Helpful Plumbing Videos: How to Fix a Clogged Drain

Open the cabinet under the sink and clear out any items that may be stored there. You may want to remove the doors for easier access.
Put a bucket under the P-trap.
Using channel lock pliers, loosen the nuts holding the P-trap in place.
Check the P-trap to see if it is clogged. Remove any hair or debris.
Feed a 15-foot or 20-foot plumbing snake into the sewer line until you run into some resistance. Tighten the nut on the snake.
Twist the snake to clear the clogged area.
Retract the snake from the sewer line.
Replace the P-trap and tighten the nuts holding it in place.

Bob Cole's Tips

Using chemical drain cleaners like Drano is not advisable because they can settle in your pipes and cause corrosion. They may also damage certain surfaces or cause chemical burns if splashed on the skin. Never, ever combine two different types of drain cleaners— the result may be toxic chlorine gas.
When removing the P-trap, make sure you use the right tool for the job. Heavy wrenches may damage the plastic nuts found on PVC plumbing.

Please note that Cole Plumbing provides this information as a courtesy to the public and cannot be held responsible for any problems or issues that may be caused by do-it-yourself repairs. If you are uncomfortable working on your plumbing yourself, we strongly suggest that you contact a professional plumber and have them do it for you.