How Do Kitchen & Bathroom Sink Blockages Differ?

Few things are more frustrating than turning on the faucet and finding the water draining sluggishly, if at all. Few things are more frustrating than turning on the faucet and finding the water draining sluggishly, if at all.

Though both cause headaches, the culprits behind kitchen vs. bathroom sink clogs can differ.

Hair, soap scum and shedded skin are common bathroom sink offenders. In the kitchen, grease, food scraps and cooking residue tend to cause the most problems. Knowing the source of the clog makes a difference in how you can prevent and remove blockages yourself.

At Werrington Plumbing, we have extensive experience dealing with all types of household drain blockages. Whether it’s a slow bathroom sink or completely clogged kitchen drain, our licenced plumbers have seen it all. We’re ready to diagnose the issue and get your sink flowing freely again.

Common Causes of Kitchen Sink Clogs

Kitchen sinks see a lot of debris go down their drains daily. From food particles to oils and grease, many common kitchen activities can lead to clogged drains.

Here are some of the most common culprits of kitchen sink blockages:

• Food - Leftover scraps, crumbs, and particles wash down the drain and accumulate over time. Foods notorious for clogging include rice, pasta, oatmeal, and coffee grounds.
• Fats, oils and grease - Cooking oils, salad dressings, bacon grease, butter and margarine can coat pipes and quickly build up.
• Soap scum - Handwashing dishes and cleaning the sink exposes pipes to soap scum that sticks to the sides.
• Foreign objects - Utensils, bottle caps, or small items accidentally dropped down the drain can get lodged and cause a clog.

Regularly running the garbage disposal can help minimise debris buildup. Regularly running the garbage disposal can help minimise debris buildup. Avoid pouring fats directly down the drain. Regularly running the garbage disposal can help minimise debris buildup.

Using drain covers, strainers and catching food particles before they go down the sink are other smart preventative steps.

For tough clogs, avoid commercial drain cleaners. We can safely remove even severe kitchen sink blockages without damaging your pipes. Contact Werrington Plumbing to unclog your blocked kitchen sink.

Common Causes of Bathroom Sink Clogs

Bathroom sinks contend with their own unique sources of clogging compared to kitchen sinks.

Here are the most frequent culprits leading to bathroom sink backups:

• Hair - Strands from shaving, brushing and styling cling to pipes. Over time, large tangled clogs form.
• Toiletries - Toothpaste, facial creams and makeup particles wash down the drain and stick together.
• Soap scum - Daily face washing and handsoap use coat pipes with sticky soap film.
• Shaved beard trimmings - Stray hairs and shaving cream create dense clogs.

Preventing bathroom sink clogs starts with hair catchers and strainers to grab strands before they slip down the drain. Avoid brushing hair directly over the sink. Frequently removing built-up hair will also help minimise clog risks.

For backed up bathroom sinks, avoid harsh liquid drain cleaners. Our professional plumbers can safely clear even severe clogs and get your bathroom sink flowing freely again. Contact Werrington Plumbing to unclog your bathroom sink drain.

How Pipe Layout Impacts Clogs

The layout and size of pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks can contribute to clogs forming.

Kitchen sinks often have more direct vertical drops with fewer bends and turns compared to bathroom sink piping. This allows water to flow freely downward without accumulating in traps or elbow joints. Kitchen drains also tend to be wider, allowing more debris to easily pass through.

In contrast, bathroom sink drains frequently have more twists and turns built into their piping layout. This allows water to pool in low points, letting hair, soap scum and particles settle out of the water flow and stick to pipe walls. The smaller drain diameters, around 1.5 inches, also let logs jam up easier.

Horizontal lengths of piping and p-traps just under the sink are other common catch points. Sediment settling out along flat sections of pipe is harder to dislodge and remove.

When tackling bathroom or kitchen sink clogs, understanding the drain layout helps pinpoint problem areas. A professional plumber can strategically snake drains and target debris at multiple angles.

At Werrington Plumbing, our licenced technicians have an intricate knowledge of household drain systems. We can quickly clear clogs and get water flowing freely again. Contact us when your kitchen or bathroom sink backs up.

Preventing Kitchen Sink Clogs

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to avoiding troublesome kitchen sink clogs.

Try these tips to help prevent blockages before they start:

• Use drain strainers and catchers over sinks to stop food particles from slipping down the drain.
• Scrape plates and dispose of food waste in the trash before rinsing.
• Avoid pouring grease or oils directly down the drain. Let cool and discard in the trash instead.
• Run plenty of hot water while washing dishes to help flush debris down the drain.
• Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain weekly to melt grease buildup.
• Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1 cup vinegar and let foam for 5 minutes before rinsing down the drain monthly.
• Have a professional plumber snake drains annually to remove any accumulation.

Avoid using harsh liquid drain cleaners - they can damage pipes. For tough clogs, call our experts at Werrington Plumbing. We safely remove even severe blockages and get your kitchen sink flowing freely again.

Preventing Bathroom Sink Clogs

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to avoiding troublesome bathroom sink clogs.

• Use drain strainers and stoppers to catch hair and debris before it goes down the drain
• Avoid brushing or styling hair directly over the sink
• Collect hair from brushes/combs and discard in trash regularly
• Wipe away toothpaste and shaving cream residue after use
• Pour boiling water weekly to melt soap scum and dissolve buildup
• Mix 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar monthly and let sit 5 minutes before rinsing
• Have a professional plumber snake drains annually to remove accumulation

Avoid harsh liquid drain cleaners - they can damage pipes. For tough clogs, the experts at Werrington Plumbing can safely clear even severe bathroom sink blockages.

DIY Methods to Unclog a Kitchen Sink

Before calling a professional plumber, there are several DIY methods you can try to unclog a kitchen sink:

• Baking Soda and Vinegar - Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1 cup hot vinegar and pour down the drain. Let sit for 5-10 minutes then rinse with hot water.
• Plunger - Place a wet rag over the drain to form a seal. Plunge up and down rapidly to dislodge the clog.
• Wire Hanger - Straighten out the hanger and form a small hook on one end. Reach down the drain and fish out debris.
• Hot Water - Boil a full kettle and pour slowly down the drain to melt grease. Caution: Avoid pouring down plastic pipes.
• Salt and Baking Soda - Pour 1/2 cup salt down the drain. Follow with 1/2 cup baking soda. Let sit 10-15 minutes, then rinse with hot water.

Avoid using harsh liquid drain cleaners as they can damage pipes. For severe clogs, contact the friendly experts at Werrington Plumbing. We can unclog even the toughest kitchen sink blockages quickly and safely.

DIY Methods to Unclog a Bathroom Sink

Before calling a plumber, try these DIY methods to unclog a blocked bathroom sink drain:

• Plunger - Place a wet rag over the drain opening to form a seal. Forcefully plunge up and down to dislodge the clog.
• Baking Soda and Vinegar - Pour 1⁄2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1 cup heated white vinegar. Let bubble for 5-10 minutes then rinse with hot water.
• Wire Hanger - Straighten out the hanger and bend one end to form a small hook. Reach down the drain and fish out hair and debris.
• Drain Snake - Insert a plastic drain snake down the pipe. Crank the handle to grab hair and gunk. Slowly pull out debris.

Avoid using harsh liquid drain cleaners as they can damage pipes. For severe bathroom sink clogs, the friendly experts at Werrington Plumbing can clear even the toughest blockages quickly and safely.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While many basic clogs can be remedied with simple at-home solutions, there are instances when calling a professional plumber is the best course of action:

• If DIY methods don’t successfully clear the clog after several attempts
• For deep clogs beyond reachable DIY tools
• When a complete blockage leaves water unable to drain at all
• For ongoing frequent clogs pointing to a larger underlying issue
• When a clog coincides with a foul sewage odour, indicating a main line block
• If you have fully disconnected pipes under sinks during attemptsto clear clogs

At Werrington Plumbing, our team has the advanced equipment and expertise to clear even severe clogs wedged deep in pipes. We can inspect drain lines with cameras to identify culprits and strategically clear blockages without damaging pipes. We’re available 24/7 to resolve any persistent kitchen or bathroom sink clogging issues.

Don’t let frustrating drain clogs put your daily routines on hold. Contact Werrington Plumbing to schedule an appointment and get reliable solutions for smooth flowing drains throughout your home.