We all know that water drainage systems are designed using gravity to ensure that dirty water is taken away from the sink, allowing users to thoroughly clean whatever it is that is in the sink. So, when water starts to come up through the plug-hole, back into the kitchen sink, it can be a worry.

When water that is supposed to be draining away starts to come up into the kitchen sink, this is a sign that there is some sort of problem with the drainage system – most likely a blockage at some point.

lady with plunger for kitchen sinkKitchen Sink Blockages

Blockages in the drainage from kitchen sinks are a relatively common occurrence, due to the fact that there is often a lot of debris being released into the water. If the user doesn`t make sure that the debris doesn`t get sucked down the plug hole it can stick in the plumbing and cause blockages. More than any other sink in the home, the kitchen sink is susceptible to these blockages due to the amount of debris which is dislodged whilst washing plates or cleaning vegetables, for example.

Other Causes of a Flooding Sink

Other causes of water coming up in the kitchen sink could be signs of blockages in other parts of the plumbing system. For example, it could be water coming from the washing machine, dishwasher or toilet. If you have a complicated plumbing system, with a number of fixtures using the same pipe – as is often the case in the kitchen, it might be that the blockage is coming from a different pipe, but backing up into your sink.

How to Find the Blockage

The most important thing to do when you have water coming up into your kitchen sink is to find the clogged area and unclog it.

One way to do this is to check out your other fixtures, as the water is likely to be backing up in these as well as in your sink. If your sink is backing up only when the washing machine is draining, for example, the likelihood is that the blockage is in the washing machine pipe.

A clogged plumbing vent pipe may also be the culprit.  Without proper air pressure, your sinks, shower and tub water might drain slowly.  This may cause water to come out of your kitchen sink as the water may not have anywhere to go but up.

If you can catch a blockage early, the best way to deal with it is to use a plunger. This is easy with a toilet – but remember to close the overflow pipe and plug beforehand. If you think that the clog is in a pipe to a fixture such as a washing machine, but is connected to the sink it is worth filling the sink with water and then plunging to try to force the blockage free.

It is worth remembering that while blockages and clogged sinks can be a pain, if they are dealt with quickly, they can usually be easily resolved and have no long-lasting effects on your home. If you have a blockage that you can’t find easily or are having trouble unblocking, it is worth calling a plumber so that you can resolve it without any other problems.

We also recommend occasionally cleaning your pipes with vinegar and baking soda followed up with lots of hot water to help remove any buildup of soap scum and debris.

For more information about water coming up through the sink, plumbing blockages or a sink flood, get in touch with our Hamilton Plumbers.  Wentworth Plumbing serves the Hamilton, Oakville, Burlington and Brantford areas for commercial, industrial and residential plumbing.