Kitchen Sink Not Emptying

[Chipchopper]

After washing a few pots and pans, this morning, the sink continued to fill up, even though the plug wasn't in.

I've tried using a plunger, but to no avail.

How can I sort out the problem ?

Ps, the weather outside is freezing.

[maggiebee]

Is there perhaps a blockage in the u-bend? I'm certainly not an expert, but this was a problem I had. I found it very easy to unscrew the sections under the sink and clean it out.

[RATTER15]

You may need to dismantle the trap under the sink and clean it out.

When plunging the the sink, remember to cover the overflow of the sink effectively or it will not work!

[douglas9401]

Remove the u-bend and check fo solidified fat.

Empty as much of the water from the sink as you can beforehand and place a basin below your work area.

[VHG]

Yes, clear out the U bend under the sink,

You can buy sink unblockers from supermarkets or hardware stores.

Also try pouring boiling hot water down the sink the soften up the fat if it is that which has solidified.

[Togo]

Check that the out flow pipe is not frozen Chipchopper. Pour a kettle of hot water over it before you dismantle the U trap. It can be a messy job. Bail the sink out first with a saucepan or siphon it out if you know how. Have a bucket handy under the trap as well.

[TWR]

Put a wet towel into the sink and use it as a plunger.

[Togo]

Snap douglas. I didn't see your post before I replied.

[Togo]

Just another point Chipchop. When you have dismantled the U bend. Someone will turn a tap on. This is an irrefutable law of amateur plumbing.

[VHG]

>>When you have dismantled the U bend. Someone will turn a tap on.

I must admit in the past I have taken off the u bend, poured the water from the u bend into a bucket.

Then, while the u bend was still off, poured the contents of the bucket back in the sink, which then goes all over the base of the kitchen unit !

I must admit (red faced) I have done it more than once.

Maybe put something in the sink (a large saucepan or other large object) top stop you doing it.

[The Builder]

Oh, VHG... we've all done that a few times. Lying under a sink and reaching up to empty the trap into it. Plumbing makes fools of us all.........

Chippers, with the trap removed, poke down the outlet pipe with a length of fencing wire, or a straightened out coat hanger. The bung-up won't be far away.

First though, if the outlet goes to an external gully, check it's not frozen solid or obstructed in some way.

[Ric.ror]

I would pop a bit of caustic soda down - now why should I not do that?

[Chipchopper]

Thanks to all those who answered.

I went through all the remedies above and below the sink, only to find that a short length of plastic pipe had frozen solid on the outside wall. I sorted that with some hot water from the kettle.

Oh' well, the U bend did need cleaning though! ;-/

[Ric.ror]

I once used a hairdryer to defrost a frozen pipe