Simple home DIY repairs

[13177]

Whenever i do washing in my kitchen sink, the detergent bubble would raise up and overflow the floor trap under my kitchen sink and flow out into my kitchen cabinet drainage hole into my kitchen floor.

The plumber had come to clear the drainage and they tell me the problem should be resolved. But it seems like the issue still exists le.

Anyone knows what could be the reason that the problem still cannot resolve ah?

[Lala81]

On 2/13/2026 at 9:31 AM, 13177 said:

Whenever i do washing in my kitchen sink, the detergent bubble would raise up and overflow the floor trap under my kitchen sink and flow out into my kitchen cabinet drainage hole into my kitchen floor.

The plumber had come to clear the drainage and they tell me the problem should be resolved. But it seems like the issue still exists le.

Anyone knows what could be the reason that the problem still cannot resolve ah?

There must still be accumulated blockage down there. Sometimes they only poke a hole through the center of the obstruction. 

Unless u are using large amount of detergent liquid that causes excess foaming.

Try to buy your own drain auger/snake and see if can pass down smoothly or whether u encounter further resistance

https://shopee.sg/4-5-10-meters-Portable-Plumbing-Auger-Drain-Snake-Clog-Remover-Tool-Pipe-Cleaner-for-Toilet-Bathtube-i.231308268.23332848858?extraParams={"display_model_id"%3A221267583059%2C"model_selection_logic"%3A3}&sp_atk=c921bfa4-6204-477b-8f7b-a2d116ff87e2&xptdk=c921bfa4-6204-477b-8f7b-a2d116ff87e2

 

[13177]

On 2/13/2026 at 10:04 AM, Lala81 said:

There must still be accumulated blockage down there. Sometimes they only poke a hole through the center of the obstruction. 

Unless u are using large amount of detergent liquid that causes excess foaming.

Try to buy your own drain auger/snake and see if can pass down smoothly or whether u encounter further resistance

https://shopee.sg/4-5-10-meters-Portable-Plumbing-Auger-Drain-Snake-Clog-Remover-Tool-Pipe-Cleaner-for-Toilet-Bathtube-i.231308268.23332848858?extraParams={"display_model_id"%3A221267583059%2C"model_selection_logic"%3A3}&sp_atk=c921bfa4-6204-477b-8f7b-a2d116ff87e2&xptdk=c921bfa4-6204-477b-8f7b-a2d116ff87e2

 

The plumber did used this drain snake to press down the hole few times, took out some debris from the hole. But the foaming still same. 

I don’t think i am using excess detergent liquid, just normal washing lo.

In my previous house, i don’t have such foaming issue even i have been cooking even more and also more washing done.

Now thinking should i ask the plumber to come again and need to pay again. 😅

Anyone has plumber to recommend?

[Lala81]

On 2/13/2026 at 10:17 AM, 13177 said:

The plumber did used this drain snake to press down the hole few times, took out some debris from the hole. But the foaming still same. 

I don’t think i am using excess detergent liquid, just normal washing lo.

In my previous house, i don’t have such foaming issue even i have been cooking even more and also more washing done.

Now thinking should i ask the plumber to come again and need to pay again. 😅

Anyone has plumber to recommend?

Unless u have a plumber who has a flexible fiberoptic scope, no point one lah.

This drain auger is only $10. go try yourself first lah.

I had this issue before when my drain pipe for my WM will have foaming up also.

So i bought this auger and went inside and removed a broken off piece of hose plastic that was causing the problem.

 

Edited February 13 by Lala81

[13177]

On 2/13/2026 at 10:21 AM, Lala81 said:

Unless u have a plumber who has a flexible fiberoptic scope, no point one lah.

This drain auger is only $10. go try yourself first lah.

I had this issue before when my drain pipe for my WM will have foaming up also.

So i bought this auger and went inside and removed a broken off piece of hose plastic that was causing the problem.

 

Looks like i buy this and try lo. Rather paying $100+ for the plumber to come again and yet cannot resolve the issue. 😅

[Lala81]

On 2/15/2026 at 10:16 AM, 13177 said:

Looks like i buy this and try lo. Rather paying $100+ for the plumber to come again and yet cannot resolve the issue. 😅

yeah. u can try to manipulate the drain snake yourself, see if u can meet any resistance past the bend.

[Lala81]

Don't pour gravy/zhup down the sink. Pour into a plastic bag and throw into refuse.

Have a good sink trap to catch most of the food bits.

Once in a while, pour a whole kettle of boiling water down the PVC drain pipe to help wash away congealed fat/oil

 

my parent's place kitchen sink drain also has some problems since construction (likely partly obstructed by cement debris), so this is just normal things I've done since i was a boy. 

 

Edited February 15 by Lala81

[13177]

On 2/15/2026 at 10:59 AM, Lala81 said:

Don't pour gravy/zhup down the sink. Pour into a plastic bag and throw into refuse.

Have a good sink trap to catch most of the food bits.

Once in a while, pour a whole kettle of boiling water down the PVC drain pipe to help wash away congealed fat/oil

 

my parent's place kitchen sink drain also has some problems since construction (likely partly obstructed by cement debris), so this is just normal things I've done since i was a boy. 

 

Never pour any food waste or zhup down the sink lo. I never encountered such problem in all the houses i stayed. This is the first time. Sian.😫 
 

Suspected the contractor during reno, don’t know how many things they dumped into the floor trap. Cause when the plumber came that time, he managed to retrieved some thing like wooden debris from the drainage.

[13177]

On 2/15/2026 at 10:21 AM, Lala81 said:

yeah. u can try to manipulate the drain snake yourself, see if u can meet any resistance past the bend.

Never use the drain snake before. Seeing how the drain snake operates, reminds me like doc doing some colonoscopy surgery. Lol.

[mersaylee]

On 2/15/2026 at 11:54 AM, 13177 said:

Never use the drain snake before. Seeing how the drain snake operates, reminds me like doc doing some colonoscopy surgery. Lol.

If the doc could see the condition of your throat means your intestines are super short...or he has gone down the wrong path with the scope 😅

[13177]

On 2/13/2026 at 10:04 AM, Lala81 said:

There must still be accumulated blockage down there. Sometimes they only poke a hole through the center of the obstruction. 

Unless u are using large amount of detergent liquid that causes excess foaming.

Try to buy your own drain auger/snake and see if can pass down smoothly or whether u encounter further resistance

https://shopee.sg/4-5-10-meters-Portable-Plumbing-Auger-Drain-Snake-Clog-Remover-Tool-Pipe-Cleaner-for-Toilet-Bathtube-i.231308268.23332848858?extraParams={"display_model_id"%3A221267583059%2C"model_selection_logic"%3A3}&sp_atk=c921bfa4-6204-477b-8f7b-a2d116ff87e2&xptdk=c921bfa4-6204-477b-8f7b-a2d116ff87e2

 

Ordered on 15/2 and the item delivered on 16/2 10pm plus. That was fast. 😂

Now need to figure out how to use this snake. But no time these few days. Lol.

[Mkl22]

On 2/13/2026 at 10:21 AM, Lala81 said:

Unless u have a plumber who has a flexible fiberoptic scope, no point one lah.

This drain auger is only $10. go try yourself first lah.

I had this issue before when my drain pipe for my WM will have foaming up also.

So i bought this auger and went inside and removed a broken off piece of hose plastic that was causing the problem.

 

Yup. Use a scope and check. Else plumber will just do the bare minimum and collect money. 

[Kb27]

On 2/1/2026 at 10:23 PM, Mkl22 said:

My Irwin pliers rusty. Crap…

feel like throwing. Only 2yrs but used for plumbing and hence gets wet. 

Knipex will be rust free? 

Prepare a bottle of water filled with vinegar, citric, or some mild acid. Let it soak at least 24hrs or more.

You can wipe off the rust after that.

I bought this INGCO, CrV wrench, so far it hasn't rusted. It's useful for toilet application.

https://shopee.sg/INGCO-2-IN-1-adjustable-wrench-HADWG0810-i.1313670727.28666393235

I also have a set of Irwin pliers, all rusted. 

[Kb27]

On 2/13/2026 at 9:31 AM, 13177 said:

Whenever i do washing in my kitchen sink, the detergent bubble would raise up and overflow the floor trap under my kitchen sink and flow out into my kitchen cabinet drainage hole into my kitchen floor.

The plumber had come to clear the drainage and they tell me the problem should be resolved. But it seems like the issue still exists le.

Anyone knows what could be the reason that the problem still cannot resolve ah?

Kitchen sink - the main problem in my experience is oil and grease. Bcus of cooking.

For me, I need to use a self-made scoop to lift up all the crud, sludge in the kitchen drain. Using jet power water also don't flush them away, if they are already solidified.

You may want to try this CAREFULLY.. Get a 5L bottle of alkali, normally, sodium hydroxide, NaOH. Start pouring small cups into the drain. NaOH reacts with oil and grease to make soap. So wear gloves, and eye protection before using. Hopefully this will dissolve and remove the sludge.

If it still doesn't work, either DIY clean the drain or call the plumber.

Bathroom sink is a different problem, it's all hairy.  😂

[13177]

On 2/18/2026 at 2:07 PM, Kb27 said:

Kitchen sink - the main problem in my experience is oil and grease. Bcus of cooking.

For me, I need to use a self-made scoop to lift up all the crud, sludge in the kitchen drain. Using jet power water also don't flush them away, if they are already solidified.

You may want to try this CAREFULLY.. Get a 5L bottle of alkali, normally, sodium hydroxide, NaOH. Start pouring small cups into the drain. NaOH reacts with oil and grease to make soap. So wear gloves, and eye protection before using. Hopefully this will dissolve and remove the sludge.

If it still doesn't work, either DIY clean the drain or call the plumber.

Bathroom sink is a different problem, it's all hairy.  😂

Bathroom sink usually won’t clog with hairs. Usually hairs would wash down the floor trap drainage. Wonder will it clog up the drainage in long run?! 😅

[Mkl22]

On 2/19/2026 at 6:12 AM, 13177 said:

Bathroom sink usually won’t clog with hairs. Usually hairs would wash down the floor trap drainage. Wonder will it clog up the drainage in long run?! 😅

You have no women in the house? My sinks clog every 6-8mths with long hair. 

[Raychay]

On 2/19/2026 at 6:59 AM, Mkl22 said:

You have no women in the house? My sinks clog every 6-8mths with long hair. 

Agreed!

 

[Kklee]

On 2/13/2026 at 9:31 AM, 13177 said:

Whenever i do washing in my kitchen sink, the detergent bubble would raise up and overflow the floor trap under my kitchen sink and flow out into my kitchen cabinet drainage hole into my kitchen floor.

The plumber had come to clear the drainage and they tell me the problem should be resolved. But it seems like the issue still exists le.

Anyone knows what could be the reason that the problem still cannot resolve ah?

IMHO.
Use less detergent.
My household washing machine also like that -  small load laundry use 2 x washing pods.  🤣

Helper -The washing machine drainage overflow with lots of water and bubbles
Employer  - how come like that ?
Helper - I don't know, I never do anything.  
Employer - how many washing pod you use to wash the three towels
Helper - I use 2x washing pods
Employer - why did you use 2 ?
Helper - I want the towels to be clean, so I use 2 
Employer  - Then the whole laundry basket clothes how many you use?
Helper - I use 1x washing pod
Employer - So 1x washing pod the clothes clean or not ?

🤣

Edited February 19 by Kklee