IQHab › United States › Plumbing › Clogged Drain — How to Unclog
Clogged drain
Slow or blocked drains are common and often fixable at home. Here's what to try and when to call a pro.
Before anything — check these
If any of these are true, stop and get professional help now:
- Multiple drains slow
- Sewage smell
- Water backing up
Safe checks you can do
Tick what you've checked. Only do homeowner-safe actions.
Likely causes
| Cause | Likelihood | Severity | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grease or soap buildup | high | Low | $0–$50 |
| Hair or food debris | high | Low | $0–$50 |
| Foreign objects | medium | Low | $50–$200 |
| Pipe scale or root intrusion | low | High | $200–$1,500 |
Recommended next action
A plunger or drain snake clears most clogs. If multiple drains are affected or water backs up, call a plumber.
Plan the fix
Once you know roughly what's wrong, size the job and get a cost range:
Plumbing Repair Estimator