Why kitchen drains block so often
Kitchen drains handle fat, food scraps and soap. Fat cools as it travels down the pipe and sticks to the walls. Over time it narrows the pipe until little water can pass.
Food scraps and coffee grounds add to the build-up. Because the mix is sticky, it grows fast. Small kitchen pipes block more easily than larger ones.
Signs of a developing kitchen drain blockage
Slow draining is the first sign. You may also hear gurgling or notice a bad smell. Water may sit in the sink for a long time.
If you notice these signs, act early. A blockage that is small now can grow, since grease keeps building. A quick clean is easier than a full clear.
What you can try first
Remove the strainer and clear any food. Try a sink plunger with a wet cloth over the overflow. Clean the trap under the sink with a bucket below.
Hot water and washing-up liquid can help with light grease, although boiling water can harm plastic pipes. Avoid harsh chemicals if you can. They may not work on thick grease.
When DIY isn’t enough
Call a professional if the sink blocks again soon after you clear it. The same applies if other fittings drain slowly, or if water backs up. These signs point to a blockage further along.
A drainage engineer can clear grease with a high-pressure water jet. Our drain jetting page explains the method. You can also ask for a free quote on our site.
Grease traps for problem kitchens
A grease trap catches fat before it enters the drain. It suits busy kitchens. However, it only works if someone empties it often.
Some homes with very greasy cooking may use a small trap. Ask a plumber whether it suits your layout. Never rely on a trap in place of good habits.
Prevention: the only long-term solution
Scrape plates and pans into the bin. Wipe greasy pans with paper before washing. Never pour fat down the sink, since it hardens in the pipe.
Use a strainer and clean it daily. Flush the pipe with hot water now and then. Regular habits stop most kitchen blockages.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read Outside Drain Blocked: What to Do and Who Is Responsible. You can also read How to Unblock a Toilet: Safe Methods and When to Stop and 10 Plumbing Myths That Cost UK Homeowners Serious Money, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: How to Unblock a Drain: A Simple Step-by-Step UK Guide, Sewer Smell in the House: Causes and How to Fix Each One, Drain Maintenance: How to Keep Your Drains Clear All Year, Shower Not Draining: What You Need to Know to Fix It and Drain Jetting vs Rodding: Which Method Is Right for You?. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our blocked drain guide first, or see Blocked Drains in Derby and Blocked Drains in Stoke-on-Trent. You can also see Blocked Toilets in Blackpool, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
