Is Water Pooling in Your Sink? 4 Reasons Your Drains Are Clogged

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There is nothing more frustrating than a slow draining sink, except for perhaps a dripping faucet. Sink drains are designed to allow liquids to run down the pipes and away from your house, but things can sometimes go awry. A drain clog is more than just an annoyance. Water pooling can turn into an overflow issue, and it also can be a sign that something else is majorly wrong. Start figuring out the solution to your problem by exploring these four common causes of clogged drains.

1. Check for Obvious Surface Debris

Hair, food particles, and tiny pieces of soap can sometimes get caught in the top portion of the drain. You can use a flashlight to see if there is anything obvious clogging up the drain. If so, then you might be able to remove it with your fingers or tweezers. Keep in mind that you don’t want to go too far. Instead, use a pulling motion and only try to get out what is right at the surface.

2. Look for a Clog Further Down the Drain Line

A slow-running drain might be caused by an issue that you can’t see from the surface. Clogged sewer lines are a common issue that tends to happen frequently in older homes. Tree roots can sometimes grow into the line, or you might just have buildup from people throwing non-biodegradable products such as flushable wipes down the drain. Drain cleaning using hydro jets can flush out debris that is too far down the line for you to reach. Be sure to look for a reliable professional that can clean your drains while minimizing damages in the process. When your drains are cleaned with quality equipment, they are sure to last longer.

3. Watch out for Oil and Grease Buildup

You might know not to pour grease into the sink, but it is common for oily substances to get down the drain even when you are careful. Certain types of moisturizers and makeup contain fats that don’t always dissolve, or you might inadvertently cause grease to go down the sink while you are rinsing off cooked meat or a plate. Plumbers use special cleansers to break up gunk that stops the water from flowing freely.

4. Prevent Food Clogs

Garbage disposals are wonderful, but they can’t cut up everything. Potato peels and other fibrous pieces of food may not break up, and having big chunks in the disposal can clog the drain. You might also have food that falls into the wrong side of the sink and gets stuck in the curved portion of the pipe. Depending upon the cause, the clog might be flushed out or removed manually by taking apart the pipes.

Fixing clogged drains may be as simple as pulling out a leaf or some hair at the opening, but it can also turn into a major DIY hazard. Trying to use a plumbing snake without experience can cause you to push the clog further down the line, and pouring caustic chemicals down the drain could harm the pipes. When in doubt, have a professional plumber check things out. You’ll potentially save yourself from paying for more serious repairs and get faster results.

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Brooke Chaplan

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening.

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