Blocked Kitchen Sink Services in Newcastle
A blocked kitchen sink is almost always caused by grease and fat accumulation in the drain line — and it almost always needs professional jet cleaning to properly resolve. Unlike shower drains where a cheap barbed tool clears the hair blockage, kitchen sink blockages typically develop metres down the drain run where DIY tools can't reach.
Why Kitchen Drains Block Differently
When you wash greasy dishes or pour cooking fat down the drain, the hot liquid flows easily. Within a few metres of the drain opening, the pipe is at ambient temperature — around 18-22°C — and fat solidifies. Each washing session deposits a thin layer. Over months, the layers accumulate into a substantial waxy plug that progressively narrows the pipe bore.
This is why your kitchen drain goes from draining slowly to not draining at all without much warning — the blockage develops gradually until it reaches a tipping point.
What We Use to Clear Blocked Kitchen Sinks
High-Pressure Water Jetting
Our standard method for kitchen drain blockages. A 3,500–5,000 PSI water jet with a rotating nozzle blasts grease from the pipe walls completely — not just punching a temporary hole through it. A properly jetted kitchen drain stays clear significantly longer than one cleared by mechanical methods.
Electric Eel (Where Jetting Isn't Suitable)
For situations where jetting access is limited or the pipe condition is uncertain, we use a mechanical auger as a first step. We'll always use the most appropriate tool for your specific situation.
Prevention Tips
- Never pour cooking fat, oil or grease down the drain — bin it
- Scrape plates before washing to remove food residue
- Use a sink strainer to catch food particles
- Monthly enzyme drain treatment to break down early-stage grease
- Preventative jet clean every 2–3 years for heavy-use kitchens
Kitchen Sink Clearing Costs in Newcastle
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Kitchen drain jet clear | $180 – $280 |
| Kitchen drain + CCTV | $350 – $500 |
| Preventative maintenance jet | $180 – $250 |
Why does my kitchen sink keep blocking even after clearing?
If the kitchen sink keeps re-blocking within weeks of being cleared, the pipe walls weren't fully cleaned — only a hole was punched through the grease. A thorough hydro jet clean removes grease from the full pipe circumference. If it re-blocks despite a proper jet clean, the pipe may have a gradient issue or damage that's accelerating accumulation — a CCTV inspection will identify it.
Will Drano fix a blocked kitchen sink?
For surface-level grease in the immediate P-trap area, caustic cleaners can partially help. For established grease blockages further down the drain run — where most significant kitchen sink blockages occur — they're ineffective. They also damage pipe seals with repeated use and create a hazardous situation for any subsequent plumber work. Professional jetting is always a better solution.