How to unclog a drain

STEP 1

Start by putting on your gloves and safety glasses.

STEP 2

Caution: The tip of the auger is sharp.

Safety glasses will protect your eyes from splashes if chemicals were used in an attempt to clean the drain earlier.

STEP 3

With a clogged bathroom sink, start by removing the pop-up drain plug.

STEP 4

Disconnect the lift arm and remove the lift mechanism from the drain pipe.

STEP 6

Release the cable lock.

Begin feeding the auger down the drain until you reach the clog or an obstruction like a sharp bend in the pipe.

STEP 7

When you meet some resistance, lock the cable.

STEP 8

Rotate the auger clockwise, while applying pressure on the cable.

Take your time – the auger bit has to travel through bends in the pipe to reach the clog.

STEP 9

Once the auger is moving easily, release more cable.

You can then lock it and begin rotating the auger and applying pressure to reach the clog.

STEP 10

As the auger reaches the clog, keep rotating the auger and applying pressure to clear the clog.

STEP 11

Once the clog has been cleared, release the lock and retrieve the cable.

STEP 12

Clean the auger tip.

Be careful of splashes in case there is drain cleaning fluid in the clog.

STEP 13

Re-install the pop-up stopper.