How to unblock a kitchen or bathroom sink

Before buying any instant drain unblocker products, which aren’t great for the environment, try this effective and easy method to unblocking drains using supplies you’ll already have at home.

Use vinegar, baking soda, and water for a super easy way of unblocking drains using household supplies.
The baking soda and hot water will loosen up any build-up that’s clogging your waste pipe, and the vinegar will cause the sludge to move on down the drain. It’s that easy!

• • Pour boiling water down your drain.

• • Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain and leave for 5 minutes

• • Add a mixture of 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup very hot water and leave for 10 minutes.

• • Pour one more pot of boiling water down the drain, which will flush the scum that has been loosened up by the baking soda and vinegar

You can use this method to unblock bath drain, shower drain and sink clogs.

Alternatively, you can purchase liquid cleaners from your local hardware store. These chemical solutions are often very effective, but can sometimes cause damage to pipes if they are old or worn down.

You’ll also need to ensure you rinse it out with hot water before taking a bath or shower. Take extreme caution and always read the instructions carefully.

How to unblock a toilet

Unblock a toilet using hot water

Using hot water is one of the simplest ways of eliminating partial blockages and should be your first port of call.

• Close the water supply at the valve. Pour a bucket of warm water into the pan from a height. Adding some washing up liquid can also help remove the blockage.

Unblock a toilet using a plunger

Plungers are highly effective provided the blockage is not solid.

Place a large toilet plunger over the opening and pump up and down. Gradually increase the force with which you push and pull, until the water starts to recede.

Using a drain snake to unblock a drain

If your plunger does not clear the blockage, try using a drain snake. A drain snake is a long, flexible piece of steel attached to a handle that is used to dislodge the build up that clogs pipes. You should be able to pick one up in your local hardware store.

Alternatively you could also unbend a wire coat hanger.

It works in the opposite way to a plunger, as instead of trying to flush the blockage out, you pull it out of the sink. Drain snakes are good for clearing clogs further down your drain.

• • Push the end into the drain opening

• • Turn the handle on the drum to feed the coiled-up snake down

• • Keep going until you feel resistance

• • Twist the snake until it moves more freely (it will either attach itself to the clog or breakthrough it)

• • Carefully pull out the snake and the blockage will come with it

• • Run water to check your sink now drains efficiently

  
  

I still can’t unblock my drain

If these easy home methods don’t solve the problem, the blockage may be hard to locate or require special tools to remove it.