Sink clogs are unfortunately a common occurrence in kitchens; even kitchens with the best regular maintenance and cleaning done on their plumbing can experience an accident that will result in a slow sink drain or even a full blockage. Professional plumbers can help clear out your drains no matter the problem—although some types of clogs are worse problems than others.
Here are a few common reasons you may encounter clogs in your kitchen plumbing that our team at Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing can fix. We offer quality plumbing service in North Potomac, MD that will help keep your kitchen’s plumbing and the plumbing in the rest of your house in top shape.
Common Reasons for Kitchen Sink Clogs
- Fat, oil, and grease (FOG): These three substances, commonly used in cooking and food preparation, are the #1 enemy of sink drains. When FOG is in hot, liquid form, people tend to think it offers no potential to harm pipes—no worse than any other liquid. But FOG only remains in liquid form when it’s hot. After cooling down, FOG changes into a solid: waxy and tough. This will start to coat the insides of your drainpipes, and eventually will cause clogs and a dangerous increase in water pressure. Plumbers can use scouring technology to clear out FOG deposits. You can also take steps to keep from pouring these substances down your drains and instead place them in separate receptacles for the trash.
- Soap scum: This is a common foe of kitchen and bathroom sinks. Soap does not often wash down a drainpipe completely, and it leaves behind a residue that can release acid into the pipes and create damage. This soap scum will also start to close off the drains and trigger clogs. Full drain cleaning services are often necessary to eliminate soap scum build-up.
- Sewer line problems: Here is one of the more serious troubles that can assault your plumbing. You may notice it in your sink first, but sewer lines breaks or blocks will eventually cause clogs throughout your plumbing, and will lead to worse problems with sewage back-up in your house’s foundations. If the blocks in your sink are accompanied by foul odors and gurgling sounds, then you may have a sewer line issue and must call for professionals immediately.
When you encounter a kitchen sink clog, you should try to remove it using a plunger if you have one handy. Plungers are safe for your pipes and easy to use. If the sink plunger does not work, don’t resort to any other home remedy or store bought chemicals for clogs; most of these will damage the pipes. Call Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing instead and look to our assistance with your kitchen plumbing in North Potomac, MD.