Kitchen Sink Keeps Backing Up? Antioch & Concord Homeowner’s Checklist

A kitchen sink that keeps backing up is more than an inconvenience—it’s a sign your drain line is collecting grease, food scraps, soap scum, or scale. If you live in Antioch or Concord (or nearby Walnut Creek), use this step-by-step checklist to restore flow safely and prevent the problem from coming back. We’ll also cover the warning signs that mean it’s time to call the pros at Service Pros Plumbers.

Your 10-Step Homeowner’s Checklist

1) Run Hot (Not Boiling) Water

Let hot tap water run for 2–3 minutes. The heat softens congealed fats and soap residue and can push light buildup through the line. (Boiling water can warp or damage some plastics—avoid it.)

2) Check the Garbage Disposal

If you have a disposal:

• Reset it (press the red button on the unit’s underside).
• Shine a light inside and remove visible obstructions with tongs (never hands).
• Add a few ice cubes and a splash of dish soap; run cold water and turn the disposal on to clean the impellers.

3) Use a Sink Plunger (Correctly)

Fill the sink with 2–3 inches of water. Block the other side of a double sink with a wet rag to create pressure. Place a cup plunger over the drain and plunge 20–30 seconds. Repeat 2–3 times.

4) Clear the Trap Arm & P-Trap

Place a bucket under the P-trap. Loosen slip nuts and remove the trap and trap arm. Clean out debris, rinse, and reassemble with washers seated correctly. Hand-tighten and add a gentle quarter-turn with pliers—don’t overtighten.

5) Inspect the Dishwasher Tie-In

Backups that appear when the dishwasher runs often point to a clog in the tie-in or air gap:

• Remove the air-gap cap and clean debris.
• Check the hose from the air gap to the disposal or drain; re-secure any loose clamps.

6) Snake the Line (Beyond the Trap)

If the clog returns quickly, use a ¼-inch hand auger to reach deeper into the wall line (usually 10–25 ft). Feed the cable gently, rotate to bite the blockage, retract, and flush with hot water.

7) Try a Wet/Dry Vac Pull

With the vac in liquid mode, seal the hose over the drain (a damp towel helps) and pull for 10–15 seconds to retrieve debris. Follow with a hot-water flush.

8) Use Enzyme Drain Treatment (Not Caustic Chemicals)

Avoid chemical drain cleaners—they can damage pipes and finishes and rarely solve deeper blockages. Instead, apply a bio-enzymatic treatment overnight to digest organic buildup.

9) Look for Bigger Clues

If the kitchen sink backs up along with other fixtures (tubs, showers, or floor drains), you may have a main line issue—often grease, scale, or roots. That calls for camera inspection and pro-level clearing.

10) Call the Pros If It Keeps Coming Back

Recurring kitchen clogs suggest heavy grease deposits or scale that DIY can’t fully remove. Hydro jetting can scrub the entire line and restore pipe diameter for a longer-lasting fix.

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Why Kitchen Sinks Back Up (Antioch & Concord Homes)

• Grease & Oils: Even small amounts cool and harden in pipes, trapping other debris.
• Starches & Fibrous Foods: Rice, pasta, potato peels, celery, and onion skins swell or tangle.
• Coffee Grounds & Eggshells: Abrasive particles settle in elbows and traps.
• Soap Scum & Scale: Hard-water minerals combine with soap to narrow pipe diameter.
• Aging or Flat Lines: Older plumbing or improper slope allows waste to settle and build up.

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When to Call Service Pros Plumbers

• You’ve plunged, cleaned the trap, and snaked the line but the clog returns.
• The sink backs up when the dishwasher runs.
• You notice gurgling in nearby drains or sewer odors.
• Other fixtures are also slow—possible main sewer problem.

We’ll perform a video camera inspection to see exactly what’s inside your drain and recommend the fastest, most cost-effective fix—from pro snaking to hydro jetting for a deep clean. Serving Antioch, Concord, and Walnut Creek, we provide upfront pricing, careful protection of your kitchen, and clean, professional results.

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Pro Solutions That Last

• Camera Inspection: Confirms the cause—grease, scale, foreign objects, or structural issues.
• Power Augering: Clears obstructions quickly to restore flow.
• Hydro Jetting: High-pressure water cleaning that removes grease and scale along the entire pipe.
• Preventive Maintenance: Enzyme schedules, best-practice kitchen habits, and periodic scoping for older lines.

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Kitchen Sink Backup Prevention Tips

• No Grease, Ever: Wipe pans with a paper towel and trash it.
• Use a Strainer: Catch food scraps before they enter the drain.
• Cold Water with Disposal: Run cold water before/after for 30 seconds.
• Monthly Enzymes: Keep organic buildup in check the safe way.
• Avoid “Problem Foods”: Rice, pasta, peels, coffee grounds, and fibrous veggies.
• Annual Checkup: Older homes benefit from periodic camera inspections or maintenance jetting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1) Why does my kitchen sink clog even when I’m careful?
Even trace amounts of grease and soap can build up over time, especially in older or flat drain lines. Small particles then stick to that residue, creating recurring clogs.

2) Is hydro jetting safe for kitchen lines?
Yes—after a camera inspection confirms the pipe condition. Hydro jetting is excellent for removing grease and scale, restoring more of the original pipe diameter.

3) My sink backs up when the dishwasher runs—what’s wrong?
That usually indicates a clog in the dishwasher tie-in, air gap, or the branch line. Cleaning the air gap and clearing the line typically resolves it.

4) Can chemical drain cleaners fix this faster?
They may eat a small hole through soft clogs, but they don’t remove grease layers, can damage pipes and finishes, and are unsafe to handle. Enzyme treatments are safer for maintenance; stubborn clogs need mechanical clearing.

5) How do I know if it’s a main line problem?
If multiple fixtures are slow or you hear gurgling in other drains, the blockage may be deeper in the main sewer line. A camera inspection will confirm, and we’ll recommend the right solution.

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Get Fast, Local Help—Contact Service Pros Plumbers

Stop the cycle of temporary fixes. If your kitchen sink keeps backing up in Antioch or Concord (or nearby Walnut Creek), our licensed team will diagnose the root cause and clear it for good.

Use the online form on this page to contact Service Pros Plumbers now.
Tell us what’s happening, and we’ll respond quickly with next steps and a convenient service window.

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