Before you call a plumber to fix a clogged drain, here are a few things you might try yourself. The most common problems are with sink, tub, or shower drains, and with plugged toilets.
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Make sure that you have the problem is a local one. If all your drains are running slowly, you may have a greater problem in the drain system leading away from your home. Home plumbing systems are vented. If the vent is blocked, the drains cannot flow properly. Check that yourself or call on a pro.
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If it is a sink, tub, or shower drain problem, check the strainer or other cover on the drain. Try to remove any solid material you find, such as hair in a tub or shower drain, or kitchen waste in a kitchen sink drain.
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Then move on to the sink plunger. Start slowly, then gradually pick up the pace. If the first part of the drain isn’t where the issue is found, suspect the trap. It’s a U or P shaped section right below the sink. Its purpose is to block possibly toxic gases from returning into your home through the drain system. It may be possible for you to remove it yourself and clear a blockage in it, or you can try the snake. You can buy them in home supply stores quite reasonably. You feed the snake into the drain and turn the handle, or there are models that connect to an electric drill. There may be access points beyond the sink. Look for them, and try the auger there.
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Any attempt to clear a blocked toilet usually starts with a plunger. The toilet plunger is the one with the extended collar on it. As with the sink drain, it is best to start the plunging action gently, and progress to more vigorous efforts if that doesn’t work.
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After the plunging effort comes the snake. If the blockage is in the toilet or near it, as is usual, the auger may clear the block.
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These steps will take care of many household drain blockages. If not, you might want to get that clogged drain looked at by a professional plumber.