Slow drain? What to try first, and what to skip

Most slow drains are a clog close to the fixture: hair in the tub, grease and food in the kitchen sink. You can often clear them yourself.

Try these first

• Pull the stopper and clean out the hair and gunk underneath.
• Use a cup plunger on sinks and tubs. Cover the overflow hole with a wet rag so the plunger has pressure.
• Pour a kettle of hot (not boiling) water down a greasy kitchen drain.

Skip the chemicals

Liquid drain cleaners rarely clear a real clog, they can damage older pipes, and they make the job dangerous for whoever comes next.

When to call

If more than one drain is slow, toilets gurgle, or water backs up into a tub when you flush, the clog is in the main line. That one needs a plumber.