Top Five Things to Avoid a Clogged Kitchen Sink

Knowing how to prevent a clogged kitchen sink will save you time, money, and help keep your plumbing system running smoothly. 

Here are the top Five things you can do to avoid a clogged kitchen sink:

Use a Mesh Drain Strainer

Using a mesh drain strainer is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to prevent a clogged kitchen sink.  Food particles and other non-liquids sit in the strainer allowing you to throw them in the trash instead of going down the drain. 

Mesh strainers can be found at just about any store or you can order one online. 

Make sure you clean your mesh drain strainer frequently. 

Don’t Put Food Scraps or Grease Down the Drain

Food and grease can and will cover the inside of your pipes and accumulate over time. 

You can avoid a clogged kitchen sink by scraping food scraps off of plates and bowls before you rinse or wash them in the sink. 

One of the worst things you can pour down your sink is oil/grease.  Warm grease runs down your drain and then cools and solidifies inside the pipe.  Food and other particles stick to the congealed oil and can become hard over time.

Pour excess oil and liquid grease in a sealable container or jar.  After it cools you can throw it away in the trash. 

If grease does end up going down the drain, bring a large pot of hot water to a boil.  Pour some dish soap down your drain (2+ tablespoons), and then slowly pour the hot water down the drain.  This should help prevent a future clog. 

Don’t Use Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners contain harsh acids which can corrode your pipes over time. 

Don’t Use Objects to Force Blockage Through

Using an object such as a broom handle or wire hanger to try to “move” the clog can bend your pipes or even poke holes in them causing additional damage and expense. 

Rinse Drain with Hot Water

Each time you wash or rinse dishes, run hot water down the drain for a bit.  This will help move any small food particles or oily residue through your pipes and prevent your sink from clogging. 

Frequent or persistent clogs can sometimes be a sign of bigger plumbing issue problems developing deep inside your system. If you are experiencing frequent clogs or other plumbing issues, it may be time to consider having your plumbing system inspected by a trained technician. Using a camera probe, they can quickly locate clogs, leaks, and damage inside your home’s pipes or sewer lines and recommend the right solutions.

Persistent Clogged Kitchen Sinks Need a Plumbing Professional

Following these tips can help keep your kitchen drain clog free.  However, if despite your best efforts, you wind up with a stubborn clog that won’t drain, or frequent persistent clogs, it may be a sign of a larger pluming issue. 

The plumbing professionals at High Speed Plumbing have specialized plumbing equipment that can access to remedy persistent clogs and blockages.

• Plumbers Snake - a flexible cable with a twist-able accessory at the tip. Using a twisting motion, the cable makes its way through drains to punch through clogs.
• Drain Auger - Performs the same job as plumber snakes but are used on larger diameter pipes.
• Drain Camera – A tiny camera on the end of a flexible line that feeds a live video of your drain to a CCTV system. Using a drain camera will help determine the location of the blockage inside your pipes. 
• Hydro Jet: Uses a high-pressure water jet to clear blockages in your pipes or sewers.

By utilizing these tools our plumbing professionals can find and remove the build up causing your clogged kitchen sink prevent future clogs before they occur. 

At High Speed Plumbing, we pride ourselves on providing comprehensive drain cleaning services to fit all your needs.