Kitchen drains face a tougher job than most. Cooking fats go down the sink warm and liquid, then cool and solidify inside the pipe, catching coffee grounds, rice and other food particles along the way.
Cleaning a kitchen line means removing that greasy layer along the pipe, not just opening a narrow channel through it.
Common signs
- Double sink where one side fills when the other drains
- Food particles coming back up into the sink
- Rancid or sour smell from the drain
- Dishwasher leaving standing water
What usually causes it
Fats, oils and grease
The single biggest cause of kitchen drain blockages.
Starchy food
Pasta, rice and potato peels swell with water and form paste-like clogs.
Coffee grounds and eggshells
These don't dissolve and settle in low points of the pipe.
What to expect when you call
If you have a garbage disposal, let us know — it affects how the line is accessed.
Avoid running the dishwasher until the kitchen drain is clear, or it may back up into the sink.
In Mississauga
In Mississauga's high-rise condos around City Centre and Square One, kitchen drains feed into shared stacks. If a backup appears, building management may also need to be informed. See our Mississauga service area for more.