Hey now, let's be honest: plumbers are not cheap. While there are definitely times when nothing short of a professional will do, there really are a lot of simple plumbing jobs that you can do without dishing out the serious money for a real plumber. So, if you find yourself staring back at a drain that simply will not drain, here are few simple ideas to keep in mind to help you get it flowing again.

Plumbing deals with water and water can suddenly fill your house if you aren't careful with the plumbing. Make sure that you know where the main shut off valve is located in case you spring a leak. Also figure out where the shut off valve is on the pipes you are currently fixing.

Kitchen drains tend to clog up due to a buildup of grease from cooking and cleaning. Fix the issue by dumping hot grease down the drain. The hardened grease will try to liquify and move down the pipes. If pouring grease does not solve your problem then you might have something blocking the drain besides grease.

Begin with the basics by examining the drain for minor blockages like food. Remove the sink stopper and strainer to give them a thorough cleaning. Check to see if quickly cleaning these materials fixes the problem. If not, you will need to work with stronger plumbing tools like snakes and plungers.

First try using a snake tool. It works quite well when trying to unblock a drain. A snake is made up of a long thin piece of corrugate pipe. It is inside of a device that fits in your hands. The snake extends and retracts the pipe so you remove just about anything blocking your drain.

Using the snake is as easy as sticking the end into the drain a couple inches. Turn the handle to change the direction of the snake head. This will allow you to catch whatever is blocking the drain. Keep proceeding down the drain until you find a blockage. Repeat this process by turning the handle until you find the culprit.

Once in awhile a snake will not unclog your drain. When this happens you need to try a chemical drain cleaner. Make sure to first use a plunger before you use any chemical drain cleaner. You don't want to use a plunger after using chemical drain cleaner because the chemical drain cleaner might splash onto your face and eyes causing harmful irritation.

When plunging the drain it is crucial that water covers the drain. This will help you to have a good seal to aid with the plunging action. Make sure to place a cover or seal over any drain vents or other sink drains. Plung 15-20 times in a row before stopping and removing the plunger. If the sink still will not drain then repeat this process another 2-3 imes. Use the chemical drain cleaner next. If all of this doesn't work then you will have to get out your phone book and call a professional plumber.