Do you know how to unclog a drain using a plunger? It is pretty easy. Plungers need to be able to seat and generate pressure on the clog. In some situations there are places the pressure can lost. A double bowl sink or a bathtub drain would be examples. When using a plunger you need to stop up any openings the might allow the pressure to vent. Put the stopper in the other sink or use a rag to close off the bathtub overflow.

Make sure there is enough water to cover the plunger. You want the plunger to seat over the drain. Is there another opening that needs blocked off? Hold the stopper or a rag in place or have someone else hold it. Plunge vigorously several times.

Check to see if the water is draining down. Careful, don't run too much water until you are sure it is draining. Still clogged? Double check to make sure you are seated around the drain. Block off any other openings. You can usually tell when another drain is connected, by the venting or bubbling of the water. Try again, sometimes it takes several tries.

Hopefully the clog has broken free and the water is draining down. You tried several times and it is stilled clogged? You will have to take more drastic action. See the steps below. Congratulations if your drain is working. Learning how to unclog a drain has been a rewarding experience.

Kitchen Sinks

Kitchen sinks usually have two bowls. This makes plunging a kitchen sink little problematic. The extra pipe and the second sink tend to diffuse the pressure the plunger develops. It will still work for some clogs, but it is less effective on tougher ones.

A plunger needs to develop pressure to work. If you plunge one side of a kitchen sink the pressure pushes out the other drain and the clog is unaffected. You have to hold the stopper in place on the other side. The better you stop up the other sink, the better your chances are.

Make sure there is enough water to cover the plunger. Hold the stopper in place or have someone else hold it. Make sure the plunger is seated firmly around the drain. Plunge vigorously several times. Hopefully the clog has broken free and the water is draining down. If you answered yes you have successfully dealt with a clogged kitchen sink drain.

Still clogged? Check and see if you have the other sink sealed good. Make sure the plunger is seated firmly on the flange. Give it one more try. Still no good? You will need to bring in the big guns, read on.