A blocked sink disrupts your day, whether it is in the kitchen or the bathroom. Kitchen sinks usually block because grease, food and soap build up in the trap and waste pipe. Bathroom sinks are more often hit by hair, soap scum and toothpaste.
Our engineers use rods, micro-jetting and drain snakes to clear sink blockages. They can work anywhere from the trap under the basin to the underground connection. For hard water deposits and kitchen grease, they carry descaling tools and grease-cutting attachments.
During the visit, the plumber checks the full waste run, not just the visible trap. This matters because a second blockage further along could bring the problem back. The plumber also checks the outside gulley where the waste pipe discharges, since debris often collects there. For kitchens, our advice on preventing blocked kitchen drains helps stop repeat blockages.
The work on a sink depends on the type of blockage. Kitchen sinks with heavy grease may need jetting, while a simple trap clean is quicker. Request a quote online and describe the problem; the plumber will discuss the job with you. If a deeper problem such as a broken pipe appears, the plumber explains your options.
Repeat kitchen sink blockages are almost always caused by grease and fat inside the waste pipe. Even small amounts of cooking oil set as they cool, and they slowly narrow the pipe. A sink strainer helps, and so does wiping greasy pans with kitchen roll before washing.
Chemical drain cleaners can give short-term relief for a minor blockage, but they are not a long-term fix. Repeated use can corrode older metal pipes and damage rubber seals. For a stubborn or complete blockage, mechanical clearance is more effective and safer for your pipework.
Yes. If a sink waste pipe joins the same underground drain as other fixtures, a blockage in the shared section can slow several appliances. This is common in older terraced homes, where kitchen and bathroom waste share one pipe run.