What to Do if Your Sink Is Backing Up

Running water in our homes is something that many of us take for granted. All day long, we can turn the water on and off without any hassles. It’s only when the sink backs up that we realize how important plumbing is to our daily lives. When your sink fills with gross sludge, it’s easy to become grossed-out, stressed, and confused about what to do. However, you’re not alone. Brothers Plumbing is always there to help. Here are some things you can do if your sink is backing up.

Dishwasher Obstruction

Your dishwasher uses the same drain as your sink. If your dishwasher has an obstruction, it can cause problems with the water flow and lead to a backed-up sink. It’s a good idea to double check the drain hose on your dishwasher for any blockage or kinks that could be causing the problem.

Garbage Disposal Clog

While they are nice to have in a home, a clog in your garbage disposal can cause some problems for your sink’s drain. If something is wrong with your disposal drain plug, this could be causing the water to back up in your sink. Therefore, it’s essential to remove the drain plug when the garbage disposal is installed. This will prevent any backup troubles that lead to water and sediment collecting in your sink.

Clogged Sink

Having a clogged sink is one of the most common reasons why you’ll see a backup. If you suspect it is a clogged sink, you can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to try and clear it, or call a professional plumber who has the tools and expertise to fix it.

Pipe Blockage

Sometimes, blockages happen further down the line. It could be a tree root or other debris that has been flushed down the drain, but is now stuck and blocking water flow. The only way to handle these situations is by calling a professional. They have the experience to know how to clear the pipe and get your water flowing again.

Tips for Unblocking Your Drain

If you suspect the backup in your sink is caused by something simple, you can try a few things to unclog your drain. However, if you are not finding success with these methods, it’s best that you call a professional for help.

Plunge It

Clogged sinks are similar to clogged toilets in that they indicate a blockage in the line. So, one way to try and tackle the issue is to use a plunger to clear it. However, it’s essential to note that kitchen plungers are designed a little differently than those for the bathroom. So, be sure you buy the right type of plunger for the job.

You can put the head of the plunger over the sink drain and use it the same way you would if you were trying to unclog your toilet. Pump for about 30 seconds. Then, look to see if the water is starting to drain. You may need to repeat this process several times. If it does not clear the blockage, then you can be sure the problem is deeper in the line.

Boiling Water

Boiling water and pouring it down the drain may help, depending on what is causing the clog. If it is soap, oil, or other similar debris, some hot water should help soften it enough to loosen the clog. Like with the plunger, you’ll want to try this method several times to see if it works. However, only use this method if you don’t have PVC pipes. Boiling water could melt PVC pipes and cause serious damage.

Investigate Your Garbage Disposal

If you have a garbage disposal, it may be the cause of the backup. You should try running the disposal to see if it clears the blockage. You may need to hit the reset button if the machine does not start. This could be because it is overheated or dysfunctioning. Once you have it working, run it for a minute or so to see if it clears the problem. Remember that a humming sound indicates your disposal system is jammed or broken.

If you suspect the garbage disposal is the problem, you’ll want to turn it off before you try and fix it. Don’t stick your fingers into the disposal. Rather, use a tool like a wrench to try and dislodge the debris from the disposal blades. Once you feel the blockage becoming loose, you can turn the machine on again to see if it fixes the problem.

Use a Mixture

A good way to try and clear up a clogged drain is to mix baking soda and vinegar together to flush the drain. However, you’ll need to remove the water that is backed up into your sink before you do this. Start by pouring a cup of baking soda directly into the drain. Then, pour a cup of vinegar in and quickly cover it with the drain plug. The mixture will bubble up and you’ll want to ensure it goes into your pipes, not back up in your sink. Wait for about 20 minutes and then remove the plug and flush the drain with hot water.

Dealing with a backed up drain is never fun, but there are some steps you can take to fix the problem on your own. However, if they don’t work, it’s best to call in a professional plumber. Once your drain has been cleared, it’s a good idea to regularly flush it with the baking soda and vinegar mix to prevent further clogs.

As one of the top plumbers in Scarborough, we can fix your backed up sink or other plumbing problems in no-time! For more information about clearing a backed-up drain, call Brothers Plumbing at 1-800-742-8471 or contact us here.