## Why Isn’t My Kitchen Sink Draining?
A clogged kitchen sink is a common household problem that can be frustrating to deal with. The good news is that most kitchen sink clogs can be fixed with a few simple steps.
### Troubleshooting a Clogged Kitchen Sink
1. **Check the garbage disposal.** If you have a garbage disposal, check to see if it is clogged. The garbage disposal can get clogged with food scraps, grease, and other debris. To unclog the disposal, try running hot water down the drain and then using the disposal to grind up a few ice cubes. You can also try using a commercial drain cleaner designed for garbage disposals.
2. **Inspect the P-trap.** The P-trap is the U-shaped pipe under the sink that connects the drain to the main sewer line. The P-trap can get clogged with hair, soap scum, and other debris. To clean the P-trap, remove the cleanout plug at the bottom of the trap and flush out the trap with a bucket of hot water.
3. **Check the vent pipe.** The vent pipe is the pipe that runs from the top of the sink drain to the outside of the house. The vent pipe allows air to enter the drain system, which helps to prevent clogs. If the vent pipe is clogged, water will not be able to drain properly from the sink. To check the vent pipe, open a window in the bathroom and then turn on the water in the sink. If you can hear the water gurgling in the vent pipe, then the vent is clogged. To clean the vent pipe, remove the cleanout plug at the top of the pipe and flush out the pipe with a bucket of hot water.
4. **Snake the drain.** If the clog is not in the garbage disposal, P-trap, or vent pipe, then you will need to snake the drain. A drain snake is a long, flexible cable with a hook on the end. To snake the drain, insert the snake into the drain and turn the handle clockwise. The hook will catch the clog and break it up.
5. **Call a plumber.** If you have tried all of the above steps and your kitchen sink is still not draining, then you will need to call a plumber. A plumber can use a variety of tools and techniques to clear a clogged drain.
### Preventing Kitchen Sink Clogs
There are a few things you can do to prevent kitchen sink clogs:
* **Dispose of food scraps properly.** Food scraps should be disposed of in the garbage disposal or compost bin, not down the drain.
* **Avoid pouring grease down the drain.** Grease can solidify and clog the drain.
* **Use a drain screen.** A drain screen can catch hair, soap scum, and other debris before it has a chance to clog the drain.
* **Clean your garbage disposal regularly.** Run hot water down the disposal and grind up a few ice cubes once a week to keep the blades sharp and prevent clogs.
* **Flush your drains with hot water.** Pouring a pot of hot water down the drain once a month can help to prevent clogs from forming.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your kitchen sink draining properly and avoid the need for costly repairs.