There are many common causes of a clogged sink. And there are also helpful tips on how to troubleshoot a clogged sink. Utility sinks, bathroom sink, and kitchen sinks can become clogged for various reasons. Unless the underlying cause is addressed, this problem can happen over and over again to create a major inconvenience to you and disrupt the entire plumbing system in your home.
In some cases, a professional plumber is the only resort you have depending on how severe the problem is.
Virtually every homeowner in New York has experienced a sink clog, and this inconvenient experience has taught us a lot of good lessons about the most common causes of a clogged sink and how to troubleshoot them, as briefly outlined below.
Food items and paper
A clogged sink can happen anytime a large piece of food or paper enters the drain. Similar to other things, those materials will not instantly block the pipe, but it does not mean that you can continue throwing away foods into the drain. The materials will accumulate over time and prevent water from flowing properly. Toilet or towel paper should not go into the drain as well.
• Troubleshooting tip: Drain cleaner is a good way to solve this problem. If you can find an environmentally friendly drain cleaner, use it instead of the chemical-based ones. Many folks have success if they properly use baking soda and vinegar to clear a sink clog.
If you unclog a sink with chemical drain cleaners, you should note that they are generally toxic. They can deteriorate the pipes if used on a regular basis. Therefore, if you use such a cleaner anytime your drain is clogged, the pipes are probably getting damaged quicker than you expect.
Drain pipe replacement will cost a lot more money than using the recommended drain cleaning product. In case the drain cleaner does not solve your clogged sink problem, a professional plumber will be able to help you with that.
Fat or grease
Fatty substances are the most common causes of a clogged sink, but fortunately, they are also the easiest to prevent. Any oily substance can stick to the inside of pipes, and it will accumulate over time to block flows of water.
To prevent this from happening, pay attention to any substance you decide to wash away. If you think the substance contains oil or fat, do not place it in the sink. use a receptacle for such items, to keep them away from your sink.
• Troubleshooting tip: grease or fatty substances should be thrown away in the garbage bin. If any of these items have already entered the drain, run your garbage disposal but with hot water. It may help to break down the fats so they can flow properly inside the pipe.
A clogged sink from hair
Basically, any physical non-liquid object can cause a clogged sink including hair. Many people overlook this issue and think that because hair is very light, a rush of water will take them away. Some hair strands are typically left behind; accumulation of hair will eventually cause drainage problems.
• Troubleshooting tip: Install sink strainers to prevent hair from entering the pipe. They are quite inexpensive and easy to clean.
Feminine hygiene products
A clogged toilet is probably the most inconvenient of all drain problems. It happens mostly when people try to flush down items that are not actually flushable, for example, female hygiene products.
Last year in New York, a dentist filed a lawsuit against a company that advertised its wipes as flushable because his pipes were clogged. Many products are advertised as flushable indeed, but you may not want to try to flush them just to prove that the advertisement is true.
• Troubleshooting tip: A sink drain plunger is your first line of defense. An effective plunger shoots water to clear anything that blocks the pipe. To make sure there is nothing left behind, use a hand-powered auger. This is not a pleasant experience indeed but a hand auger has better reach, allowing you to go deeper to the toilet’s drain.
You may retrieve some culprits such as your child’s toy inside it. The best way to make sure it doesn’t happen again is to flush only waste and materials that dissolve easily in water.
Things that you should not flush in your drain to prevent a clogged sink:
• Rags
• Acidic or corrosive substances
• Coffee grinds
• Oils from lawnmowers
• Paper towels
• Feminine hygiene products
• Medications
• Paints, nail polish, solvents, polish remover
• Condoms
• Motor oil and any toxic chemicals
• Flammable substances
• Explosive
• Plastic
Can leaves and trees clog a drain or cause a clogged sink?
When fall is coming, homeowners are busy keeping their gardens tidy, doing routine maintenance to make sure that all fallen leaves are not cluttering a home’s appearance. Besides for good housekeeping reasons, keeping your garden clean can also help to prevent clogged area drains as well. This is among a number of good drain line tips during the Fall season.
Leaves and organic material are a drain line issue
Leaves can be a major problem, as they accumulate they can block a drain, or even create a trip hazard. Of course, after doing your garden cleanup, do not empty the debris down your sink, no matter how tempting that may be. However, this is NOT a common cause of a clogged sink.
Sink drain lines are above the finished floor, and your house foundation act as a natural barrier to root growth.
Another common culprit of drain and sewer problems is tree roots that crack into the pipes and cause blockages. Naturally, that is a much bigger problem than a clogged area drain or backed-up sink. Our closely associated company, Balkan Sewer And Water Main Service specializes in that sort of repair work.
• Troubleshooting tip: Make sure all the leaves from your garden are taken away to a safe place far from your home’s plumbing system, and in particular area drains and yard drains.
You can even bury these organic items (if you have the time to do that). An even better idea is to use them as garden mulch after grinding them up. Leaves on top of the garden may also provide a nesting place for birds, rodents, or other animals.
In addition, leaves can clog or block your vent pipes. A good example of why this is a problem is when you put a straw into a glass of water and cover the open end of the straw with your finger. When you lift the straw up, the water inside the straw will remain in it because there is no air to displace the water. If air can enter the vent freely, it may solve your drain or slow-running sink problem.
Consider a Professional Drain Cleaner For Your Clogged Sink Issues
There are many reasons why you can have a clogged sink apart from the aforementioned. In some situations, the problems and culprits can be worse than you think. If you are not sure about your plumbing skills or what the actual reason is, calling a professional drain cleaner to unclog a sink is a good idea.
Even better step may be a professional can help to check other vulnerable areas and recommend the best preventive methods.
The Balkan Drain Team is “The Team To Trust”
For over 70 years and with over 90,000 satisfied customers, it’s easy to see why New Yorkers trust Team Balkan for their drain, water main, and sewer issues. Not only does Balkan guarantee a response time of under 4 hours at all times, they also offer a multitude of payment methods.
Balkan ensures that your plumbing problem is solved in a stress-free manner and that your payment can be made in a stress-free manner as well.
