Clear a Slow or Clogged Drain

Skip the harsh drain chemicals — they corrode pipes and rarely solve the actual blockage. Mechanical removal works better and is safer.

Difficulty: Easy Time: 15–45 min Cost: $0–$15

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Avoid chemical drain cleanersThey can damage older pipes, hurt your eyes if they splash, and create dangerous fumes if mixed with anything else.

Tools

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Flashlight
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Plastic drain snake / "Zip-It"
Cheap barbed plastic strip from any hardware store
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Bucket
For under the P-trap
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Channel-lock pliers

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1

Remove the stopper

Bathroom sinks: unscrew the pivot rod nut under the sink and pull the stopper out. Tub: most lift-and-turn stoppers unscrew counterclockwise.
2

Use a zip-it

Feed the plastic snake straight down the drain, twist, and pull up slowly. Have a paper towel ready — what comes up is unpleasant.
3

If still slow: clean the P-trap

Put a bucket under the U-shaped pipe below the sink. Loosen the two large slip nuts by hand or with channel-locks. The trap will release with water — dump and clean it.

Tip: Look at the inside of the trap before you reinstall. If it's coated with buildup, that's why it kept clogging.
4

Flush with hot water

Reassemble the trap (hand-tight is usually enough), then run hot tap water for 2 minutes to flush the line.