Most clogs are just 5–10cm down the drain — hair, soap scum, and grease that never needed Drano in the first place. Mechanical removal beats chemicals every time because it actually removes the clog instead of dissolving it partially and pushing it deeper.
For kitchen sinks with grease buildup: pour a full kettle of boiling water slowly down the drain in two or three stages, letting it work between pours. Do NOT do this with PVC pipes — use very hot tap water instead.
This works best on partial clogs and soap scum. It will not clear a fully packed hair clog.
A plastic drain snake (also called a hair clog remover or Zip-It tool) is a $5 flexible strip with barbs that grabs hair clogs instantly. This is the single most effective tool for bathroom sink and shower drains. Insert, twist, pull — the clog comes out whole. You will be shocked at what comes out.
Use a cup plunger for sinks/tubs, a flange plunger for toilets. Cover the overflow hole with a wet cloth first (this redirects pressure). Plunge with fast, firm strokes — 15–20 reps. The pressure dislodges the blockage rather than just pushing it.
If the above fail, a hand-crank drain auger (plumber's snake) reaches 5–15 metres into your pipes to break up or retrieve clogs beyond the trap.
If multiple drains are slow simultaneously, you likely have a main line blockage — this requires a professional hydro-jet or auger. DIY won't fix it.
Pro tip: For shower drains, the fastest long-term fix is a drain hair catcher — it sits over the drain and takes 2 seconds to clean. Prevents 90% of bathroom clogs permanently. Get one after you clear the current clog.
Essential. A flexible plastic strip with barbs — the fastest way to remove hair clogs from bathroom sinks and showers. Under $10 and reusable.
Essential for sinks and tubs. Flat cup plunger creates the seal you need on flat surfaces — different from a toilet plunger.
Essential for any plumbing job. Wraps around threaded connections to prevent leaks.
Seals gaps around drains and faucets. Stays flexible for years.
Essential if your toilet is clogged. The rubber flange fits inside the toilet drain to create a proper seal — a cup plunger won't work on toilets.
Reacts with baking soda to create pressurized fizz inside the pipe. Also deodorizes. Use plain white distilled vinegar, not apple cider.
You will want these when pulling out hair clogs with the snake tool. Disposable or reusable both work.
The one tool you need for most plumbing repairs. Get a 10-inch.
Catches water during repairs. Also useful for mixing, cleaning, carrying parts.
Used with vinegar for a chemical-free fizzing treatment that loosens soap scum and mild clogs. You likely already have this.
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