pre-empt the problem.
Prevent clogs before they happen. Place a strainer over bathroom (and kitchen) drains to prevent hair, pieces of soap and other debris from creating clogs. Clean your strainer as needed, at least weekly. Also, once a week, remove the pop-up stoppers in your sink and tub and rinse clean.
tweeze, plunge and then snake.
If the water flow is truly clogged, your first step is to pull out the drain stopper and see if food or a wad of hair or soap is blocking the drain. If so, pull it out wearing plastic gloves and/or use a tweezer. If that doesn’t work, try a plunger and then a plumber’s snake (you can fashion one from a coat hanger).
clean your trap.
The bent tube, or trap, underneath your sink prevents odors from seeping up into your sink. Over time, the trap collects debris and causes blockages. To clean, place a bucket underneath to collect water; then release the cleaning eye with a wrench. (You may have to remove the whole trap by unscrewing the tube at the bottom and top.) Let the contents drain into the bucket and use a bent pipe cleaner to probe the section of the waste pipe beyond the trap. Refit the trap and run some hot water in the sink to rinse out any remaining grime.
rely on good products.
With its granular formula and aluminum chips,
Drano® Max Gel Clog Remover is the best product for cutting through clogs with standing water. It clings to the clog longer and cuts through hair, soap scum and other bathroom culprits within minutes. A little goes a long way, but do your plunging first. Never, ever plunge during or after using a
Drano® product because the product can splash back from the drain. If the problem persists, call your plumber.