Kitchen Plumbing Services in Wheeling, IL.

The number one thing you need to know about fixing clogged garbage disposals is to never use chemical drain cleaners. The chemicals can corrode the machine and severely break down and damage the plastic and rubber parts.Try using a plunger to push the clog out of and past the disposal and kitchen sink drain. Then flush it through the line with plenty of water.

If you’re unable to clear the clog, we can help!

Clogged kitchen sinks are among the most common drainage issues homeowners face, largely because food debris and soap residue are nightmares for smooth draining. Before you start with a chemical-based drain cleaner like Drano – stop! Don’t do it! The chemicals in these products can sometimes cause more damage to your system, even if the clog initially seems fixed.Also, beware of utilizing the boiling water method. If your drain is attached to PVC (plastic) pipes, the boiling water could melt or damage the plastic, creating a much larger problem.

Check your garbage disposal. If the clog is in the disposal, check out our tips to unclog your garbage disposal.

If the disposal is not the problem, try using a plunger. If you have a flat-bottom plunger, use it. If not, a toilet plunger will work too. Remember, plungers work best when they are submerged in water.

A natural alternative to chemical cleaners is a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.

Follow these steps:

• Remove standing water from the sink with a cup or bowl.
• Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain, using a spatula or spoon to push the powder down the drain if necessary.
• Pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain opening.
• Place a stopper or cover on the drain to seal the opening.
• Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes.
• Remove the cover and run hot tap water down the drain.

If you’re unable to clear the drain using the methods above, we’re here to help!

Foods that ARE NOT safe to put down the disposal:

• Fats, oils, and grease – While they go down the drain as a liquid, they will congeal causing clogs further down your system.
• Starchy foods – Rice, pasta, and potatoes break down into mush and can clog your drain and gum up your disposal.
• Fibrous vegetables and peels – Celery, corn husks, artichokes, and asparagus become stringy material that balls up and causes clogs.
• Eggshells, shellfish, and coffee grounds – They don’t decompose or break down easily, so a large accumulation will clog the drain.

Foods that ARE safe to put down the garbage disposal:

Any soft liquid or food – if you can feed it to a baby, you can put it down the disposal. If you wouldn’t feed it to a baby, do not put it down at your disposal!

If the shut-off valve under your sink isn’t working, it could be because it’s either stuck, partially closed, or leaking. If it’s stuck, you can try to fix it with a little bit of WD-40. In most instances, this is a short-term fix. It is important to turn the valves on and off every so often along with spraying them with WD-40. If this fix doesn’t work, then it’s time to bring in a professional.

There can be a few different reasons causing your sink to fill up with water when you run your dishwasher.

• Clogged Sink – A kitchen sink clog could prevent your dishwasher from draining properly. You might be able to fix the clog by running the garbage disposal, plunging the sink, or snaking the drain.
• Air Gap Blockage – Air gaps are installed in kitchen sinks next to the faucet. An air gap prevents wastewater from backing up into the dishwasher. If water is flowing in the sink from the air gap, look inside it and remove any debris causing the block.
• Garbage Disposal Drain Plug – The drain plug covers the hole connecting your garbage disposal to your dishwasher. Sometimes when a garbage disposal is installed, the drain plug is not removed. Simply remove it from the garbage disposal to resolve the issue.

There are many reasons for low water pressure. If there’s low water pressure throughout your house and your neighbors are having the same problem, then you need to contact your local water company/municipality to address the issue.If yours is the only house in the neighborhood with low water pressure you can check to make sure that your main valve is fully open and functioning.

If the problem is only in your kitchen faucet, the two most common reasons for low water pressure are a blocked aerator or a clogged cartridge.