Troubleshooting clogs and leaks in a kitchen drain
An occasional drain clog in a kitchen sink is unavoidable, as we flush food and grease into these pipes on a daily basis. In most cases, a clog can be easily cleared, and the method of removal depends on the location of the clog. Leaks are a different story. For kitchen sinks, leaks usually occur at the drain, water lines or trap, but a burst pipe behind the wall can also cause pools of water. Most homeowners can repair the first three leaks themselves, but a damaged pipe should be repaired by a plumber.
Locate and clear clogs
Fill the sink to the point where the water covers the cup of a sink sprayer. If you have a sink with two basins, close off the other side.
Poke the open drain several times with the plunger. If the water still drains slowly, repeat the plunging process. If this does not clear the drain, the clog may be further down the drain.
Turn off the faucet under the sink and place a bucket under the drain.
Remove the trap plug, usually located at the bottom of the bend, and push a bottle brush into the opening to remove debris.
Remove the trap if there is no drain plug. Replace the siphon and turn on the water to see if the blockage is cleared.
Turn the water off again if the drain is not clear. Remove the trap again and loosen the coupling connecting the horizontal pipe to the pipe protruding from the wall.
Remove the horizontal pipe and run the cable end of a pipe auger through the wall pipe. If you feel resistance, pull the cable back about 45 cm and tighten the locking screw on the handle.
Turn the handle clockwise while pushing it forward to push the cable past the blockage. You may need to repeat the process to clear the blockage.
Remove the auger once you have cleared the clog and replace the pipe and trap. Turn on the water and fill the sink. Contact a professional if the drain is still clogged.
Finding and repairing leaks
Clear out the contents of the cabinet under the sink and soak up the moisture with old towels or rags.
Run water into the sink and examine the pipes and plumbing as it drains. If the leak is coming from the water line, it may be spraying out of the connections. If it is coming from the pipes, the water is dripping from the connections. And if the seal around the sink drain is leaking, it may take some time for the leak to become visible.
Tighten the water supply lines to repair leaks at this point by holding the valve with an adjustable wrench and tightening the union nuts with locking pliers.
Stop leaks at the trap by tightening the couplings. If the leak persists, the trap may be clogged. Cleaning the trap should correct the problem.
The Solution
The Emergency Plumber in Sunderland is your right contact partner. After your call, a professional plumber will come to your place to fix the plumbing issue. The plumbers are also licenced and have a lot of experience in the field. Besides that, we are 24 hours available. Call us now, 01917210591.