Signs the clog is past the trap
A clog right under the sink is simple. These signs point further into the wall or floor. Until we get there, stop running the disposal and the dishwasher. If it is the sink, the strainer or the disposal that has failed, see sink repair and installation.
- Both sides of a double sink hold water
- Dishwasher water comes up in the sink
- Water comes back up after it drains
- Gurgling when the washer or dishwasher drains
- The disposal hums but water won't move
- The same sink clogs every few months
How we clear a clogged kitchen sink
Kitchen clogs are usually grease and food, and where they sit decides the fix. Worth reading first: where kitchen grease actually goes.
Check the disposal and trap
We make sure the disposal turns freely and the trap under the sink is clear before going into the wall.
Cable the branch line
A cable clears the line from the sink to the main drain. That handles most one-off kitchen clogs.
Jet a line that keeps closing
Grease coats the inside of the pipe and a cable only punches a hole through it. Jetting scours the pipe back to full size.
Run the sink before we leave
We run the sink, the disposal and the dishwasher together to make sure the line carries a full load.
Why kitchen sinks clog in Shore homes
Most kitchen clogs start with what goes down the sink.
Cooking grease
Grease is liquid when it goes down the drain and solid once the pipe cools it. Each layer catches more food.
Seafood season
Crab shells, shrimp shells, and corn husks don't grind down in a disposal. They settle in the trap and the line behind it.
Grease on septic
In homes on septic, grease that gets past the pipe floats in the tank. Keeping it out of the sink protects both.
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Questions We Get Asked About Clogged Kitchen Sinks
What people ask before they book a kitchen sink visit.
How much does it cost to unclog a kitchen sink?
Clearing a kitchen sink line with a cable typically runs $175 to $450. A grease-lined pipe that keeps closing may need jetting, which is usually $450 to $900. You get the price before any work starts, and our drain cleaning cost guide has the full breakdown.
How soon can you come out?
Often the same day, and usually within the week. We work 8:00am to 9:00pm, seven days a week, so evening and weekend visits count too. Book online or call (757) 824-9862 for a time.
What happens when you get there?
We check the disposal and the trap, then clear the line to the main drain with a cable. If the pipe is heavy with grease we recommend jetting, and we run the sink, disposal and dishwasher together before we leave.
Should I try to unclog my kitchen sink myself?
We don't recommend it. Chemical cleaners sit on top of a grease clog, damage older pipe and make the sink hazardous to work on. Taking the trap apart often ends in a leak under the cabinet.
Can you inspect the kitchen drain line before clearing it?
Yes. If the sink keeps clogging, a camera inspection shows whether it is grease, a sag in the line or something else. It typically runs $250 to $500 and is often credited if we go on to do the repair it finds.
Other clogs we clear
- Clogged toilet: Won't flush, rising water, backups
- Clogged kitchen sink: Grease, food waste, and disposals
- Clogged bathroom sink: Hair, soap, and slow drains
- Clogged bathtub drain: Standing water and slow tubs
- Clogged shower drain: Hair, sand, and pooling water
- Dishwasher not draining: Water left in the tub or sink
- Washing machine drain: Standpipe overflows and backups
- Clogged floor drain: Garages, laundry rooms, and kitchens
- Every drain backing up: Main line clog or septic
Explore related services
- Common clogs we clear on the Eastern Shore
- Sink repair, replacement, and installation on the Shore
- Where Kitchen Grease Actually Goes on a Septic System
- What the Shore says about us
- One membership. Every plumbing system in your house, looked after
- Plumbers who actually live on the Eastern Shore
- How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost on Virginia’s Eastern Shore
- Clogged toilet repair on the Eastern Shore
- Clogged bathroom sink repair
- Clogged bathtub drain repair
- Clogged shower drain repair
- Dishwasher not draining? Clogged dishwasher drain repair
- Washing machine drain backing up
- Clogged floor drain cleaning
- Every drain backing up? Main line clog or septic
Ready for a steady hand?
Book with our team, or call us seven days a week from 8am to 9pm.
Call (757) 824-9862