When water comes up in the other side of a double sink while the garbage disposal runs, the drain past the point where the two sides join is often partly blocked. The disposal pushes water out with force, and if it cannot flow away fast enough, it takes the easiest path, which may be up into the other basin.
This is a common complaint in kitchens with double sinks. It is usually a sign that something in the shared drain is slowing the flow, rather than a sign that the disposal itself has failed.
How a Double Sink and Disposal Are Connected
In many kitchens, each side of a double sink has its own drain opening. Below the sink, the two drains join together and then flow into one shared drain line. When a disposal is installed on one side, it empties into that same shared line.
When the disposal runs, it sends water and ground food out quickly. If the shared part of the drain is clear, the water flows away. If it is narrowed, the water can back up and rise in the side without the disposal. The exact layout under your sink may be different, depending on how it was installed.
Possible Reasons It Happens
Water rising in the other basin can be linked to:
- food waste, grease or buildup in the shared drain or trap
- too much food fed into the disposal at once
- a partial clog farther down the kitchen drain line
- a dishwasher that drains into the same line at the same time
- drain parts that were set up in a way that slows the flow
These are possible causes, not a diagnosis. If other drains in the home are also slow, the issue may be beyond the kitchen.
What You Can Do Safely
Stop running the disposal if water is rising in the other side. Running it again can push more water and food into the other basin. Let the water drain if it will, and keep the area dry.
Never put your hand or tools into the disposal, and do not try to clear it while it has power. Avoid chemical drain cleaners, which can splash when the unit runs and make later repairs more dangerous. A plunger on a double sink can push water out of the other opening, so it may not help and can make a mess.
When to Get Help
If the problem keeps happening, or the sink will not drain at all, have it checked. A plumber can look at the disposal connection, the shared drain and the line beyond it. In Bronx apartment buildings, tell the super if neighbors notice slow kitchen drains, since a shared line may be involved.
If water keeps rising in your other sink each time the disposal runs, our team can offer help with a garbage disposal problem and check the drain it feeds into. Call (929) 209-6183.
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