Sugar Land
PLUMBING REPAIRS

Most people don't realize that sinks are actually quite prone to clogging. Even sinks with garbage disposals installed are susceptible to clogs, though not as much as ordinary kitchen and bathroom sinks. Here are some of the top reasons that sinks get clogged.

Food Particles

Food particles and debris are the main reason for clogs in kitchen sinks. Even with disposals, these types of clogs are quite common because people don't realize that not everything can go down the sink drain. Unfortunately, it's extremely easy to wash or dump unwanted food particles down the drain without giving it a second thought. Even if you're meticulous about protecting your kitchen drain, food can accidentally find its way into it.

When it comes to garbage disposals, there are certain items that they aren't capable of disposing of. Peach and cherry pits, orange peels, egg shells, coffee grinds, large pieces of hard food, and many other foods are off limits to garbage disposals.

Grease Deposits

A very common mistake that people make is thinking that they can dispose of their grease and fat down their drains. Unfortunately, while grease and fat appear to be liquids at first, they tend to harden over time. The result is often that they end up clogging your sink or jam up your garbage disposal.

Hair Balls

Hair balls are the number one cause of clogs in bathroom sinks and tub sinks. No matter how careful or meticulous you are, hair going down the sink is often inevitable. Hair tends to accumulate over time and turn into a ball that's big enough to clog your sink. Because these clogs form slowly over time, you'll first notice your water draining a bit slower than usual. As the clog worsens, draining will get slower until finally it doesn't drain at all.

How to Unclog a Sink

There are several ways that you can try to unclog your sink. Depending on where the clog is and what's causing it, you may have to try a few different methods.

Plunge the Sink

In cases of small objects such as toys and foods clogging a kitchen or bathroom sink, it's possible to remove the clog with a plunger. The concept is the same as plunging a toilet. The plunger will suction the blocking item to the top of the sink allowing you to easy remove it.

Use Boiling Water

Many times, boiling water is the easiest way to unclog a sink depending on what's causing the jam. Keep in mind that this won't work if there's standing water in the sink so you'll have to remove that first. However, the concept is quite simple. Bring about half a gallon of water to a boil and pour it directly into the sink that's clogged. Depending on what the issue is, boiling water will clear it right up.

Try a Baking Soda Mixture

Baking soda is one of the most underrated and useful ingredients in your kitchen. It can be used for a ton of different things including unclogging your kitchen or bathroom sink. All you need to do is pour one cup of baking soda into your drain followed by one cup of vinegar. Clog the sink so air can't get in or out and wait for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, open the sink and run hot water down the drain.

Snake the Drain

Using a snake on your drain is often a last resort because it's slightly more difficult and invasive than other measures. However, snakes are extremely effective at removing hair balls, clumps of food, and small objects that are blocking your drain.

If none of the above methods work to unclog your drain, you would do well to pursue professional assistance. Contact us at 1-800-Plumber + Air if your sink is clogged and you've run out of ideas.

How to Keep Your Plumbing System Intact

In order to keep clogs from happening, it's important that you take preventative measures. Given enough time and use, clogs are inevitable unless you maintain and protect hem regularly.

Use a Strainer

Strainers are a great way to keep food and other particles from accidentally falling down your sink.

Avoid Putting Certain Things Down Your Sink

Strainers are effective at keeping solids from getting down your sink, but they won't stop grease and other liquids that turn to solids over time. By simply taking extra time to keep unwanted things out of your sink, you can avoid a costly clog.

Use Natural Cleaners

Natural cleaners are less harsh and contain fewer clogging chemicals than alternative cleaners. You should also make sure to always rinse your sink with steaming hot water any time you use it.

Seek Professional Assistance

The number one way to keep your sink from clogging is to contact us at 1-800-Plumber + Air and schedule a service visit. We will inspect your plumbing system and sink drains and make sure that they're not on the verge of clogging. We have years of maintenance and plumbing experience and will make sure that your drains are in tip-top shape.

Who to Call for a Clogged Sink

If it's too late and a clog is already upon you, you should still contact 1-800-Plumber + Air. We offer 24/7 emergency service and have the tools and experience necessary to fix any drain clog. We will even offer complementary tips and tricks for you so that you never have to endure a clogged drain again. Call us today if your sink is clogged or if you've noticed that water is draining slower than usual.

Is Your Licensing Up to Date?

Many people assume as a courtesy that a plumber is licensed, but this isn't always the case. Some people offer their services despite lacking proper licensing or failing to update their license with a local agency. The risk you take in working with an unlicensed plumber is that their work may not be up to code. Since you chose to work with them, you may be liable for any deficiencies in their work. Not to mention the risks involved in trusting your home to someone without the proper qualifications! So always ask a plumber for proof that their licensing is up-to-date, and if they refuse, look elsewhere.

Are You Doing the Work?

This question ties into the first one; sometimes, a master plumber will rely on a team of laborers. While it's fine for a licensed plumber to have assistance from laborers, work on water and electrical systems must be only performed by experts. A plumber having up-to-date licensing won't do you any good if he's delegating these important tasks to people who aren't! Ask the plumber who provides your price estimate and displays his credentials if he's doing the work, and if he isn't, inquire about the experience and licensing of the plumber who is. If the plumber cannot provide accurate, detailed answers to these questions, then look for a different plumber.

What Will This Cost?

While many plumbers will provide a free estimate before performing a job, this is not binding. Contracts often include clauses that the property owner will pay for any expenses necessary to complete the job. This could mean that when the plumber needs to buy extra materials or spend more time than expected to complete the job, you'll be left footing the bill. This doesn't necessarily mean the services aren't worth it, but you should always make sure you have a good idea of what the job will cost. Ask if the charge is a flat rate, or a flat rate plus an hourly fee and what the estimate includes. Additionally, you should make sure you can get a list of materials used. This way, you can double-check with a local department store and ask if everything adds up. You should also request an estimate from three or more plumbers and see if they all match up or if one is suspiciously higher or lower than the others.

What Guarantees Do You Offer?

An important sign that a plumber believes in their work is whether or not they offer guarantees. The most confident plumbers will provide a written guarantee that they'll return and fix anything they've worked on in the next year or so. Others offer more specific, limited guarantees. This shouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker, so long as you find their terms fair. However, you should not rely on any plumber who refuses to give any written guarantees of this sort.