Snake the drain with a manual auger

Feed a drain snake into the drain opening and push until you feel resistance. Rotate the handle clockwise to hook or break through the clog, then slowly pull the snake back out, bringing the debris with it. Run water to confirm the drain is clear.

Why It Works

The coiled tip of the snake physically grabs or breaks apart blockages that are too deep or solid for a plunger. Manual augers can reach 3-8 metres into a pipe, handling clogs well beyond the trap.

Tips

• Feed the cable slowly to avoid kinking or scratching the pipe interior
• Pull the snake out over a bucket or towel -- the debris can be messy
• A basic 5-metre hand auger handles most household clogs and costs under $20-30