Kitchen Sink Completely Blocked? What to Check Before Booking

Standing water in a kitchen sink is frustrating, especially when you need to cook or wash up. A completely blocked sink can be caused by a build-up in the trap, grease and food debris further along the waste pipe, or an issue beyond the sink itself. The symptoms can help you decide what to do next.

This guide covers straightforward, low-risk checks and the warning signs that it is time to ask a sink-unblocking specialist for help. If you are in our coverage area, including parts of Camden and Westminster, our standard eligible household sink-unblocking service is £85 with no separate call-out fee.

If water is no longer draining, avoid repeatedly filling the sink. Remove objects from around or beneath the basin that could be damaged if water spills. Check whether nearby appliances connected to the same waste pipe are affected, and avoid using them if wastewater may back up.

When safe, check whether the plughole or removable strainer contains food scraps or other visible debris. Remove only material you can reach comfortably without dismantling plumbing. Some blockages are further down the pipe, so a clear plughole does not mean the waste line is clear.

If several sinks or other fixtures back up together, the issue may lie beyond a single sink. This matters because our standard service specialises in household sink blockages; a wider drainage problem can require a different service. Tell us which fixtures are affected before arranging an appointment.

Never combine drain-cleaning products, bleach, acids or other household chemicals. Mixing them can release hazardous fumes or cause serious burns. If a chemical cleaner has already been used, tell the attending professional exactly which product you used. Do not dismantle pipework containing an unknown chemical solution.

Consider professional help if water remains standing, the blockage repeatedly returns, wastewater backs up when another appliance drains, or you are unsure how to investigate safely. Leaks, damaged pipework and problems affecting multiple fixtures should be described when enquiring because they can fall outside our standard sink-only service.

Fix My Drainage offers a £85 standard agreed household sink-unblocking service, no separate call-out fee, and a 30-day warranty for qualifying repeat blockages. Appointments are subject to postcode and availability. We focus on sinks rather than general plumbing repairs or external drains.

The restriction may be in the trap or further along the waste pipe. A visibly clear plughole alone cannot confirm where a blockage is located.

If water is standing or backing up, adding more water can lead to overflowing. Stop using the sink until you know it can drain safely.

Our published standard price for an agreed eligible household sink-unblocking job is £85. See our pricing breakdown and kitchen sink unblocking service for details.

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