Here are the steps you can take to unclog a drain.

Step one:
You will need to try to break up the clog by plunging it with a "plumber's helper," also called a plunger. You will want to use one that has an elongated bell shape. The reason for this is that the bell folds up so that the plunger becomes flatter and cup-shaped for sinks and tubs. When using this type of plunger you want to make sure you have enough water in the fixture top cover the plunger

Step two:
If you are plunging a toilet, you will want to fill the toilet bowl about half full of water. Push the bell-shaped end of the plunger down into the drain. You want to make sure that you maintain a tight seal and rapidly pump the plunger inside the toilet bowl ten to twenty times. You want to use short rapid strokes. You will know if the drain unclogs because the water inside the bowl will drain rapidly.

Step three:
To plunge a sink or a tub you will want to first remove the strainer and pop-up. You will want to place a rag or a sponge into a plastic bag and use this to plug the overflow hole. Fill the sink or tub with enough water to cover the plunger's flat rubber cup. You will also want to fold the bell shape up inside the plunger. Plunge steadily up and down fifteen to twenty times. With the plunges, you will want to intersperse a few powerful pushes. The entire time you are plunging keep the plunger tightly sealed against the sink or tub.

Step four:
If plunging does not clear the drain, you will need to use an auger or a snake. You can use a drain auger, which is the one people are most familiar with or you can use a closet auger, which has a rigid end that is easier to push down a toilet.

Step five:
To use an auger you will need to push the cable into the drain while turning the auger's handle clockwise. You will want to keep the repositioning grip within a few inches of the entry point while you feed the snake into the drain.

Step six:
Once you feel the auger reach the blockage, you will want to keep turning the handle clockwise, but at the same time you want to pull back a bit. This will help to chew away and dislodge the blockage.

Step seven:
Push forward again after you have pulled back so that you can grind away at the blockage. Repeat this process until you can drive the auger through the blockage.

Step eight:
If possible you will want to pull the blockage back out through the pipe. If this happens the job will get messy so be sure to have a bucket and rags on hand. You want to pull the cable of the auger back through an old towel or heavy rag to clean it off.

Step nine:
If an auger or plunger do not work you can try to find a branch cleanout, which is a T fitting with a plug in one fork in the pipes. Place a bucket under the clean out and take the plug out slowly.

Step ten:
Run the drain auger through the branch pipe the same way you did to try to unclog the drain. If you cannot find the blockage, it might be located in the main waste and vent stack or in the sewer line.