How a Clogged Sink Impacts Your Kitchen

You and your family spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Whether you’re cleaning food for a meal or washing dishes, you’ll need a functional sink for a variety of kitchen tasks. 

So, what happens if your sink is clogged? It may seem a small inconvenience to temporarily have a clogged sink. However, this can become a larger issue, especially if it is not addressed. Here’s an in-depth guide to what impacts come from a clogged kitchen sink. 

Pests and microbes

Typically, a sink clogs from the food that's put down a kitchen drain. When cooking oil and other types of grease are poured down the drain, it stagnates and clogs.

Stagnant water is not good because some insects thrive in this condition. For example, drain flies and fruit flies both thrive in water. Fruit flies can then go on to inhabit any produce that is left in the open, like fruit in a bowl on the counter.

In addition to pests, a clogged kitchen sink may encourage microbial growth. Mold, which accumulates in wet places, is especially harmful to people with allergies or conditions like asthma. Bacteria also uses stagnant water as a breeding ground. This includes some of the bacterial strains that are connected to food poisoning.

The water drains much more slowly

Having a clogged sink may not mean it is completely blocked. In some cases, a clog prevents a sink from properly draining but allows water through much more slowly. This is inconvenient, especially when cooking or trying to wash dishes. 

Connected appliances may cause overflows

If the clog is further down in the drain line system, then appliances like dishwashers that also drain into the same location may also be impacted by the clog. In some cases, this may cause water to backflow into the sink when the dishwasher tries to drain. It can also create an additional pool of standing water in the dishwasher.

The home may smell bad

Standing water can lead to different odors that may smell like rotting food or sulfur. This is due to the interactions between the particles of food and the microbes in the water. If there is consistent standing water, grease may also float from the clog to the surface of the water, which can create oily smells. 

Fortunately, some clogs can be fixed with or without professional help. When there is a plumbing emergency, professionals like those at Mr. Plumber are the perfect match for clogged kitchen sinks. They can also assist with maintenance techniques to eliminate future clogs. 

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