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How to fix a clogged drain

We'll clear the clog using a plunger, baking soda and vinegar, or a drain snake—no harsh chemicals.

How-to · Home plumbing
15–45 min
What you'll need
  • Cup plunger (not flange—for flat drains)
  • Baking soda and white vinegar
  • Drain snake (hand-crank, for deeper blockages)
  • Bucket, towels, flathead screwdriver, channel-lock pliers (for P-trap)
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Steps

Goal: Remove the cover, clear visible debris, and try the simplest fix first.

  • Unscrew or pry up the drain cover with a flathead screwdriver. If the stopper is push-pull or lift-and-turn, twist it counterclockwise and lift it out.
  • When the cover is off, look for a clump of hair or soap buildup at the opening. If you find one, pull it out with needle-nose pliers and check that water flow improves.
  • Good: Water drains after removing debris. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: Still blocked—proceed to Try the plunger.

Try the plunger

Goal: Use a cup plunger to clear soft clogs (hair, soap, grease) near the opening.

  • Use a cup plunger—not a flange plunger—for flat drains. Fill the sink or tub with enough water to cover the rubber cup.
  • Press the plunger down to form a seal and pump firmly 10–15 times. When you lift the plunger, verify that water drains freely.
  • If it still pools, repeat two more rounds before moving on.
  • Good: Water drains freely. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: No change—try Flush with hot water or Baking soda and vinegar.

Flush with hot water

Goal: Loosen grease and soap buildup before trying baking soda and vinegar.

  • Use very hot tap water (from the tap at maximum heat). If you have metal pipes, you can use boiling water. Pour it slowly into the drain in two or three stages, pausing 5 seconds between pours.
  • For PVC pipes, use very hot tap water only—do not use boiling to avoid softening the plastic.
  • Good: Standing water swirls and drops; drain flows better. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: No change—try Baking soda and vinegar or Drain snake.

Baking soda and vinegar

Goal: Break down grease and soap buildup with a safe, non-chemical treatment.

  • Pour half a cup of baking soda directly into the drain opening. Follow with half a cup of white vinegar.
  • When the mixture foams, cover the drain with a wet cloth to direct the pressure downward. Wait 15–20 minutes, then flush with hot water.
  • For PVC pipes, use very hot tap water instead of boiling to avoid softening the plastic.
  • Good: Water drains at normal speed; no pooling. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: Still slow or blocked—try Flush with hot water first if you haven’t, then the drain snake or Clean the P-trap.

Drain snake

Goal: Reach deeper blockages that the plunger cannot clear.

  • Feed a hand-crank drain snake into the opening until you feel resistance. Crank the handle clockwise to bore through or hook the clog.
  • When the snake moves freely, pull it back slowly. If you find debris on the tip, you have reached the blockage. Run water and verify the drain flows at full speed.
  • Good: Water drains at full speed. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: Snake hits a hard stop that will not budge—that could be a pipe fitting, not a clog. See When to get help.

Clean the P-trap

Goal: Clear blockages in the P-trap (the U-shaped pipe under the sink) when the snake does not reach the clog.

  • For tub or shower drains, the trap may be behind an access panel or under the floor; call a plumber if you can’t reach it.
  • Place a bucket under the P-trap. Unscrew the slip nuts on both ends by hand or with channel-lock pliers.
  • When the trap drops free, dump its contents into the bucket. Look through the trap and pipe stubs—you should see daylight or light from the other end.
  • Reassemble finger-tight, then snug a quarter turn with pliers. Run water and verify the drain flows.
  • Good: Water drains; no drips at the slip nuts. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: Water still pools—the clog is deeper than the trap. See When to get help.

Prevent future clogs

Goal: Reduce the chance of another blockage.

  • Install a mesh drain screen over the opening to catch hair and food particles. Check that it sits flat with no gaps.
  • Once a month, flush the drain with very hot tap water or a baking-soda-and-vinegar treatment—for PVC pipes, use very hot tap water only; if pipes are metal, boiling water is fine.
  • When you notice the drain slowing, act immediately rather than waiting for a full blockage.

When to get help

Call a plumber if:

  • The snake hits a hard stop that will not budge (could be a pipe fitting or main-line blockage).
  • Water backs up from multiple fixtures (suggests main-line blockage).
  • You smell sewage (possible main-line or vent issue).

A plumber has longer snakes and can scope the pipe to locate the problem. For other plumbing fixes, see Fix a toilet that runs or Fix a leaking faucet.

Verification

  • Run water at full volume for 60 seconds. Water should drain without pooling.
  • Check for drips at the P-trap connections (under the sink) or at drain connections.
  • Repeat the flow test after 24 hours to confirm the clog has not reformed.

Did removing the cover and visible debris clear the drain?

Pull out hair or soap buildup at the opening. Often that is enough.

Unscrew or pry up the drain cover. Look for hair or soap buildup at the opening. Pull it out with needle-nose pliers. Run water. Good: water drains—you are done. Bad: still blocked—try the plunger.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Drain is clear

Water drains freely. Install a mesh drain screen to prevent future clogs. For PVC pipes, use very hot tap water (not boiling) for monthly maintenance.

Done

Did the plunger clear the drain?

Use a cup plunger (not flange) for sinks and tubs. Fill with enough water to cover the cup, pump 10–15 times.

Use a cup plunger for flat drains. Fill the sink or tub so water covers the rubber cup. Press down to seal and pump firmly 10–15 times. Good: water drains freely. Bad: still blocked—try hot water, then baking soda and vinegar.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Did flushing with hot water clear the drain?

Use very hot tap water (or boiling for metal pipes). For PVC, use very hot tap water only—not boiling.

Pour very hot tap water into the drain in two or three stages. For metal pipes, boiling water is fine. For PVC pipes, use very hot tap water only—do not use boiling. Good: standing water swirls and drops; drain flows better. Bad: no change—try baking soda and vinegar.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Did baking soda and vinegar clear the drain?

Pour half cup baking soda, then half cup vinegar. Cover and wait 15–20 minutes. Flush with hot water. For PVC, use very hot tap water, not boiling.

Pour half cup baking soda into the drain, then half cup white vinegar. Cover with a wet cloth, wait 15–20 minutes, flush with hot water. For PVC pipes, use very hot tap water instead of boiling. Good: water drains at normal speed. Bad: still blocked—try the drain snake.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Did the drain snake clear the clog?

Feed the snake until you feel resistance. Crank to bore through or hook the clog. If it hits a hard stop, that may be a pipe fitting—call a plumber.

Feed a drain snake into the opening until you feel resistance. Crank clockwise to bore through or hook the clog. Pull back slowly. Run water. Good: drain flows at full speed. Bad: snake hits hard stop or still blocked—try P-trap or call a plumber.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Did cleaning the P-trap clear the drain?

Place a bucket under the P-trap. Unscrew the slip nuts and remove the trap. Clear debris, reassemble.

Place a bucket under the P-trap. Unscrew the slip nuts and remove the trap. Dump contents, check that pipes are clear. Reassemble finger-tight, snug a quarter turn. Run water. Good: drain flows. Bad: still blocked or water backs up from multiple fixtures—call a plumber (main-line blockage).

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Call a plumber

Call a plumber if: the snake hits a hard stop; water backs up from multiple fixtures; or you smell sewage. Those suggest a main-line blockage that needs professional equipment.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to unclog a drain without chemicals?
Start by removing the drain cover and pulling out visible hair or debris. Use a cup plunger (not a flange plunger) with enough water to cover the rubber cup. If that fails, try baking soda and vinegar, then a drain snake for deeper blockages.
Can baking soda and vinegar unclog a drain?
Yes, for grease and soap buildup. Pour half a cup of baking soda, then half a cup of vinegar, cover the drain, wait 15–20 minutes, and flush with hot water. For PVC pipes, use very hot tap water instead of boiling.
When should I call a plumber for a clogged drain?
Call a plumber if the snake hits a hard stop, water backs up from multiple fixtures, or you smell sewage. Those signs suggest a main-line blockage that needs professional equipment.

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