the clog is fixed. Have a bucket and a few old towels ready and put on rubber gloves before you start. Use a wrench to unscrew the locknuts on either side of the trap. Use a cleaning brush to thoroughly clean out anything inside the trap into the bucket. Go to another sink and wash the trap, then put it back together the same way you took it apart.
Call a blocked drain plumber Sydney
The above methods are simple and easy ways to avoid or fix blocked kitchen sink drains. However, if you have a blocked kitchen sink drain and are unable to unclog it, the local plumbers at JAB Plumbing Solutions can repair the issue quickly. We have the expertise and equipment to fix blockages of all types and are available for emergency repairs. For an obligation free quote call us on 1800 225 552.
