From dishes to meal prep, the kitchen sink is often used daily in the home. Problems with a kitchen sink can result in major plumbing issues. Homeowners should be aware of any kitchen sink issues they come across and at what point they should contact a plumber. The earlier you diagnose a problem, the better the repair situation you will have for your home.

Learn about five sink problems to look for, what each sign means, and the process plumbers will use to keep your kitchen sink running smoothly.

1. Gurgling

As you drain water in the kitchen sink, it may sound like the pipes are trying to communicate with you. You may hear a deep gurgling as water goes down the drain pipes. The gurgling is typically a sign that something is blocking the water from draining clearly. The blockage creates air bubbles which force their way through the water and create a gurgling sound.

Typically, the blockage is either food or dried fat. When the grease cools down, it will harden, thicken, and stick to the sides of pipes. Food particles can easily stick inside the grease and create a major blockage issue.

You can reduce the gurgles and blockage with a hydro-jetting service. Plumbers Reno can use power hydro jets to clean out the drains and force all of the debris into a septic tank. Since they use pure water, you won’t have to worry about having chemicals introduced to your septic tank, especially as you’ll avoid the use of draining solutions.

2. Slow Drain

An even bigger sign of a blockage is a slow draining kitchen sink. When you release the plug from a sink, you may notice a delay in the drainage. The slowdown could mean there is a blockage within the pipes. A hydro jetting service will also help with slow drains, but a full pipe inspection may be needed as well.

Plumbers can use a video camera to inspect the pipes to ensure everything drains correctly. If drain pipes are located near the exterior of your home, a plumber will ensure the pipes have not frozen and drain water can properly pass through.

In some cases, you could have pests who got stuck and lodged inside your drain pipe. Critters like rats and mice are known to explore drain pipes and the animals could cause a blockage within your drain. The power of a hydro jet could help dislodge the animal and clean out the pipes.

3. Dual Drain

If you have a two-bay sink, then you may notice plumbing problems when looking at the drains on both sinks. As you drain water out, you may see suds and water rise up in the other sink drain. This is not a normal process of the sink and could be a sign of a clog or drain pipe issue.

The section connecting both sinks to the drainage pipe usually sits higher up and could be clogged with food and debris. The pipe usually sits flat, allowing grease and fats to easily build up. When the water cannot properly reach the drain, it will move upwards and come out of the other sink drain.

A plumber can take apart the components underneath the sink and individually clean out each part. The clean-out will help the sink drain properly and prevent the flow of drain water from one sink to another.

If you have a dishwasher, the plumber will also inspect the dishwasher connection to ensure the

water flow and drainage from that appliance is not interfering with the sink.

4. Water Leaks

Every now and then, you should perform a quick inspection under your sink to ensure there are no water leaks or other issues. With a visual inspection, you should look for any small puddles, condensation, or drips from the pipes. You can also take a paper towel or napkin and rub it around the outside of the pipes.

If any moisture is present, then you may need repairs or maintenance for the plumbing. A plumber can tighten connections and find the source of the leak so the problems do not worsen. If you let small leaks persist, then you risk additional pipe damage and possible mold growth in the kitchen.

5. Odors

Another clear sign of plumbing issues is the odors that may come from your sink. The smell of old food or rotten eggs could indicate some blockage. If you have no drain issues and the smell persists, then you may have a septic tank problem. A septic tank could be low, leaking, or blocked.

Simply covering up the odor will not help fix the problem. An inspection of the sink all the way to the septic tank can help find the source of the issue and repair the problem before the smells get worse or you have to deal with more plumbing issues.

Contact us at Easy Rooter Plumbing for all of your plumbing needs and emergencies. We have years of experience and can diagnose your plumbing problems to ensure your kitchen sink and other drain pipes run properly.