It can be frustrating to watch a sink full of water very slowly drain away, if at all, not to mention potentially unhygienic. If your kitchen sink isn’t draining properly, then it’s most likely down to everyday misuse, the results of which have built up over time. But, on rarer occasions, it can be a bigger problem with your plumbing that needs seeing to. Let’s look at some of the reasons your kitchen sink might not be draining properly and how to take care of it.

The drain is blocked up

The easiest cause to detect is if there is food debris on top of the drain or in your strainer that is blocking water from washing down. When you rinse your dishes after cooking and eating, small bits of food are bound to wash into your sink. If these wash down your drain, then they can contribute to a clog, which is why it’s a good idea to place a mesh strainer over your drain to catch these food particles. But, if you do have a strainer, it’s important to clean it out into the trash regularly so that it is not stopping water from draining freely.

There’s a clog in your pipe

If food and other debris regularly wash down your drain, then there might be a clog in your pipes that’s impeding water drainage. The biggest culprits here are cooking oils and grease that congeal in your pipes and cause a blockage. If you suspect there’s a clog in your pipes, then avoid chemical drain cleaners as these can do more harm than good in the long-run. If it’s a minor clog, you might be able to clear it simply using hot water and dish soap. A plunger can also help to shift clogs. If these remedies don’t work, then you should call an emergency plumber to professionally clean your drains and clear the clog.

Frozen pipes

A less likely but more serious cause of poor water drainage is a frozen pipe. If you live in a cold climate, then this is something you should be wary of. If water isn’t draining properly or if water is coming back up and pooling around your drain, this problem could be to blame. If you leave frozen pipes unaddressed, even if the problem only seems minor, then your pipes could eventually burst. If you suspect frozen pipes in your home, turn off the water at the mains and call an emergency plumber.

If you’re having kitchen drain problems anywhere around Clemmons, Winston Salem, and Lewisville, then contact us to keep your plumbing in good shape.