A gurgling sound in your kitchen followed by the sight of dirty water filling your sink is the stuff that nightmares are made of. When your sink fills with water from the drain, your first reaction might be to turn on the garbage disposal, but it could be the source of your problems. If you have water filling the sink, here is what you need to know. 

 What Is Causing It?

When it is working efficiently, the garbage disposal can whisk away dirty water, food, and other debris that have disappeared down the drain. However, a jammed garbage disposal can do the opposite. When the drain plug covers the drain hole from the disposal, water can back up into your sink.  

Another possible culprit of dirty water backing up could be your dishwasher. Sometimes, the drain hose that is responsible for removing water from the dishwasher gets twisted or has a kink. When this happens, water not only fills your sink, but also the dishwasher. A soap buildup from the dish detergent can even contribute to the clog.  

In addition to these possible causes, the dirty water in your sink could be the result of a blockage somewhere in the plumbing lines. The clog could be caused by food or other debris. For instance, if you have poured cooking oil down the drain, as it cooled, it could have formed a solid block in the plumbing lines.  

What Can You Do?

Before flipping the switch on your garbage disposal to try and clear the dirty water from the sink, take a look at the appliance. If you have recently had the disposal installed, ensure the drain plug was properly removed. If not, remove it and run the disposal.  

If the problem persists, check your dishwasher's drain hose. The hose will need to be straightened if it is twisted. You also need to ensure that it is still in good condition. Check for cracks or holes. If the hose is worn, it will need to be replaced.  

When the sink is clogged, you can try to clear the drain with the help of a drain cleaner. It is important to remember to be careful when using these products. Using too much could result in damage to the plumbing lines.  

Call your plumber if the water continues to back up into your kitchen sink. He or she can assess the situation and determine if other steps, such as snaking the line, are necessary. For more information, contact a plumbing company such as C B Lucas Heating & Air Conditioning.

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