When a kitchen sink keeps blocking, it often has a build-up on the inside of the pipe. A sink that drains slowly for a few weeks and then stops is usually showing the result of that build-up, and the last load of washing-up was the one that closed the gap. Knowing what the build-up is made of tells you which method matches the blockage.
This guide covers the cause, why it keeps coming back, four ways a drain can be cleared, and the questions to ask before anyone starts work. It is written for homeowners and renters who want to deal with a slow kitchen sink without adding harsh chemicals to the pipe.
Why a kitchen sink keeps blocking: what is in the pipe?
Cooking fat is liquid while it is hot. Once it goes down the sink and cools, cooking fat in drains solidifies against the pipe wall and narrows the opening. Food scraps can then catch on that layer, and the water starts to pool.
The Fatberg article on Wikipedia describes fatbergs as fat, oil and grease deposits combined with flushed solids such as wet wipes, and says that in the United States almost half of all sewer blockages are caused by grease.
Why does it keep coming back?
A blockage that keeps returning in the same place is worth taking seriously. The guidance from Top Fixers is that recurring blockages usually point to a defect in the pipe, such as a displaced section, a wrong fall, a poor joint or ingress into the pipe. Grease may still be part of the story, but a repeat blockage is a reason to look at the pipe, not only to clear it again.
The company also lists a CCTV drain camera inspection for when a blockage recurs. That inspection is priced separately from a standard clearance.
Four ways a drain can be cleared
Drain rods and electric augers. These are the company's methods for clearing a blocked drain. A rod is pushed by hand into the pipe; an electric auger, sometimes called a drain snake, feeds a motor-driven cable into it.
High-pressure water jetting. Drain jetting is used where fat, scale or heavy debris has built up along the pipe. A hose fitted with a nozzle sends water along the pipe at high pressure. It is priced separately from a standard clearance.
Chemical drain cleaners. A drain company's own guidance is to avoid them. Older pipework and seals can suffer, and an established blockage is seldom cleared by them.
What does a professional clearance cost in Dubai?
For a blocked kitchen sink in Dubai, Top Fixers drain clearing is one option. The company is a Dubai technical services company, and its website lists drain clearing from AED 199 for a standard blockage. High-pressure jetting and CCTV inspection are priced separately, and the company quotes them before work begins. A standard price therefore does not mean that jetting is included, so ask which of the two you are being quoted for.
Disclosure: the company did not write, commission or review this article and does not endorse it. The facts about the company come from its own website, read in October 2026.
What to ask before any work starts
Four questions cover most of what you need to know before a visit.
- Which method is proposed? Rods, an auger, jetting, or a combination.
- Is jetting included in the price, or quoted separately? Ask for the jetting price in writing if it is not part of the standard figure.
- What is the fixed price, in writing, before any work begins? Ask for it before the engineer starts.
- Will chemical cleaners be used? If they are, ask why, since the company's own guidance is to avoid them.
Questions people ask
Is jetting the same as using a rod?
No. Drain rods and electric augers are one group of methods; high-pressure water jetting is another, used where fat, scale or heavy debris has built up. Because jetting is priced separately, ask for it by name in the quote.
What should I do if the sink is already backed up?
Check the strainer and the visible part of the plughole, then ask a drain company for a visit and a written price.
Keep the sink clear between visits
Keeping fat and food out of the pipe removes the cause described above. These habits need no products:
- Scrape plates and pans into the bin before they go in the sink.
- Let cooking fat cool in the pan, wipe it out with paper towel, and put the paper in the bin.
- Use a strainer basket in the plughole to catch food scraps and coffee grounds.
- Keep a small jar for used cooking oil, and take it to the bin when it is full.
None of these replaces a proper clearance if the sink is already blocked. They keep the cause from building up, so there is less to clear next time.
Do not combine cleaners. The green cleaning guide lists the combinations to avoid and the simple ingredients that cover most jobs.
The short version
A kitchen sink that keeps blocking often has a grease layer on the pipe wall. Drain rods and electric augers are one group of methods, and high-pressure jetting is used where fat, scale or heavy debris has built up. The company's own guidance is to avoid chemical cleaners, because they can damage older pipework and seals and rarely clear an established blockage. Before you book, ask which method is proposed, whether jetting is included, and get a fixed price in writing before any work begins.
For the wider picture on what goes into household waste, including food waste, see how to reduce household waste.