Usually the problem is hair & soap curds caught in the stopper. Check first to be sure all the other drains in the house are working. If a regular rubber stopper is used, hair is probably hanging on the screen in the drain pipe just below the stopper. Take the screen out & clean it.

Next use a plunger which applies first pressure & then suction to the plugged drain. To provide the suction & pressure, smear a good layer of petroleum jelly on the edge of the rubber stopper. Plug the overflow w/ a wet rag so the air will not short circuit through the overflow pipe. Pump the plunger to loosen the stoppage. If this loosens the plug, rinse the drain w/ hot soapy water.

Plumbing Tools & Materials • plunger • rags • petroleum jelly

Difficulty: Beginner

Repair Time: 10min

Advice by Friendly Plumber ® • Take caution & perform this repair at your own risk. Sometimes, the blockage may get pushed down the pipe, costing more money to fix.

If the screen can't be removed & plunger doesn't seem to help, try removing the hair & trash. Take a piece of wire (a regular hair pin, bobby pin or thin coat hanger), put a very short bend on one end maybe 1/4" or less. If the piece of wire is very short, bend the other end so you can hold onto the wire & turn it w/out dropping it. Work the hair back out of the drain. This may take patience until it is all out.

After all the hair has been removed, flush several cups of hot water down the drain. This should allow the bowl to empty.