How to unblock a drain

1. Work out which drain is blocked

Check whether the problem is only one sink, shower, bath, or outside drain. If just one fixture is slow, the blockage is probably close to that outlet.

If several drains are slow at the same time, or water is coming back up somewhere else, stop and get it checked. That can point to a bigger waste pipe or outside drainage issue.

2. Clear the obvious debris first

For a sink, shower, or bath, remove any loose hair, soap, food, or grit from the plughole. Wear gloves. Not glamorous, granted, but it often does the job.

For an outside drain, clear leaves, mud, and loose rubbish from the grate. Do not push debris further down the drain, as that can make the blockage worse.

3. Try hot water for grease and soap build-up

For kitchen sinks, pour a kettle of hot water slowly down the plughole if the pipework is suitable and there is no standing water. This can help soften grease and soap residue.

Avoid boiling water on delicate plastic fittings or cracked ceramic. If you are not sure, use very hot tap water instead.

4. Use a plunger carefully

A basic plunger can shift a small blockage. Add enough water to cover the plunger cup, seal it over the plughole, and use steady pushes rather than frantic pumping.

If there is an overflow, cover it with a damp cloth so the pressure goes into the waste pipe. If the water starts draining, flush it through with warm water afterwards.

5. Avoid mixing drain chemicals

Do not mix different drain cleaners, bleach, vinegar, or other chemicals. That can create fumes and damage pipes. If a chemical cleaner has already been used, tell anyone who works on the drain afterwards.

To be fair, strong drain chemicals can be more trouble than they are worth on older pipework. A physical clear-out is often safer.

6. Check the trap if it is safe to reach

For a sink with an accessible trap underneath, place a bowl and towel below it before loosening anything. Traps often collect food, grease, small objects, and general gunk.

If the fittings are stiff, leaking, awkward, or boxed in, do not force them. A small drip under a sink can turn into a bigger nuisance quickly.

7. Know when to stop

Call for help if the drain smells strongly, keeps blocking, overflows outside, has sewage backing up, or affects several fixtures at once. The same goes if water is near electrics or you cannot see what you are doing.

When to ask for help

Richard can advise on small household maintenance jobs and simple checks around the home. For deep underground blockages, sewage, or repeated outside drain problems, a drainage specialist may be the right call.