Double Kitchen Sink Backing Up? Here’s What You Need To Know
If there is one thing that can send you into a plumbing panic, it is your double kitchen sink backing up. However, what may appear to be a plumbing nightmare may not be as bad as you think. When you are wondering why you have a double sink backing up and what can be done to get it working correctly, our team here at Boss Plumbing has all the answers to your questions.
Why is My Double Kitchen Sink Backing Up?
Your Garbage Disposal is Going Out
When you begin to notice your double sink backing up and find yourself wondering why it is not draining, we can tell you the problem can sometimes be a clog or another issue that may indicate you need a new garbage disposal, such as if it is very old, the motor is starting to give out, or you’ve noticed it is very slow when doing its job.
The Sink Drains are Clogged
If it’s not your garbage disposal, you may need to call us for clogged drain repair because you’ve probably got a blockage in your double sink’s main water drainage line.
The Dishwasher is too powerful
If you’ve recently installed a new dishwasher that is more powerful than your previous model, it’s possible that as your dishwasher drains, water may be reentering the kitchen sink. Remember, your dishwasher and kitchen sink share the same pipe. If too much water exits your dishwasher, the excess water may back up in your sink.
Clogged vent pipe
A clogged vent pipe can also cause this problem, since this means water won’t be able to properly flow through your pipes. To find out if this is the cause, you’ll need to climb up on your roof to inspect the pipes, or call us and let us do the dirty work for you instead.
Since there can be a variety of reasons as to why you have a double sink backing up, it’s best to contact us here at Boss Plumbing to schedule a service call right away.
How Do You Unclog A Double Kitchen Sink?
If you decide to make an attempt at unclogging your double sink, we highly recommend you not use chemical drain cleaners during your DIY efforts. Not only can these damage pipes, but they can also splash up into your face, which can lead to a medical emergency. Instead, we suggest you try the following steps that may alleviate your problem.
Have the Right Tools
Before you begin this job, make sure you have the proper plumbing tools at the ready. These should include a plumber’s wrench, plumbing snake, drain auger, plunger, flashlight, and some rubber gloves. It also never hurts if you have some slip-joint pliers and screwdrivers nearby, just in case you need to tighten or loosen some screws or other things along the way.
Try Your Plunger
Place your plunger over the clogged sink hole. But before you start plunging, remove any excess water from the sink and remember to close the other drain’s hole. If you don’t, you’re going to make quite a mess. Plunge about 10 times, then repeat the process with the opposite drain. If all goes well, you should be able to run some hot water in both drains for a few minutes, then watch the water drain away.
Grab the Snake
If the plunger didn’t work, we suspect you’ve got a clog deeper into the main water drainage line. To use the snake, carefully insert its head into the drain, then pull it back and forth when you think you’ve reached the clog. When you feel as if the snake’s head has grabbed the clog, slowly pull it out of the drain.
Use a Drain Auger
Should the problem be with your garbage disposal or the clog is too big for a plumbing snake to remove, use your drain auger. Like you did with the snake, insert the auger’s end into the drain, then turn its handle clockwise while you’re pushing it through the drain. However, don’t be like many people and use excessive force when pushing the auger. If you do, we can guarantee you’ll damage the auger, your drain, the pipes, or maybe all of these simultaneously.
What Not to Do
Now that we’ve given you some helpful hints as to what you should do when trying to fix a clogged double kitchen sink, it’s also a good idea for us to tell you a few things you should never do, such as:
Don’t Leave the Garbage Disposal Plugged In
Needless to say, electricity and water don’t go well together. Before you try anything, always unplug your garbage disposal.
Don’t Use Chemical Drain Cleaners
As we touched on previously, most chemical drain cleaners don’t work as well as people think. Along with wasting your money, you may also be causing severe damage to your pipes, not to mention risk having it splash up in your face if your sink has standing water. Rather than do this, rely on us for professional drain cleaning services.
Don’t Push Too Hard
Although we know having a clogged double kitchen sink can be frustrating, resist the temptation to push the snake or auger too hard when it’s down the drain. If you don’t, you can damage your pipes and maybe even your garbage disposal. Should this occur, you’ll be calling on us for kitchen plumbing repairs.
How to Prevent Clogs in Your Double Kitchen Sink
If you want to prevent clogs in your double kitchen sink, we suggest you not pour grease down your drain, since this can quickly create a clog. Also, when using your garbage disposal, don’t try to grind up banana peels, potato skins, and coffee grounds. Finally, run cold water when using your disposal, and run hot water down your drains at least once per week for several minutes.
Call Us Today
If you need professional help when your double sink is backing up, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Boss Plumbing for prompt service, fair prices, and a job done correctly the first time.
