A Clogged Sink And Backed Up Dishwasher? Not For Long!

It starts with a few inches of water lingering in the basin after you empty the dishwasher. Then you notice the kitchen sink is draining slower than usual. Uh oh. A blocked drain is brewing.

Clogged drains and standing water in the kitchen lead to messy, frustrating cleanups and lost time. A backed up sink and dishwasher is a common household plumbing issue, but also fairly easy to remedy with some persistence and elbow grease.

Symptoms of a Clogged Kitchen Sink and Dishwasher

How can you tell if your kitchen sink or dishwasher drainage is starting to get obstructed? Here are some telltale signs of a clog forming:

Standing Water and Slow Draining

When debris obstructs the pipes and traps underneath your sink and dishwasher, water is prevented from properly swirling down the drain. You'll notice water collecting in the basin or tub longer than usual after use.

The blockage may start minor, with just a little puddling in the sink bottom. But as food particles, grease, and other gunk continues to build up, drainage will slow to a crawl.

Gurgling Noises

Before a drain gets fully blocked it often emits gurgling sounds as water struggles to squeeze through the partially clogged passageway. Listen for bubbling or a sort of wet burbling noise coming from the drain as water goes down.

Garbage disposals can begin making loud grinding noises if something gets lodged in the blades. Drain gurgles indicate it's time to take action before you have a complete clog on your hands.

Sewer Odors

In severe cases where a drain is fully plugged, water can back up and overflow the P-trap beneath the sink. This U-shaped pipe holds water to prevent sewer gases from entering the home.

But when it overflows from an obstruction, those unpleasant rotten egg and methane fumes can make their way upstairs. Time to roll up your sleeves and get that drain unclogged.

Causes of Clogged Kitchen Drains

Now that you know the common red flags of a clogged drain, what causes them to get blocked in the first place? Here are some usual suspects:

Grease Buildup

Grease, fats, and cooking oils poured down the sink create nasty clogs over time. As they cool, oils and fats solidify and coat the insides of pipes.

Hot water and dish soap can temporarily break up and wash away grease. But enough accumulates to fully obstruct drains. Pour cooled grease into a container to dispose rather than risking clogs.

Food Scraps/Debris

Particles small enough to fit down the drain eventually pile up. Coffee grounds, egg shells, rice, and vegetable peels seem harmless. But allowed to collect they form stubborn obstructions.

Using the garbage disposal minimizes leftover food down the pipes. But even the disposal can jam if overloaded with too much waste at once.

Improper Garbage Disposal Use

Speaking of garbage disposals - they're common culprits of kitchen clogs. Jamming too much food waste into the disposal at one time can seize up the motor or clog the chamber.

Other disposal pitfalls include insufficient water flow while grinding, putting the wrong items down the shoot, or failure to maintain the unit. Learn proper disposal best practices to avoid clogs.

Damaged Pipes/P-Trap

Corroded, cracked, or misaligned pipes and traps beneath the sink can develop obstructions. The P-trap's curved chamber is designed to let water and waste through while blocking sewer gases.

But damage or improper installation can create conditions for debris to snag and collect. A licensed plumber may be needed to inspect and replace any faulty plumbing.

Clearing a Clogged Kitchen Sink Drain

Now let's discuss DIY methods to try and remove that pesky clog from your kitchen sink:

Step 1: Try a Plunger

Before reaching for chemical drain cleaners, see if some simple plunging can dislodge the blockage. Fill the clogged sink halfway with water. Form a tight seal over the drain hole with a rounded sink plunger.

Rapidly pump up and down about 10-15 times to apply pressure. Repeat if needed to break through the clog. The suction can help loosen obstructing debris.

Step 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar

For light grease or soap scum obstructions, a baking soda and vinegar home remedy can work wonders. Start by pouring 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with 1 cup heated white vinegar.

The mix will fizz and bubble, helping break up gunk. Let sit 10-15 minutes then rinse with hot water. The mild acid in vinegar dissolves soap buildup, while baking soda scrubs away grease.

Step 3: Drain Snake

A flexible drain snake (also called an auger) threads down into pipes to hook and dislodge stubborn clogs a plunger can't reach. Rotate the snake's crank to advance farther down bends.

Slowly retrieve the snake - the hooked end will catch and pull out hair, grease chunks and other debris loosened from pipe walls. Keep repeating until the drain runs clear. Be patient and careful not to scratch pipes.

Step 4: Call a Plumber

If DIY attempts fail to improve drainage, or you have a recurring clog issue, it’s best to call a professional plumber. They have high-powered augers that reach deep blockages beyond a basic snake's range.

A plumber can also snake the main sewer branch to remove bottlenecks further down the line. Chemical drain cleaners are a last resort and can damage pipes.

Getting an Obstructed Dishwasher to Drain

A dishwasher failing to drain is immensely frustrating. Luckily, there are a few easy things to check before calling the appliance repairman:

Checking the Pump and Filters

Food particles often collect in the dishwasher pump and clog the surrounding filter screen. Unscrew the filter and remove any debris trapped over the drain. Inspect the pump impeller to ensure it spins freely.

Clean filters prevent drain obstructions. Also periodically check the discharge hose attached to the pump for kinks or clogs.

Ensuring a Clear Drain Hose

To allow proper drainage, the dishwasher drain hose should have a consistent downward slope and no sharp bends or dips. Check that debris hasn't clogged the hose connections.

Remove accumulated gunk, straighten any kinks, and ensure a gap exists between hose sections so water can drain into the sink basin or garbage disposal.

Using a Dishwasher Cleaner

For soap scum or mineral buildup inside the dishwasher pipes, try running an empty wash cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar or citric acid cleaner. These dissolving agents removeresidue interfering with drainage.

Cleaners containing lye or caustic soda are effective too. But take care when handling corrosive drain products.

Calling a Professional

If checking hoses and filters hasn't improved dishwasher drainage, contact an appliance repair technician. A faulty drain pump not ejecting water properly needs professional diagnosis and replacement.

Serious drain clogs also require expertise. Let the pros determine if the dishwasher itself or connecting plumbing needs servicing.

Preventing Future Clogged Drains

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of clog-clearing hassle. Keep drains flowing freely with these proactive measures:

Garbage Disposal Best Practices

Grind food waste in small batches with lots of cold water running. Avoid putting egg shells, coffee grounds, and starchy waste down the disposal. Frequently clean trap and grind components.

Only run the disposal when actively grinding food. Turn off once waste has cleared to avoid jamming the chamber. Maintain the disposal motor when noises or performance declines.

Avoid Pouring Fats/Grease Down Drains

Never pour cooking oils, grease, or bacon fat residue down the sink. Once cooled, empty grease into a container with absorbent material and dispose with regular trash.

Use paper towels to wipe greasy pans and utensils before washing. Run hot water while washing greasy dishes to emulsify oils before they clog pipes.

Use Drain Screens and Strainers

Sink drain screens catch stray food particles like coffee grounds and corn kernels that might otherwise slip down the drain. Empty the strainer into the trash when washing dishes.

Inline sink strainers installed after the P-trap filter debris coming from the dishwasher before it clogs your pipes.

Regularly Flush Drains

Help prevent accumulation of debris and grease by sending a weekly flush of hot water down sinks and drains. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with boiling water.

This will break up minor buildup before it turns into a massive clog. Dislodge soap scum with hot vinegar. Consider quarterly professional drain cleaning.

As unpleasant as a clogged sink and blocked dishwasher is, rest assured it can be cleared relatively easily without calling a plumber. Try some DIY unclogging methods using basic household items.

Get ahead of debris buildup with preventive drain maintenance. But when you notice gurgling sounds or standing water, take action to dissolve obstructions and keep your kitchen plumbing flowing freely!