Your kitchen sink is one of the most used plumbing fixtures in your home. Unfortunately, it's the drain connected to the sink that usually takes the brunt of daily sink use. One of the plumbing problems that you may experience with your kitchen sink drain at some point is clogging. 

Clogged kitchen sinks are a plumbing problem that can arise at any time and will need to be fixed quickly to avoid inconvenience and potentially costly plumbing repairs. The best way to deal with blocked kitchen sink drains is to unclog them as soon as you notice signs of trouble, such as slow drains and gurgling noises coming from your drains. 

Here is what to do before calling an emergency plumber to fix your stopped-up kitchen sink drain. 

1. Use Boiling Water

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to clear a kitchen sink clog is to pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. The heat from the water should help with dislodging the clog, thus allowing the water to run freely again. While you are waiting for the water to boil, use a mug or small container to remove the standing water from your sink.

2. Use a Wire Coat Hanger

If pouring steaming water down your drain doesn't work, try using a wire coat hanger. Straighten out the wire and create a small hook at one end to help with getting the gunk out. Insert the hooked end of the wire into your drain while poking into it to try to dislodge the clog. If you feel like something is trapped under the wire, pull out the wire and remove the trapped debris. 

You'd be surprised at how effective this improvised tool can be at clearing sink clogs if used correctly.

3. Grab a Kitchen Plunger

A kitchen plunger is one of those DIY plumbing tools that every homeowner should have because it's so easy to use. All you have to do to dislodge a clog in your kitchen sink is to create an airtight seal around the drain opening and then apply some force while thrusting the handle up and down in quick succession.  

Keep in mind that a kitchen plunger is different from a toilet plunger. Unlike toilet plungers, kitchen plungers don't have a cone-shaped extension protruding from the interior section of the rubber cup.

If the above DIY fixes for clogged kitchen sink drains don't work, feel free to contact an emergency plumber for help.