Slow drains are usually caused by a mix of hair, soap scum and grease that builds up close to the drain opening. Start with the gentlest method and work your way up. Avoid chemical drain cleaners if you can: they are corrosive, can damage older pipes and make it dangerous to use a plunger or snake afterward.
1. Clear what you can see
In bathroom sinks and showers, the clog is often right under the stopper. Remove the stopper (many lift out or unscrew; some need the pivot rod under the sink loosened) and pull out the hair with gloves or a cheap plastic drain claw. This alone fixes a surprising number of slow drains.
2. Hot water
For kitchen sinks clogged with grease, pour a kettle of hot water down the drain in two or three stages. Do not use boiling water on PVC pipes that are already full of standing water or on porcelain toilets.
3. Plunge
Use a cup plunger for sinks and tubs (a flange plunger is for toilets). Fill with enough water to cover the cup, block the overflow hole with a wet cloth, and plunge with firm, straight strokes about 15 to 20 times. On a double kitchen sink, block the other drain.
4. Clean the P-trap
Under the sink, the U-shaped pipe traps debris.
- Put a bucket underneath.
- Unscrew the two slip nuts by hand or with pliers.
- Empty and clean the trap, check the pipe going into the wall.
- Reassemble, hand-tight plus a quarter turn, and run water to check for leaks.
5. Use a drain snake
If the clog is further down, a hand auger (drain snake) reaches several feet into the pipe. Feed it in, turn the handle when you feel resistance to grab or break up the clog, then pull it back. Flush with hot water.
What about baking soda and vinegar?
It makes an impressive fizz but has little power against a real clog. It is fine as a mild weekly freshener, not as a fix.
When to call a plumber
Call a professional if several drains are slow at the same time, if water comes up in the tub when you run the washing machine, or if you smell sewage. That points to a problem in the main line.
Prevention
Use a hair catcher in showers, wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing, and never pour cooking fat down the sink. A faucet that drips into a slow drain makes things worse, so see how to fix a leaky faucet too. For more general upkeep, read the best ways to clean and maintain your home.
