A slow or blocked kitchen sink is one of the most common household annoyances. The good news is that a few simple habits go a long way. Here are our top tips for keeping your kitchen sink and its waste pipe clean and clear.
Prevent blockages before they start
The best approach is to stop blockages forming in the first place:
- use a sink strainer to catch food scraps and debris
- never pour grease, oil or fat down the sink
- clean the plughole regularly with a drain cleaner, or with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar
- keep fibrous food waste out of the sink
If your sink is draining slowly
If your sink is starting to back up, try these steps:
- Use a sink plunger to dislodge the blockage.
- Try a sink auger (a small drain snake) to break it up.
- Pour in bicarbonate of soda followed by vinegar, leave it for 30 minutes, then flush with hot water.
- As a last resort, use a chemical drain cleaner, carefully and exactly as the label says.
Regular care, and acting quickly when a sink starts to slow, will help keep your kitchen sink clear and prevent bigger problems.
A leaking trap or waste pipe under the sink is something we can fix. Blocked underground or outside drains are a job for a drainage specialist, as drainage isn’t work we do.
