How to Prevent Kitchen Sink Clogs

What clogs kitchen drains

The usual suspects are easy to avoid:

• Grease and oil that cool and harden in the pipe
• Coffee grounds and starchy or fibrous food
• Hard-water scale narrowing the pipe over time
• Too much food at once down the disposal

Habits that prevent clogs

Build these into your routine:

• Pour grease into a can, not the drain
• Scrape plates into the trash before rinsing
• Use a sink strainer to catch food
• Run cold water while using the disposal
• Flush the drain with hot water weekly

When to call a pro

If your sink still clogs often despite good habits, scale or a deeper blockage may be the cause. Professional drain cleaning — or hydro jetting for grease buildup — clears it and keeps it open.