Why Is My Kitchen Sink Backing Up
“Good lord, again! Why is my kitchen sink backing up?” That gray, smelly, standing water isn’t going anywhere. You’ve tried everything in the book as far as household drain remedies with no luck.
It’s time for your reliable plumber in Keller, TX, to take over. Triple A AC, Heating, & Plumbing lists five reasons why your kitchen sink has become a nasty cesspool of wastewater.
Why Is My Kitchen Sink Backing Up?
What causes a clogged kitchen sink? You might feel surprised at how sensitive these appliances can be. Their drainage systems should only funnel wastewater with minimal particles to the sewer lines. Sometimes, other filth and debris get in the way, as you’ll see below.
#1 The Garbage Disposal Isn’t Working
“Why is my kitchen sink backing up for the umpteenth time this week?” Your garbage disposal might be the problem if you have one connected to your appliance. This tough little mechanism pulverizes food debris that makes it into the drainage system.
But some waste, like eggshells or fibrous raw vegetables, damages or tangles the blades. The disposal can’t effectively grind other materials as a result. The food collects around and below the appliance, and standing water fills the sink basin.
#2 You’ve Let Too Much Food and Grease Escape Down the Drain
You should limit the amount of oil, grease, and food particles that you rinse down the drain, regardless of whether you have a garbage disposal. Grease buildup creates the perfect plug inside the drainline. Water can’t move freely toward the sewer system.
“Why is my kitchen sink backing up? Could it be the food particles?” Yes, it could. Some of the biggest problems as far as food material goes include:
- Coffee grounds
- Butter
- Bacon grease and cooking oil
- Pasta, rice, and other gelatinous materials that swell
- Fat from meat
These materials absolutely wreck your drainage system. Scrape your leftovers into the garbage. Place a drain catcher over the opening to further filter the food debris. Try to flush your drain with boiling water every month.
#3 A Tree Decided Your Pipes Make a Good Water Supply in Keller, Texas
The trees growing in your yard might look pretty. But their root systems threaten your sewage and plumbing connections beneath the ground. One such invasive tree that grows in Keller, Texas, is the Tree of Heaven. Its fern-like fronds might give your property a tropical or jungle-like appearance.
But its roots rapidly grow in search of new sources of water and nutrients. Your underground plumbing lines supply both. You’ll need a local tree removal service to kill the tree. Then, call a plumbing service for sewer line repairs in Keller, Texas.
#4 Mineral Buildup Is To Blame
Texas has some of the hardest water in the country, with some samples averaging over 200 ppm. That means that you could do everything right but still end up with a sink drain blockage made of mineral scale. The risk increases if you use well water.
“Why is my kitchen sink backing up from minerals?” The minerals stick to the drain pipe’s interior, especially with temperature fluctuations. You could install a whole-home water softener to decrease the mineral content and protect your plumbing system.
Water softeners come with other benefits, including:
- Cleaner, vibrant clothes that last longer
- Higher efficiency in plumbing appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters
- Crystal-clear glassware and dinnerware
- Improved complexion and hair health
Many people don’t realize how impactful hard water is on their hygiene and housekeeping habits. Service providers like Triple A AC, Heating, & Plumbing offer water quality improvements to benefit your entire household in Keller, Texas.
#5 Paper Products Block the Drain
One final reason for that slow-draining sink in your kitchen is paper products rinsing through alongside water or food materials. The toilet is the sole plumbing fixture designed to handle paper, and it can only handle toilet paper. Don’t let items like produce stickers, paper towels, hand wipes, or coffee filters enter your drain.
While many paper materials are biodegradable, they can’t pass the narrow sink drain. You’ll need a plumber to push those blockages through to the sewer system.
I’ll Get Triple A AC, Heating, & Plumbing’s Drain Cleaning Experts on the Job in Keller, Texas
“Why is my kitchen sink backing up? I’ll just call Triple A AC, Heating, & Plumbing to figure it out.”
Leave it to our plumbers in Keller, Texas. Our team loves helping customers with understanding home plumbing issues and solving big and small problems. Contact us today.
