Preventing Clogged Sinks and Slow Drains in Commercial Kitchens

Anyone who’s worked a dinner rush in a restaurant knows how fast a clogged kitchen sink can tank the night. One backup can stall dishwashing, slow service, and put you on the wrong side of a health inspector. The fix is simple: smart habits and knowing when to call a plumber.

Common Causes of Clogged Sinks and Slow Drains

Here are the most common sources of buildup in commercial kitchen plumbing:

• Grease and Oils: Hot grease poured into sinks cools fast, hardening inside pipes and narrowing flow paths that cause blockages.
• Food Scraps: Small particles that slip past strainers can accumulate when they mix with grease or soap residue, forming clogs.
• Soap and Detergent Residue: Certain dish soaps react with minerals in water, leaving a film that coats pipe walls and slows drainage.
• Improper Garbage Disposal Use: Fibrous foods, bones, and shells can jam blades and clog drain These units are best reserved for softer scraps only.
• Floor Drains: Designed to capture mop water and runoff, they often collect sediment and grease. Without regular flushing, they become hidden sources of backups.

Preventive Practices for Staff

Regular training and routines stop a kitchen sink clogged with residues from slowing down the team. Owners and managers can reinforce this by promoting the following practices:

• Scrape Before Washing: Require staff to scrape plates and cookware into trash bins before rinsing. This habit keeps leftovers out of the commercial kitchen drain.
• Manage Grease: Provide sealed containers for used oil and arrange recycling or safe disposal. Post signs above sinks to remind staff not to pour grease down drains.
• Perform Hot Water Flushes: At closing, flush sinks with hot water for several minutes to clear grease and soap residue.
• Check Drain Strainers: Use heavy-duty sink strainers and clean them often. Staff should check them during shifts to prevent solids from slipping into pipes.
• Maintain Commercial Floor Drains: Have staff flush floor drains weekly with hot water or an enzyme cleaner to keep them clear and odor-free.

Even with consistent routines, every commercial kitchen must also meet specific plumbing and health code standards to stay compliant.

Grease Control Systems and FOG Compliance

Commercial kitchens in California are required to keep fats, oils, and grease—FOG—out of the sewer system. Grease traps and interceptors are commonly used to prevent blockages and contamination by separating grease from wastewater before it reaches the main sewer line.

When these devices are more than one-quarter full, they stop working effectively and can put your kitchen out of compliance. Regular professional cleaning keeps your drains clear, your records current, and your business inspection-ready.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

For restaurant owners, reliable plumbing protects revenue, ensures compliance, and keeps service uninterrupted. Call a licensed plumber if you notice:

• Slow or Clogged Drains: Water that remains in the pipe typically indicates a deeper blockage.
• Recurrent Backups: If clogs keep returning, the cause may be a damaged grease trap or undersized piping.
• Strong Odors: Smells from drains may come from rotting food or a damaged sewer line.
• Overflowing Grease Traps: If traps spill even after cleaning, hydro-jetting or pipe repair may be needed.
• Inspection Problems: If a health inspector cites plumbing issues, bring in a licensed plumber quickly to avoid fines or closure.

Unlike snaking, which only punches a narrow path through a clog, hydro-jetting scours the entire pipe wall clean. It’s the method plumbers rely on when standard fixes fall short.

Keep Your Kitchen Running With Lynch Plumbing

For more than 35 years, Lynch Plumbing has helped restaurants and commercial kitchens across Los Angeles, Ventura County, and the San Fernando Valley keep their plumbing performing at its best. Our licensed plumbers understand the demands of high-volume food service and provide fast, reliable solutions that keep your kitchen running.

We offer commercial drain cleaning services, including hydro-jetting, line maintenance, and 24/7 emergency repairs. When buildup, slow drains, or backups threaten your operation, you can count on our experience to clear the problem and keep service on schedule.