Blocked Kitchen Sink London
Grease, fat, food waste — the three most common causes of blocked kitchen sinks in London. We unblock kitchen sinks same day across all 33 boroughs, from £65. No call-out fee, 24/7.
Try These First — DIY Fixes for a Blocked Kitchen Sink
Before calling us, try these in order. They work for most minor kitchen sink blockages — usually a grease plug in the trap or the first metre of waste pipe.
Boiling water
Pour a full kettle down the drain slowly. Melts grease and fat near the top of the trap. Safe for most pipes — avoid if you have old plastic waste pipes.
Plunge
Block the overflow with a wet cloth. Fill the sink slightly. Plunge vigorously 10–15 times with a cup plunger directly over the plughole.
Bicarb + vinegar
Pour 125g baking soda, then 125ml white vinegar. Cover 15 minutes. Flush with a full kettle of hot water. Good for grease and light blockages.
Clear the trap
Put a bucket under the P-trap. Unscrew it by hand. Remove the blockage — usually a solid grease plug. Rinse and refit. Call us if the clog is deeper in the pipe.
If none of these work — or the sink backs up again within a week — the blockage is deeper in the waste pipe and needs a drain rod or high-pressure jetting. Call us.
What Causes Blocked Kitchen Sinks in London?
London sees over 50,000 drain blockages annually — most caused by fat, oil, and grease (FOG) in domestic kitchens. In older London properties with cast iron waste pipes, FOG accumulates faster because the rough pipe walls give it more to cling to.
| Cause | Why it blocks | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking fat & grease | Solidifies on pipe walls, accumulates over months | Never pour fat down the sink — dispose in the bin |
| Food scraps | Catch in the trap and create partial blockages | Use a sink strainer at all times |
| Coffee grounds | Dense, don't dissolve, pack together in the trap | Compost or bin coffee grounds |
| Pasta, rice, bread | Absorb water and swell in pipes | Bin food waste — don't rinse into the sink |
| Soap scum build-up | Combines with food waste and limescale | Monthly hot water flush helps in London's hard water areas |
| External drain blockage | Shared drain blocked further down the stack | Affects multiple properties — requires drain jetting |
Blocked Kitchen Sink Prices — London 2026
| Job | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen sink unblock — trap or grease in waste pipe | 30–45 min | £65 |
| Kitchen sink unblock — deep blockage (drain rod) | 45–60 min | £85 |
| High-pressure drain jetting — kitchen sink waste | 45–60 min | £120 |
| Trap replacement (cracked or corroded) | 20–30 min | £55–£75 |
| Waste pipe replacement (under-sink section) | 30–60 min | £75–£110 |
| External drain jetting (shared stack) | 1–2 hrs | £150–£250 |
Fixed quote on arrival. No call-out fee. 7 days a week including Bank Holidays.
We Cover All London Boroughs
Same-day response across London — from Barnet to Bromley, Ealing to Newham. Average arrival under 60 minutes.
Blocked Kitchen Sink FAQs
How much does it cost to unblock a kitchen sink in London?
Unblocking a kitchen sink in London costs £65–£120. A simple trap or grease blockage cleared by hand or with a plunger is £65. A deep grease blockage in the waste pipe requiring a drain rod or jetting machine is £85–£120. Fixed quote on arrival — no surprise charges.
Why does my kitchen sink keep blocking?
Recurring kitchen sink blockages are almost always caused by fat, oil, and grease (FOG) accumulating in the waste pipe. Every time cooking fat is washed down the sink it solidifies on the pipe walls. The fix is a hot-water jet flush plus a change of habits — never pour cooking oil or fat down the sink.
Can I unblock a kitchen sink myself?
Yes, for minor blockages. Try boiling water first — it can melt grease. Then a cup plunger (block the overflow first). Clearing the P-trap under the sink is also straightforward — put a bucket underneath, unscrew it, clear the blockage, and refit. If the blockage is deeper in the waste pipe, call us — you'll need a drain rod or jetting machine.
What should I never put down a kitchen sink?
Never put cooking fat, oil, or grease down a kitchen sink (even small amounts solidify in pipes), plus coffee grounds, food scraps, pasta or rice, eggshells, or wet wipes. In London, FOG from domestic kitchens is the leading cause of the city's 50,000+ annual drain blockages.
My kitchen sink is gurgling but still draining slowly — do I need a plumber?
Gurgling with slow drainage is an early warning of a partial blockage — usually grease in the trap or waste pipe. You have time to try DIY methods first. If it doesn't clear within a day or the sink backs up completely, call us. Catching it early is cheaper than waiting for a full blockage requiring jetting.
Can a blocked kitchen sink cause a smell?
Yes. A blocked or slow-draining kitchen sink creates stagnant water and decaying food waste in the trap and waste pipe — producing a strong sewage or rotten egg smell. Unblocking the drain resolves the smell. If the smell persists after unblocking, the trap may need cleaning or the trap seal may have dried out.
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Kitchen Sink Blocked? We'll Fix It Today.
From £65 · Same day · No call-out fee · All London boroughs
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