Last updated: 2026-10-11
Plumbline passes kitchen sink choke requests to plumbers across Singapore. Kitchen sinks choke for one main reason: grease and food solids build up inside the trap and the pipe until water can barely pass. It starts as slow draining and ends as standing water.
What the plumber does first
The plumber checks the sink trap (the bend under the sink) first, because many kitchen chokes sit there and can be cleared by opening it. If the blockage is further along the pipe, they clear it with an auger or machine and check that the floor trap on the same line drains too.
What to try before you call
- Boiling water is not for every sink. Hot water can loosen grease, but very hot water can damage some plastic traps; warm water and dish soap is safer.
- Plunge the sink, with the second sink outlet (if you have one) covered.
- Open the trap under the sink with a bucket below, if you are comfortable doing it, and clear what is inside.
- Stop if water still will not drain. The blockage is further down the pipe.
Can a handyman do this?
Yes. Clearing blockages in sanitary appliances and clearing and flushing drainage pipes are on PUB's list of simple works that do not need a PUB Licensed Plumber (PUB). Replacing a pipe is regulated work.
Keeping it clear
- Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing them.
- Use a sink strainer for food scraps.
- Do not pour cooking oil down the sink: let it cool and bin it.
- Coffee grounds and rice set like mortar in pipes. Bin them.
What is included
- Sink trap opened and cleared
- Pipe cleared with auger or machine if needed
- Floor trap on the same line checked
- Test run with hot and cold water
- Leaking trap joints resealed
- Advice on what caused it
- Price agreed before work starts
- Receipt for the job
DIY, a quick fix, or a proper job
| DIY | Quick fix | Proper job | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clears grease build-up | Partly | Partly | Trap and pipe cleared |
| Checks the floor trap | No | Rarely | Yes, same drain line |
| Fixes a leaking trap | No | No | Joints resealed |
What it costs
Choke clearing is priced by method and depth. Published 2026 Singapore rates for clearing chokes start around S$60 for simple hand clearing, with machine clearing priced higher (published 2026 rates). Ask whether transport is included.
Try the cost estimator or read the plumber cost guide.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Plumber Cost in Singapore? (2026 Prices)
- Licensed Plumber or Handyman? What PUB Allows
How it is done
- Send a request. Sink choked or slow, and whether the floor trap backs up too.
- Price. The plumber quotes before coming.
- Clear and test. Trap and pipe cleared, water run to confirm.
- Pay the plumber. Directly, with a receipt.