June 11, 2024
At Hank & Sons Plumbing, one of the
most common home plumbing problems we encounter is clogged kitchen
sinks. In most cases, homeowners are able to clear the clog on their
own. However, clearing stubborn clogs may require the services of an
experienced plumbing professional.
Kitchen sinks can become clogged for
many reasons. Trying to pass too much material down the drain at one
time is a major cause of kitchen sink clogs. Another is placing the
wrong items down the drain.
While a common plumbing problem,
kitchen sink clogs aren’t necessarily a minor one. Clogs can damage
your pipes and cause corrosion. Backed up, overflowing kitchen sinks
have the potential to cause significant damage to your home.
PREVENTING CLOGGED
SINKS
The good news is that most kitchen sink
clogs can be prevented. One of the best ways to avoid kitchen sink
clogs and prevent damage to your drains and pipes is to be careful
about what you dispose of down your drains. Here are twenty things
that should never be placed down a kitchen sink drain:
- Cooking Oil and Grease: These can solidify and coat the inside of your drain, causing blockages in your pipes over time.
- Coffee Grounds: Coffee grounds can accumulate in drains and create stubborn clogs.
- Eggshells: Eggshells can stick to pipe walls and contribute to blockages.
- Pasta and Rice: These foods expand when exposed to water, blocking drains.
- Bones: Dispose of bones in the trash; they can damage garbage disposals and cause blockages in pipes.
- Fruit Rinds: Watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit and other fruit rinds can get stuck in drains and cause clogs. they can also be hard on your garbage disposal unit.
- Paint: Dispose of paint properly; it can release harmful chemicals and should never go down drains.
- Household Chemicals: Strong cleaners, solvents, and bleach can damage pipes and harm the environment.
- Dirt and Soil: Dirt and soil can cause clogs and damage your pipes.
- Cat Litter: Even if labeled as flushable, cat litter can clump and cause serious blockages in pipes.
- Fats: Similar to cooking oil, fats can congeal and lead to stubborn clogs.
- Plastic: Never dispose of plastic materials down drains as they do not break down and can cause severe blockages.
- Food Packaging: Cardboard food packaging can become lodged in drains, causing clogs.
- Food Packaging: Cardboard food packaging can become lodged in drains, causing clogs.
- Fruit Pits: Dispose of fruit pits in the garbage; they can get stuck in pipes and cause blockages.
- Chewing Gum: It can stick to pipes and cause blockages over time.
- Paper Towels and Napkins: These types of paper products don’t break down easily and can clog pipes.
- Chemical Drain Cleaners: While intended to clear clogs, they can damage pipes and harm the environment.
- Grease from Grilling: Dispose of grilling grease in the trash; pouring it down drains can lead to blockages.
- Industrial Chemicals: Never dispose of industrial chemicals down drains without proper guidance; they can cause serious environmental damage.
- Children: Teach your children what not to place toys, coins, and other foreign objects down the drain.
PROFESSIONAL DRAIN
CLEANING SERVICES IN POMONA, CA
If plungers, augers, and drain cleaners
aren’t getting rid of a kitchen sink clog, it’s time to call Hank &
Sons Plumbing. In some instances, persistent kitchen sink clogs can
be the result of a deep clog or damaged drainpipe. We have the tools
and talent to clear even the most stubborn of clogs and repair or
replace a damaged drain pipe.
You can reach us by phone at 909-524-2906 or
contact us through our website to schedule a service call from a
licensed Pomona plumber.