The Various Causes of Clogged Kitchens and How to Prevent Them in Wilmington

Clogged kitchen drains can be a real pain, so it’s important to know what causes them and how to prevent them. If left unchecked, these blockages can lead to significant plumbing and property damage, so it’s best to get the problem fixed as soon as possible.

• Food Grease & Oil

If you’re a cook, chances are you regularly use fats and oils to cook with or wash dishes. Unfortunately, these things can build up over time and form a solid mass that sticks to your pipes and creates a clog.

Never put liquid fats, oil or grease down your kitchen sink drain. When they cool, they solidify and congeal into a blockage that’s difficult to clear. Instead, pour these things down a separate container and dispose of them properly.

• Food Scraps & Other Debris

One of the biggest causes of kitchen drain clogs is food waste. It’s easy to forget about putting food scraps into the garbage disposal when you’re cleaning up, but they can cause a serious clog if not disposed of correctly.

It’s also a good idea to filter any large particles through a kitchen drain screen, as these can easily get clogged in your pipes. These screens are cheap, easy to use and can help keep your drains clean and free from debris.

• Dirty Toys & Other Stuff

If you have kids, it’s a good idea to limit what they can bring into the kitchen. Children often put toys and other items down the sink that could get clogged.

• Cooking Grease & Oil

The second biggest cause of kitchen drain clogs is cooking grease and other fats that are left over from meals. Whenever you cook meat, bacon or any other oil-based foods, be sure to put the leftover grease into a jar and then throw it in the trash or your community’s green bin program.

• Leftover Food & Other Debris

The final major cause of kitchen drain clogs is food that has been left in the sink over a period of time. These may include leftovers from the previous day, greasy foods or any other food that has become stuck to your sink.

• Boiling Water & Other Methods

The easiest way to clear a clogged kitchen in Wilmington is to pour hot water down the pipe and let it sit for a while. This will make the clog move down the pipe, but it’s important to not do this too often.

You can also try using a plumbing snake, or a similar tool. These tools are available at most hardware stores and can be used to remove any type of clog from your drains.

• Trash & Compost

The world wastes more than $400 billion in food each year, so it’s a good idea to take advantage of the composting process when you can. When it’s not available, consider storing the leftovers in an old metal can and then throwing them in the garbage or your community’s green bin program.

What to Do When Your Kitchen Sink Gets Clogged in Wilmington