You don’t know what disgusting is until you’re standing ankle deep in murky kitchen sink waters, wondering what’s clogged your drains this time around. You’d probably not be surprised when we tell you that clogged drains in the kitchen are some of the most common household problems homeowners face on a daily basis.
Now, before you start pointing fingers at your family members to place the blame, let’s just know that this unfortunate incident is totally preventable. Here’s how you can prevent clogged drains, and when you might need drain cleaning in NY.
What Causes Kitchen Drain Clogs?
Life. It’s sad, but it’s true.
More specifically, though, it’s all the little things we wash down the drain, thinking they’ll just disappear. Guess what? They don’t.
- Grease and cooking oils
- Coffee grounds
- Food scraps
- Soap scum
- Eggshells, fibrous peels, or bones
Even if you have a garbage disposal, that doesn’t mean you can throw just about anything down there. Disposals can only handle so much, and they don’t break things down nearly as finely as you’d like to think.
Daily Habits To Adopt
Let’s start with the easy wins. If you do nothing else, these simple daily habits can dramatically reduce your risk of a clogged kitchen sink:
- Scrape first, rinse second. Always scrape your plates into the trash before rinsing them in the sink. The less food going down the drain, the better.
- Wipe out grease with a paper towel. Don’t pour fats, oils, or grease down the drain. Instead, let them cool and solidify in a can or jar, then toss them in the trash. For greasy pans, give them a quick wipe with a paper towel before washing.
- Use a sink strainer. This $5 tool can save you hundreds in plumbing bills. A mesh strainer catches food scraps and debris before they go down the drain. Empty it into the trash daily.
Also Read: 5 Signs You Need To Invest in Sewer Cleaning
Weekly Habits To Adopt
Here are two simple things you can do once a week to keep things fresh:
- Warm water flush. Warm some water and pour it slowly down the drain to help melt away any grease or residue. Make sure to avoid pouring boiling water down there so you’re melting your plumbing pipes!
- Baking soda + vinegar. Once a month, pour half a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down your drain. Let it fizz and sit for 10-15 minutes, then flush with warm water.
Things To NEVER Put Down Your Kitchen Sink
Here’s a quick list to commit to memory (or put on a sticky note near your sink):
- Cooking grease, oil, or butter
- Coffee grounds
- Pasta, rice, or bread
- Bones, pits, or shells
- Celery, corn husks, or banana peels
- Flour or dough
These items either expand, clump, or get stringy, creating the kind of blockages that no plunger can fix.
Spotting Clogged Drain Signs Early On
An overflowing sink doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, you can spot it quite easily if you’re willing to slow down and observe these warning signs:
- Water draining slowly
- Gurgling sounds
- Unpleasant odors
- Water backing up
Keep Your Kitchen Sink Flowing!
A clogged kitchen drain is no fun. But with a few easy habits and a little know-how, you can keep your sink flowing. However, despite your best efforts, things just get out of hand, and you’re forced to bring a professional into the picture.
No problem!
At New York Rooter, we specialize in safe, effective drain cleaning. We clear blockages, clean your pipes, and help you understand how to prevent future issues. We don’t just fix the problem, we also show you how to keep it from coming back.
Give us a shout to schedule your drain cleaning in NY today!
