Kitchen sink keeps clogging? Here's why, and how to stop it
A kitchen sink that keeps clogging almost always means grease built up inside the pipe. A plunger or snake opens a hole, but the grease stays. Jetting cleans it out.
Backing up right now? I answer 24/7 in Libby, Troy and about 60 miles around.
406-291-6808Need it cleared? That's what my kitchen sink drain cleaning in Libby and Troy is for.
Why it keeps coming back
Grease goes down warm and liquid. In the pipe it cools and sticks. Food and soap stick to that. Year after year the pipe gets narrower, until one day it stops.
Why the plunger stops working
A plunger or snake punches through the middle of the clog. The grease on the walls is still there, so it closes up again fast.
My monthly tip
Once a month, run hot water with a good squirt of Dawn dish soap down the drain. Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing. Keep coffee grounds out of the sink. The EPA SepticSmart page says the same about grease.
When to call me
- Both sides of a double sink back up
- It clogs again within weeks
- Water comes up in another drain
Common questions
Do drain cleaners from the store work?
For grease, they rarely get it all. Hot water and Dawn once a month works better as a habit.
Is jetting safe for my pipes?
Ask me on the call. I'll tell you what I'd use on your line and why.
Read next
- What does hydro jetting cost? What changes the price
- Toilet keeps clogging or gurgling? One clog or a main line problem?
Chris Desorcy owns Kootenai Drains in Libby, Montana. He's cleared drains and sewer lines around Libby and Troy for about 6 years with a professional hydro jetter and a sewer camera. He's a drain cleaner, not a plumber, and he answers his own phone. More about Chris