4 Easy Ways to Unclog Any Drain, According to Experts

Learn how to unclog a sink, fix shower and tub drains, identify a drain blockage you can fix yourself, and more.

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The drains in your home, be it the kitchen sink or bathtub, can handle a lot. But over time, grease, hair, and other debris can build up and cause clogs. If you're currently dealing with this issue, don't call your plumber just yet. There are a few simple DIY techniques you can use to unclog the drains, from simple tools you can find at any hardware store to cleaning solutions you can make at home.

How to Unclog a Drain With a Snake

A bathtub or sink clog can usually be cleared with a small 15-foot manual hand snake, says Gene Cunningham, virtual plumbing expert for Frontdoor.

  1. Remove the strainer or stopper on the sink or bathtub.
  2. Insert the snake down the drain. You may need to twist the tool to find the right angle.
  3. Embed the tip into the clog as deeply as possible to allow the barbs to hook the material. 
  4. Remove the drain snake, pulling up any material with it.
  5. Run hot water to wash out any loose debris and clean the drain.  
  6. Reinstall the strainer or stopper.

How to Unclog a Drain With a Plunger

A plunger is an effective way to unclog a kitchen sink or bathtub drain. To make this method more effective, apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly to the rim of the plunger cup to create a tighter seal, says Brian Shaunfield, store manager at Lowe’s.

  1. Remove the strainer or stopper on the sink or bathtub.
  2. Cover the overflow opening on the bathtub or sink with a wet cloth.
  3. If standing water isn't already present, add 2 to 3 inches, but be careful to keep it from overflowing.
  4. Cover the drain hole with the plunger cup and work the handle up and down repeatedly.
  5. After 15 to 30 seconds, see if the water drains properly. Try again if the drain is still blocked or sluggish.
  6. After you clear the clog, run water to flush away any remnants of the obstruction. 
  7. Reinstall the strainer or stopper.

How to Unclog a Drain With Baking Soda

One of the easiest ways to remedy minor clogs is with baking soda, distilled white vinegar, and hot water, says George Calabrese, owner of Calabrese Plumbing.

  1. Remove the strainer or stopper on the sink or bathtub.
  2. Cover the overflow opening on the bathtub or sink with a wet cloth.
  3. Loosen clogs by running hot water down the drain for two to three minutes.
  4. Pour 1/2 a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 a cup of white vinegar.
  5. Cover the drain and let the cleaning solution sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
  6. Pour hot water down the drain (or boiling water if your water doesn't get very hot).
  7. Reinstall the strainer or stopper.

Make sure to evaluate your plumbing before using boiling water to unclog a drain, as it can damage porcelain sinks and PVC piping.

How to Unclog a Drain With Pliers

The main culprit of bathtub clogs is hair caught under the drain stopper, which can typically be extracted with needle nose pliers, says Calabrese. But if you take off the drain stopper and don't see a visible clog, it may have traveled into the pipes and one of the above methods may be necessary to remove it.

  1. Remove the drain stopper.
  2. Locate the clog and use pliers to gently remove it.
  3. Reinstall the strainer or stopper.
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