Clogged Drain: How to Clear It Yourself

Step-by-Step Fix

1. 1

   Try boiling water first

   For kitchen sink clogs (grease-based), pour a full kettle of boiling water directly down the drain in three stages, letting it work for a few seconds between pours. Don't do this on PVC pipes if they're older — use hot tap water instead.

2. 2

   Use a plunger

   Fill the sink with a few inches of water. Cover the overflow hole (the small hole near the top of the sink) with a wet rag. Place the plunger over the drain, press down to seal, and pump vigorously 10–15 times. Pull up sharply on the last stroke.

3. 3

   Try baking soda and vinegar

   Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain and let it fizz for 15–30 minutes, then flush with hot water. Good for light clogs and regular maintenance.

4. 4

   Use a drain snake

   Feed the snake cable into the drain until you feel resistance. Rotate the handle clockwise to catch the clog, then pull out the cable. Clean the clog off the snake and repeat until water flows freely.

5. 5

   Clean the P-trap

   Put a bucket under the curved pipe beneath the sink. Unscrew the slip nuts on each end of the P-trap by hand (or with channel-lock pliers). Remove the trap, clean out any debris, and reinstall it. Hand-tighten the nuts and run water to test for leaks.