Any Kingwood homeowners pondering the question of “Why is my kitchen sink backing up on the other side,” should know they are not alone. It is not uncommon to stand at the kitchen sink washing dishes and cleaning up after a meal and notice water slowly climbing its way up one or both sides of the sink when it should be going down instead. When a situation like this occurs, it is necessary to stop the back flow and find a way to reverse it. The best way to do this can be to enlist the help of a reputable and experienced Kingwood plumber to fix the problem now and ensure that it does not happen again anytime soon.
Why Is My Kitchen Sink Backing Up on the Other Side?
In many homes, one side of the kitchen sink is typically used more often than the other, which is why water backing up in both sides can be a bit puzzling.
Much of the time the reason both sides back up is because they share the same drainpipe. Therefore, if there is a blockage or clog in the drainpipe and the water cannot exit that route, the pressure may push it upwards into both sides of the sink simultaneously.
In other words, the problem may likely be located in the drainpipe and will need to be looked at as soon as possible to keep the water from sitting in food bacteria and creating an unpleasant odor. Another important note is that until the issue is fixed, the kitchen sink may be largely unusable.
What to Do When Your Kitchen Sink Backs Up on Both Sides
Some people will rely on common brand name drain clearing solutions from their local grocery or hardware store to fix a slow or clogged kitchen sink. However, this is not an effective solution for the following reasons:
- It can depend on the power and chemical makeup of the clog dissolvent found in the substance
- The clog that is already present in the drainpipe is strong enough to keep water from flowing out its normal route, which indicates that it is already somewhat solid and substantive
- Some drain clearing solutions may be enough to allow some water to flow through, but any additional food that collects in the drainpipe may clog it up again within a matter of days, if not hours
- A clog that is buried deep enough in the drain may not be reachable by basic drain cleaners
- Some chemical drain cleaners can be hard on septic tanks
A better solution can be to call a licensed plumber who understands how to get rid of the clog and make sure it stays gone for the immediate future.
How to Find the Right Kingwood Plumber for the Job
Hiring a plumber to fix the back up on either or both sides of the kitchen sink may be the safest option in ensuring that a do-it-yourself project does not cause a more complex or new problem that is harder and more expensive to fix.
When looking for the right plumber for the job, be sure to take the following into consideration:
- Look for a plumber who is licensed to do the work. Do not be afraid to ask for proof of their license.
- Select a plumbing company who is bonded and insured to help protect yourself and the plumber in the case of damage or injury.
- Enlist a plumbing service who has specific experience with unclogging kitchen sinks that back up on one or both sides.
In addition to vetting the plumber, it can be a good idea to also check out the company they are a part of. When it comes to learning more about the plumbing company itself, be sure to consider the following:
- Verify how long they have been in business.
- Check valid online reviews to see what past clients thought of the company’s work.
- Ask how the company screens the employees that you will be letting into your home.
- Find out what days and hours of the week they work.
- Ask if they charge for estimates and be sure to get a written estimate before work begins.
The upside to vetting a plumbing company and plumber for a somewhat minor and typically non-emergency issue such as the kitchen sink backing up is that you will now have a plumber on hand to assist with other plumbing services (some of which can be for emergencies). You will now have a trusted partner should any of the following be needed:
- Faucet leak repair
- Freeze related pipe damage
- General pipe repair
- Nonfunctioning toilets
- Roots in the sewer line
- Water heater maintenance and repair
- Water leak under the slab
How to Prevent Future Backups in the Kitchen Sink
One of the best ways to keep the kitchen sink from backing up on both sides is simply prevention. A large part of being proactive is being mindful of what food or substances go down the kitchen sink.
As a general rule the following food and substances should not go down the kitchen sink as they can lead to backups:
- Chunks (even small ones) of meat
- Coffee grounds
- Cooking grease
- Eggshells
- Fruit (particularly the peel or pits from citrus like lemons, oranges, or peaches)
- Meat bones (i.e., a pork chop or steak bone)
Although these are the most common offenders of food related drain clogs, other culprits could be foreign objects that accidentally go down the drain such as napkins or related paper products, as well as food wrappers.
Do not wait until the drain begins to slow or a foul odor comes from the sink to wonder, “Why is my kitchen sink backing up on the other side?” The earlier a person detects a possible blockage or clog, it can be a good idea to contact a professional plumber in Kingwood before the problem grows in scope and potential damage. If the sink backs up with seemingly no warning, seek out the assistance of a licensed plumber as soon as possible to prevent pesky odor problems and get back the use of your kitchen sink once again.
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