Blocked Sink & Kitchen Drain in Derby

Why Kitchen Sinks Block: FOG Build-Up

Kitchen drain blockages are almost always caused by fats, oils, and grease — collectively known as FOG. Every time cooking fat goes down the drain, a small amount sticks to the pipe wall. At kitchen temperatures the fat is liquid; in the cooler pipe it solidifies. Over weeks and months, the build-up accumulates and gradually reduces the bore of the pipe from the inside.

The first sign is a sink that takes longer to drain than it used to. Left unaddressed, the pipe eventually blocks completely. This is not a one-off event — it is a gradual process, and the same pipe will block again within months if it is only partially cleared.

High-pressure jetting is the effective solution: it cuts through the grease plug and scours the pipe walls clean, rather than simply poking a hole through the build-up and leaving the grease-coated walls intact.

Why Bathroom Sinks Block: Hair and Soap

Bathroom basin blockages are caused by hair caught in the plug or trap, combined with soap scum. Hair wraps around the trap mechanism or catches at any restriction in the waste pipe, and soap deposits bind it into a solid mass. The blockage is almost always in the trap or immediately below it — rarely in the underground drainage.

In some properties across Derby — particularly older housing with original cast iron or lead waste pipes — limescale deposits also contribute. Derby's water supply is moderately hard, which means scale builds up slowly inside pipes and creates rough surfaces that trap debris more easily.

DIY: When It Works and When to Call

A bathroom basin trap blocked with hair can often be cleared by removing and cleaning the trap — a 10-minute job if you can access it. If the blockage is further down the waste pipe, or if you cannot access the trap, it is time to call us.

For a kitchen sink with a genuine grease blockage, clearing the trap gives temporary relief but the build-up in the pipe below will block again quickly. Jetting the whole waste pipe and clearing the trap together gives a lasting result.

When a Blocked Sink Signals a Bigger Drain Problem

If your kitchen sink and bathroom basin are both draining slowly at the same time, or if clearing one quickly results in the other slowing down, the blockage is likely in a shared waste pipe or in the underground drain rather than at the individual fixtures. We assess this on arrival and, if needed, extend the inspection to the underground system.

Related services: Drain Unblocking · Blocked Bath & Shower · Drain Jetting