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Clearing a Clogged Kitchen Sink in Carlsbad, CA

October 18, 2022

Clearing a Clogged Kitchen Sink in Carlsbad, CA

A clogged kitchen sink is one of the most common home plumbing problems in Carlsbad, CA. Fortunately, it’s usually not a very serious one. In most cases, you can clear a clogged kitchen sink without having to call a plumber.

Kitchen sinks generally get clogged up for three reasons: you tried to wash too much material down the drain; you tried to wash the wrong materials down the drain; or, your drain pipes have become damaged.

Common Causes of Kitchen Sink Clogs

To prevent clogs, limit the amount of food and other waste you place down your kitchen drain. There are some materials you should never pour down your kitchen sink. These include:

  • Grease, fats, and cooking oils
  • Bones
  • Egg and nut shells
  • Seeds and fruit pits
  • Paper products
  • Plastic food wrapping
  • Coffee grounds
  • Rocks, pebbles, sand, and soil
  • Glass
  • Pasta, potatoes, rice, and other sticky foods
  • Bread and other foods that expand when wet
  • Toys, jewelry, and other objects

Even soap can leave scum that can build up on the insides of your pipes, obstructing the flow of water and materials through the drain.

How to Clear a Clogged Kitchen Sink

If your sink is clogging up, don’t panic. There are many ways to clear a clogged kitchen sink.

Try running the garbage disposal. This may be enough to dislodge and chop up the material so that it can be washed down the drain.

  • Kitchen sink plungers and drain snakes are two simple tools that are very effective when it comes to clearing a kitchen sink clog.
  • Drain cleaners. These are concoctions you pour down the drain. The chemicals react with the materials clogging the drain to loosen them up. Many drain cleaners use caustic chemicals that can be dangerous to your health and the health of your pipes. Fortunately, there are fewer toxic alternatives. A baking soda, vinegar, and hot water mixture can do the same job without harmful chemicals.

Persistent Kitchen Sink Clogs

If you can’t clear a kitchen sink clog or are experiencing a persistently clogged kitchen sink, you may need to call a professional. A hydro jetting treatment may be needed to dislodge an especially stubborn clog. Hydro jetting uses jets of high-pressure water to clear away even the worst clogs.

A persistent clog may also be the result of a root intrusion or other type of pipe damage. The plumber may have to replace that section of the pipe to get rid of your clog.

Your First Choice for Plumbing Emergencies in Carlsbad, CA

If you can’t seem to unclog your kitchen sink drain, give 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration a call. We’ve been providing expert plumbing services to homes and businesses in Carlsbad, CA, and surrounding communities since 2012. Our team of licensed Carlsbad, CA plumbers has the training, tools, and parts to tackle just about any plumbing job – usually in a single visit.

A plumbing emergency like a clogged kitchen sink can happen at any time. That’s why 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration provides 24/7 emergency plumbing services. Contact us any time of the day or night through our website or call us at 866-437-0205. In most cases, one of our Carlsbad, CA plumbers can be onsite within an hour of your call.