Plumbing Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore: Garbage Disposal Water Backing Up
You turn on the kitchen sink, run the garbage disposal, and suddenly notice dirty water bubbling back up into the other side of the sink. Lovely.
If water is coming back up through your garbage disposal, something is preventing it from draining properly. It might be a simple clog, or it could point to a bigger problem somewhere in your kitchen drain line.
What this backup could mean:
- There could be a clogged drain or deeper plumbing issue.
- Running the disposal again usually will not solve the problem.
- Ignoring recurring backups can lead to standing water, odors, leaks, and more extensive damage.
Let’s dive in and discuss what to do if this happens to you!
What Does It Mean When Water Comes Back Up?
Your garbage disposal connects to the same drainage system as your kitchen sink. When everything is working correctly, water and food particles move through the disposal and down the drain without much thought from you. When there is a blockage, that water has nowhere to go. Instead, it can get pushed back toward the sink.
If you have a double-basin sink, you may notice the water coming up in the basin opposite the disposal. You might also hear gurgling or see the water level rise when the disposal is running. That is your plumbing’s way of waving a little red flag.
A Clog Is Often the Culprit
Food scraps, grease, coffee grounds, and other debris can build up inside the drain over time. Even if you are careful about what goes into your disposal, small amounts of debris can eventually collect farther down the drain.
A clog near the disposal can cause water to back up almost immediately when you run it. If the clog is farther down the kitchen drain line, you may notice other symptoms too, such as slow drainage or water backing up when the dishwasher runs.
And if you are thinking, “I’ll just run the disposal again,” we don’t recommend it. Running it repeatedly will not clear a blockage and can make an already messy situation even messier!
Your Dishwasher Could Be Part of the Problem
Your dishwasher typically drains through the same general plumbing system as your kitchen sink. That means a blockage can affect both appliances.
If water backs up into your sink when the dishwasher is running, there may be a clog in the shared drain line. You might also notice food particles or dirty water appearing in the sink after a dishwasher cycle. It’s gross, but give us a call, and we’ll be right there to fix it for you.
Don’t Keep Using the Sink Like Nothing Happened
If the sink is backing up, avoid running more water until you know what is causing the problem. Skip the disposal, hold off on the dishwasher, and give your kitchen drain a break.
You can check for obvious debris around the disposal opening and make sure the disposal is not jammed. Never put your hand inside the disposal to investigate. If there is a deeper clog, chemical drain cleaners are also not the best first move. They may not solve the blockage and can create additional hazards for anyone who later needs to work on the drain.
Coral Chats: Why Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Damage Your Pipes
When Should You Call a Plumber?
If the water keeps coming back up, the sink is completely blocked, or multiple drains are having trouble, it is time to call on Coral.
Our plumbers can determine where the blockage is located and whether you are dealing with a garbage disposal issue, a kitchen drain clog, or a problem farther down the line. Getting it addressed early can also help prevent an overflowing sink and potential water damage.
And if your disposal is making unusual noises, leaking, or refusing to turn on along with the backup, mention those symptoms when you call. They can help point our guys in the right direction.
“This is my ‘go-to’ plumbing company…. very knowledgeable and professional in every manner. In all my years, I’ve never experienced any better. I strongly recommend giving this company a chance to prove their expertise.” -John
Don’t Let a Sink Backup Become a Bigger Mess
Water coming back through your garbage disposal is not something you need to panic about, but it is something you should not ignore. Your plumbing is telling you that water is having trouble getting where it needs to go.
If your kitchen sink is backing up, let our team at Coral Pelican Plumbing swoop in and take a look. We can find the source of the problem and help get your kitchen drain flowing properly again. Give us a call to schedule plumbing service, and we’ll dive into the problem before it gets worse.