When you come across a blocked sink, it can be inconvenient not to mention very smelly and potentially hazardous. There are certain things you can do to avoid developing a blocked kitchen sink and knowing what causes a sink to become blocked will help you to avoid them and keep your sink flowing freely and saving you time and effort in the future.
Don’t tip grease, oils and fats down the sink
Grease, oils and fats are a common cause for a blocked drain or any type of sink. Fats and grease will congeal and turn to a solid mass in the pipework which then other debris that goes down the sink will stick to it and cause a potentially massive blockage in your drain. Before washing plates ensure they have no oil or fat remaining on them and wipe over with some paper towel and dispose in the rubbish. Sometimes when cooking we may drain the excess fat or oils off and tip it into the sink. Avoid this temptation and pour into a seal-able container where you can dispose of it in the rubbish bin.
Don’t put food scraps down the sink
We are all known for scraping plates into the sink and them washing the debris down with some water. This can build up and create a large blockage. All things like vegetable peelings, bread, rice and pasta which can become gluey when left sitting in water, which may in turn, block your pipes. People think that if they run some hot water down afterwards all will be okay, but this just creates a bigger problem as the water can make the debris even more sticky and enlarged making the problem worse than it is.
Hair and soap build up in the bathroom
This is a common problem in bathroom sinks and shower plugholes. Hair and soap can build up and end up a solid blockage that sits in the pipes without moving. Long hair can get tangled together and sit in the pipe where soap build-up can connect to it and you just end up with a massive blockage in the pipework. You can buy plug hole covers that capture the hair and pieces of soap. They are just peel and stick so after a few showers you just peel it off and throw it away and replace with a fresh, clean one. This will ensure that your pipework stays clear of debris and blockages.
Carry out maintenance
Sinks get blocked from build-ups, so it is important to take care of your pipework and clean the pipes often with a pipe cleaner that help to break down debris and blockages and aim at eliminating yucky odors. Preventing the problem with a simple drain cleaner will save you costly bills in the future when you need blockages removed and you may even require pipework replacement.
By avoiding putting certain things down your sink and carrying out regular maintenance you will keep your sinks and drains clean and odor free. Plumbers are costly and they may have to dig up your yard to find the pipe that needs to be replaced or to get to the blockage if simple methods like drain cameras cannot fix the problem. Putting preventative measures in place will ensure you won’t suffer a blocked sink or worry about how much a plumbers bill is going to cost.
