How to Unclog a Kitchen or Bathroom Drain

Drains fail slowly, then suddenly. One day the water pools around your feet in the shower, the next day your sink won't drain at all. The good news is that the vast majority of kitchen and bathroom clogs live in the first three feet of pipe below the trap—close enough to reach with tools you already have or can borrow. This guide covers the methods that actually work, in the order you should try them. A clogged drain isn't an emergency, and it's almost never a reason to call a plumber unless you've exhausted these approaches or you suspect damage deeper in the line.

1. Create Your Plunger Seal. For a sink, plug the overflow hole if there is one, then fill the basin about halfway with hot water. For a tub or shower, fill it with several inches of standing water. The water creates the seal a plunger needs to work effectively. Use the hottest water your tap produces—heat helps soften soap, grease, and organic debris.
2. Seal the Plunger. Place a standard cup plunger (the bell-shaped one, not a flange plunger for toilets) over the drain opening so it creates a seal around the rim. The plunger cup should be fully submerged or nearly so. Press down firmly to seat it without letting air escape.
3. Break It Loose. Push down and pull up in quick, forceful motions. Keep the plunger sealed to the drain throughout. Do this for 15-20 rapid strokes without breaking the seal, then release and check if water drains. Repeat the cycle 2-3 times if water still pools. The goal is to dislodge the clog with pressure waves, not to pump water through.
4. Check Drainage. After each plunging cycle, remove the plunger and observe whether water drains. If it drains fully and quickly, you're done. If water still pools or drains slowly, repeat the plunging sequence. If plunging doesn't clear the clog after 2-3 full cycles, move on to the drain snake method.
5. Access the Trap. Place a bucket under the P-trap beneath the sink. There are two nuts holding the trap to the sink tailpiece and the wall drain. Unscrew both by hand or with a pipe wrench, turning counterclockwise. The trap will drop and spill water—the bucket catches it. Once the trap is out, look inside. Hair, soap scum, and debris often lodge right here.
6. Extract the Debris. Use your fingers, needle-nose pliers, or a straightened wire coat hanger to pull out any visible debris. Hair clogs are usually a twisted mass right at the entrance. Don't be squeamish—this is where the clog lives. Once you've removed what you can see, rinse the trap under running water to flush out remaining sludge.
7. Deploy the Snake. If the trap was empty or mostly empty, the clog is deeper in the line. Insert a plumbing snake (also called a drain auger) into the opening where the trap was, or down through the sink if you've reinstalled the trap. Push it forward gently while rotating the handle. You'll feel resistance when the snake hits the clog. Don't force it—twist and push, advance the snake a few inches, then repeat.
8. Penetrate the Blockage. Once the snake encounters the blockage, continue twisting and pushing. The goal is to either pull the clog toward you or break it apart so water can flow around it. You'll feel the blockage give way when it clears—the snake will suddenly move forward easily. Back the snake out slowly, continuing to twist as you withdraw it.
9. Restore the Trap. If you removed the trap, screw it back on by hand first, then tighten the nuts with a pipe wrench. Hand-tight is sufficient—you'll only have to remove it again if the clog returns. Run hot water down the drain for 30 seconds to confirm the water drains freely. If drainage is sluggish, repeat snaking.
10. Freshen the Drain. For slow drains that are now open but still not draining as fast as they should, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain for 30 minutes while the mixture fizzes and works on remaining debris. Then flush with very hot water. This is maintenance, not a primary unclogging method, but it can help restore full flow and freshen the drain.
11. Store the Plunger. Rinse the plunger under running water and hang it to dry in a well-ventilated area. A clean plunger is less likely to spread bacteria or smells back into your drains. Store it where it won't drip onto finished surfaces.