Why Does My Kitchen Sink Keep Clogging?

You know that feeling when your kitchen sink just won’t drain? The water is rising, and you’re staring down at a gross, murky pool wondering what is going on down there. Those annoying clogs always seem to happen at the worst times too – like when you’re trying to prep a big meal or have company over.

Before you start violently scrubbing in frustration, let’s take a step back. Getting to the root cause of why your kitchen sink keeps clogging is key to finally fixing the issue for good. From food remnants to foreign objects to good old-fashioned pipe problems, there are several likely culprits at play.

We’ll walk through all the typical reasons for a clogged kitchen sink and some easy DIY unclogging methods to try yourself. We’re talking baking soda and vinegar chemistry experiments, plunger plunges, and drain snake fishing expeditions. But don’t worry, if those fail, we’ve got the 411 on when to call in a professional drain-unclogging ninja to take over. No clog is too stubborn!

Common Causes of Kitchen Sink Clogs

Alright, let’s get to the bottom of what’s really going on with that clogged kitchen sink of yours. There are a few main troublemakers that tend to cause most backed up drain situations.

Food Junk

It’s obvious but food remnants are usually the biggest pain for drains. All those little bits and pieces from cooking and doing dishes have a funny way of escaping down your sink and turning into a nasty clog party down there. Greasy, oily stuff is the worst. That slippery mess can coat the inside of pipes over time until other food particles start sticking to it and building up into a total blockage.

Stringy foods are also bad news. Stuff like celery strings or potato peels can get tangled into gross drain knots and hairballs. Oh, and please stop dumping coffee grounds down your sink! We don’t care how much of a hurry you’re in – those little gritty bits are like pouring cement straight into your pipes.

Random Dropped Stuff

We’ve all done it before – you’re cleaning up after a meal and accidentally knock a utensil or little doodad into the sink before rinsing everything away. Those dropped items then have a funny way of disappearing down the drain, only to get stuck and start blocking up the water flow.

Hair from brushing or shaving is another sneaky one. Those little strands have an amazing ability to bind together into disgusting hairballs that can completely clog up pipes. Even soap scum buildup over years of use can slowly narrow pipes until drainage gets restricted.

Pipe Problems

Sometimes the pipes themselves are the real issue, not whatever is going down the drain. Older pipes can deteriorate and get cracks, corrosion, or mineral buildup clogging the insides over decades. Pipes that weren’t installed properly with the right sloping can end up with dips and bellies that allow water to pool and get blocked.

And then you’ve got the dreaded invasive tree roots. Those little suckers have an uncanny ability to infiltrate underground pipes from the outside, puncturing holes and causing obstructions. Dealing with root clogs is one of the biggest headaches.

In a nutshell, the main culprits gunking up your kitchen drain are likely food junk, random dropped items, hair, soap scum, old crappy pipes, and invasive roots. Figuring out which specific ninja you’re dealing with is key to finding the best unclogging solution. But don’t worry, we’ve got some drain-busting tricks to share!

DIY Unclogging Methods

So you’ve identified your clogging culprit – now it’s time to take that drain ninja down! Before you call in the big guns, there are some DIY unclogging methods worth trying first.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

This classic drain clearing combo is sort of like an easy, at-home science experiment. Just pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda down the clogged drain first. Then follow it with an equal amount of vinegar. Let that fizzy concoction work its magic for 10-15 minutes as the chemical reaction helps dissolve gunk and dislodge debris. Finally, flush it all out with a kettle of boiling water. The baking soda and vinegar are a gentle, natural way to help clear minor clogs.

Plunger

Don’t just think of plungers for unclogging toilets! They can work wonders on sink clogs too if you use the right technique. First, make sure you have a good seal by filling the sink with enough water to cover the plunger cup. Then start vigorously plunging straight up and down to force water both ways and dislodge the clog. It might take some serious elbow grease, but plungers can be surprisingly effective.

Drain Snake

For tougher clogs, you may need to go in for a closer look with a drain snake. These long, flexible auger cables can reach way down into pipes to grab hair, food, or whatever is causing the blockage. You can get basic hand-cranked models or fancier electric drain snakes. Just be careful not to crank them too aggressively and damage pipes. Slowly and patiently work the snake back and forth to grab and pull out the clog.

Baking Soda and Salt

For a more abrasive approach, you can try the baking soda and salt method. Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of salt. Then slowly pour in a kettle of boiling water and let it sit for several hours or overnight. The salt acts as an abrasive to help scour away gunk while the baking soda continues dissolving debris.

Drain Cleaning Products

If you’d rather not mess with DIY ingredient combos, you can pick up some commercial drain cleaning products. Look for eco-friendly, enzyme-based formulas that use bacteria to help break down organic matter and hair clogs over time. Just be cautious with harsh chemical products as they can damage pipes.

Wet/Dry Vacuum

For clogs that just won’t seem to fully clear, you may need to bring in some serious suction power. A wet/dry shop vacuum can sometimes dislodge and pull out the stickiest, most stubborn drain blockages when nothing else is working. Just make sure to properly seal it over the drain opening for maximum suction force.

Those are some of the top DIY unclogging methods to try tackling that kitchen sink clog yourself. If none of those seem to do the trick though, it might be time to call in a professional plumber with the really big drain snakes and rooter equipment. Sometimes you just need those heavy-duty tools to knock out the nastiest clogs!

Preventative Measures

Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to nasty kitchen sink clogs. There are some simple steps you can take to avoid dealing with backed-up drains in the first place.

Using a Drain Strainer

One of the easiest preventative measures is just popping a drain strainer or catch in your sink. These little mesh or perforated covers let water flow through while trapping food particles, hair, and other debris before it goes down the drain. Just make a habit of giving it a quick rinse or empty after doing dishes. Drain strainers are cheap and easy to install – no special plumbing skills required!

Proper Food Disposal

It’s also important to be mindful of what you’re rinsing down your kitchen sink. Scrape plates and dishes into the trash or compost bin before rinsing to prevent food remnants from going down the drain. Never pour grease, oil, or fat down there either – that’s just asking for a clogged pipe nightmare. If you have a garbage disposal, use it properly by only grinding up small food bits, not fibrous or starchy items.

Regular Maintenance

Even if you’re diligent about what goes down the drain, it’s still a good idea to give your sink pipes some regular TLC. Do a monthly drain clearing by pouring in some baking soda and vinegar and flushing with hot water. You can also invest in an inexpensive drain snake or zip-it tool to manually pull out hair and gunk buildup every few months.

Use a Drain Cleaner

Another preventative option is to use a drain cleaning product regularly, even if you don’t have an active clog. Look for eco-friendly, enzyme-based formulas that use “good” bacteria to help break down organic matter and keep pipes clear over time. Just be sure to follow the product instructions.

Watch What You Flush

In addition to the kitchen sink, be mindful of what’s going down bathroom sink and shower drains too. Avoid flushing things like feminine products, flushable wipes, hair, dental floss, etc. that can contribute to clogs. Keep a drain strainer or hair catcher in showers and tubs.

Check Pipe Condition

Every so often, you may want to have a plumber do a camera inspection of your home’s pipe condition, especially if you have older plumbing. This can identify issues like cracks, mineral buildup, improper sloping, or tree root intrusions before a major clog occurs.

An ounce of preventative maintenance goes a long way! Taking some simple precautions like using drain strainers and being mindful of what goes down your sinks and pipes can save you a serious clogged drain headache down the road.

Kick Those Annoying Clogged Kitchen Sink Problems to the Curb

Okay, you’re all set with the playbook on how to identify and tackle those pesky kitchen sink clogs now. Whether it’s figuring out if you’re dealing with a food gunk monster, hair blanket, or rusty old pipe – you’ve got the detective skills. And you’ve got some DIY unclogging tricks to try like baking soda volcanos or going a few rounds with a plunger.

If those homemade remedies don’t quite get the job done though, no worries! That’s when you’ll want to call in the big gun plumbers at Precision Today. Our crew has all the serious drain snake equipment and have been unclogging stubborn clogs for decades. We’ll make quick work of even the most obnoxious, nasty kitchen sink backup that’s driving you up a wall. Just hit us up at (630) 425-8995 to get scheduled and finally tell those clogged drain headaches to take a hike!