A clogged kitchen sink is a common and frustrating situation for any homeowner. When the water won't drain, you're left with an unusable sink and a mess to clean up. The good news is that you can usually avoid a clog in the kitchen by being extra careful about what you put down the drain.

Your kitchen sink is designed to let water flow out of the sink, through the pipes, and out to your sewer or well. Basically, anything other than water is a foreign object. Here are four things that should be caught before they make their way past the strainer:

• Grease, Oil, Butter or Margarine.  Hot fats will harden once they start to flow through cool pipes causing a blockage. 
• Food Scraps. Any organic scraps can cause clogs, especially bits of starchy foods like pasta and rice that absorb water.
• Coffee Grounds. Believe or not, those tiny little grains get thicker as they sit in pipes attempting to pass water. 
• Flour. When cleaning up after your cupcake party, be sure to sift any leftover flour into the trash. Think of what sticky, raw dough could do to your pipes!
  

If you suspect that something has been rinsed down the kitchen drain that shouldn't be, here are four options to consider:



1. Try to use a plunger to force the clog to move.
2. Using a snake (or plumber’s auger) can be all that's needed to push the clog out. 
3. If you're handy, inspect the trap where the pipe under the sink curves. You may be able to remove what's stuck...just be sure to have a pail ready to catch the water and gunk. 
4. Call a plumber. When all else fails, rely on a professional who has the brains for drains.

If you are experiencing a clogged kitchen sink in your Southern California or Arizona home, contact us at City Plumbing & Rooter. Our plumbing professionals know how to quickly remove even the toughest kitchen drain clogs. With advanced training and top-of-the-line equipment, our team is prepared for anything. 

Need a drain cleaned fast? Emergency services are available on an as-needed basis for all of our customers. Add City Plumbing & Rooter to your contacts to easily request service whenever you've got a plumbing issue to tackle!