Clogged Kitchen Sink or Shower Drain

Shower and tub clogs are usually hair and soap; pull them out with a plastic drain snake. Kitchen sink clogs are grease and food; clean the trap and snake the line. Avoid chemical cleaners. A plumber usually charges $100 to $300 to clear a sink or shower drain.

Typical pro cost

$100 to $300

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Urgency: Fix soon
DIY difficulty: Easy
Time to fix: 15 to 60 minutes
Prices: US typical range

Last reviewed September 2026

Your sewer line, house to street diagram — Your sewer line, house to street. Tap to enlarge.

Signs it's this problem

Water drains slowly or stands in the sink or tub
Gurgling sounds
Bad smell from the drain
Water backs up into the other side of a double sink

Common causes

Hair and soap scum

The main cause of shower and bathtub clogs.

Grease and food waste

Kitchen sink clogs build as grease cools and hardens in the pipe.

Full P-trap

Debris settles in the curved pipe under the sink.

Blocked vent

Causes slow drains and gurgling across several fixtures.

Main line problem

If several drains are slow at once, the clog is further down.

How to fix it, step by step

1
Remove the stopper or strainer and pull out visible hair and debris.
2
Use a plastic barbed drain stick for showers and tubs to hook out hair.
3
For kitchen sinks, place a bucket under the P-trap, unscrew the slip nuts, clean the trap and reinstall.
4
If the clog is past the trap, feed a 1/4-inch hand drain snake into the pipe and turn it to break up or pull back the clog.
5
Flush with hot tap water for a minute. For grease, follow with hot water and dish soap.
6
If several fixtures are slow or it keeps coming back, call a plumber.

Safety: Skip chemical drain openers. They can damage pipes and cause burns if they splash back while you or a plumber work on the drain.

Tools and materials

Plastic drain stick
Hand drain snake
Bucket
Channel-lock pliers
Rubber gloves

Approximate DIY cost: $5–$40

Call a pro when

Several drains are slow at the same time
The clog returns within weeks
Water backs up into a floor drain or tub when the washer runs

Clogged Kitchen Sink or Shower Drain cost

Typical US price ranges for professional work, including labor and materials
Job	Typical cost
Clear a sink or shower drain	$100–$300
Hydro-jetting a kitchen line	$300–$600
Replace a P-trap	$100–$250
Main line snaking	$150–$500

Ranges are typical US prices compiled by FixHomeCost. Prices vary by region, home and contractor, so compare 2–3 local quotes.

Common questions

Does baking soda and vinegar unclog drains?

It can freshen a drain and loosen very light buildup, but it rarely clears a real clog. A drain stick or snake works much better.

How do I keep a shower drain from clogging?

Use a hair catcher and clean it weekly. Flushing the drain with hot water helps move soap scum along.

Why does my kitchen sink keep clogging?

Grease and food waste going down the drain, a garbage disposal used without enough water, or a sagging drain pipe. Wipe greasy pans before washing.

Why does one side of my double sink back up into the other?

The clog is past the point where both sides join. Clear the trap or snake the shared drain line.

This is general information, not a professional inspection. See how we research costs.