01Which drain, which clog
One fixture slow = local clog. All fixtures slow + gurgle = main line — stop DIY. Kitchen: grease + food. Bathroom: hair + soap.
Remove standing water with cup — plunger needs water to push, not air.
Home & DIY
Unclog a Sink or Shower Drain Yourself
Hair, grease, and the right order — plunger, snake, then chemicals never first
1h5 photographed stepsBeginner
Full DIY plumbing method for slow or blocked drains: diagnose kitchen grease vs bathroom hair, use cup plunger correctly, remove and clean P-trap under sink, hand-crank drain snake 3–5 meters, flush with hot water, and know when to stop and call a pro (main line, multiple fixtures backing up). No Drano as step one.
What you'll learn
- Kitchen clog = grease; bathroom = hair — same tools, different prevention
- Plunger needs water seal — cover overflow hole on sink
- P-trap twist-off catches most sink clogs before snake
- Snake clockwise, catch clog, pull don't push into main line
Inside this course
- Diagnose and plungerFree tries first.
- P-trap and snakeWhere clogs live.
- Pass and preventKeep it flowing.
Full step-by-step lessons with photos unlock with a subscription.
Free preview
First steps from Diagnose and plunger
See how every step looks — photo, checklist, and pro tips included.
02Cup plunger technique
Seal plunger over drain — wet rim. Cover sink overflow with wet rag (critical). Pump 15 vigorous strokes, check drain.
Shower: plunger over drain after removing cover. Tub: cover overflow plate with tape or rag.
Pro tip. Flange toilet plunger on flat sink — bad seal. Use cup plunger.
Full library access
Unlock every course
Subscribe for $9/month or $79/year — every category, every guide.
View plansFree tips from this course
Each tip has its own step photo — browse free, then unlock the full course.
More Home & DIY tips →
More in Home & DIY
Related courses with photographed steps — browse before you subscribe.
How Your Home Heating System Actually Works
Thermostat to vents — furnace, ducts, filter, and why some rooms stay cold
Hang Curtains So They Look Custom
Height and width rules, rod install, hang and steam — the Pinterest curtain look
Paint a Room in One Weekend
Prep, cut in, roll walls, clean edges — intentional results
How a Toilet Actually Works
Flapper, fill valve, siphon trap — the engineering behind every flush
Unlock Unclog a Sink or Shower Drain Yourself + the full library
$9/month · Cancel anytime · All courses included
Sign up to unlock