Slow Kitchen Sink Drain & Grease Accumulation

This hub covers kitchen sinks that drain slowly, drain inconsistently, or gradually get worse over time. It includes slow drains caused by grease buildup, changes after appliance use, and slow draining that starts after repairs or outages.

Some slow drains are only noticeable at certain times (like mornings) or only on hot water. Others start after installing a new faucet, disposal, or switching detergent.

Use the groups below to match what changed and how the slow drain behaves, then open the closest article title. For broader kitchen-sink plumbing topics, see the related hub: Kitchen Sink & Food Waste Plumbing.

Basic slow-drain symptoms

Patterns that appear without an obvious cause or backup. Use these if the sink simply runs slower than it used to.

• Kitchen sink draining slowly

  Describes common causes and basic troubleshooting steps when the sink is slower than normal but not fully blocked.

• Slow drain only in kitchen sink

  Helps differentiate kitchen-only slow drains from whole-house or branch line problems.

• Kitchen sink slow but bathroom fine

  Explains why a kitchen sink can slow while bathroom fixtures remain clear and what to check first.

• Slow drain worsens over time

  Covers gradual progression, likely causes, and when a deeper cleaning or inspection is needed.

• Kitchen sink drains slow then speeds up

  Addresses intermittent flow where the sink clears temporarily after initial draining or plunging.

Grease and cooking-related slow drains

Issues tied to cooking oils, fats, and repeated greasy residue in the drain or trap.

• Grease clogging kitchen drain

  Identifies how grease accumulates and practical cleaning methods to restore flow.

• Slow drain after cooking oily foods

  Focuses on timing and symptoms that point to recent cooking as the trigger.

• Grease buildup returns after cleaning

  Explains why grease re-accumulates and strategies to slow or prevent recurrence.

After appliances, detergent, or faucet changes

Slow drains that start after installing or using a dishwasher, disposal, or new products.

• Drain slows after dishwasher use

  Looks at air gap/dishwasher drain connections and how dishwasher waste can affect sink flow.

• Slow drain after garbage disposal install

  Covers improper disposal hookup, knockout issues, and positioning that can reduce flow.

• Slow drain after installing new faucet

  Details installation mistakes or aerator/debris problems that may create a slow sink following faucet work.

• Kitchen sink slow after switching detergent

  Explains how new soaps or degreasing agents can interact with residues to change drain behavior.

After repairs, outages, or winter events

Slow drains that begin after service work, municipal outages, or seasonal plumbing steps.

• Slow drain after plumbing repair

  Describes how recent repairs can leave debris or air pockets that temporarily affect drainage.

• Kitchen sink slow after city outage

  Examines how pressure changes and debris from outages can lead to slow drains once service resumes.

• Drain slows after winterization

  Focuses on things that happen during winter prep or thawing that may restrict flow.

• Slow drain after long vacation

  Explains buildup or trap drying that can cause sluggish flow after a period of disuse.

Temperature and “no visible clog” clues

When flow depends on water temperature or there’s no obvious blockage to see.

• Slow drain only when hot water used

  Discusses greasy or oily residues that soften with heat and block flow only on hot cycles.

• Slow drain with no visible clog

  Suggests hidden buildup in the trap or farther down the line when the sink appears clear on inspection.

• Kitchen sink slow only in morning

  Looks at overnight cooling or settled grease that makes the sink slow at the start of the day.

When slow drain turns into a backup

Signs that a slow drain is progressing toward a full blockage and what to watch for.

• Kitchen sink drains slow then backs up

  Describes the escalation from sluggish flow to standing water and initial emergency steps.

All Articles in This Cluster

• Kitchen sink draining slowly
• Slow drain only in kitchen sink
• Kitchen sink slow but bathroom fine
• Slow drain worsens over time
• Kitchen sink drains slow then speeds up
• Grease clogging kitchen drain
• Slow drain after cooking oily foods
• Grease buildup returns after cleaning
• Drain slows after dishwasher use
• Slow drain after garbage disposal install
• Slow drain after installing new faucet
• Kitchen sink slow after switching detergent
• Slow drain after plumbing repair
• Kitchen sink slow after city outage
• Drain slows after winterization
• Slow drain after long vacation
• Slow drain only when hot water used
• Slow drain with no visible clog
• Kitchen sink slow only in morning
• Kitchen sink drains slow then backs up