Please be aware that the following content is for information only and gives guidance in how to clear a drainage blockage your self. Please ensure you use the correct tools and are wearing the protective clothing as indicated before attempting any of these instructions.
Plunger
Using a good quality plunger place the plunger end over the plug hole. Gently press and pull the plunger while keeping the rubber end in contact with the surface around the drain hole. The trick is for the plunger to push water down in to the plug hole which can sometimes dislodge a blockage.
Chemical blockage dissolving fluid
If using a plunger doesn’t work then you can try pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, house hold bleach or some drain clearing solution down the drain which can be bought from your local super market. Which ever chemical you choose to use be sure to wear gloves and protective eye wear as most of these substances can cause severe irritation if they come in to contact with the skin or eyes. Also carefully read and follow all instructions printed on the fluid container before proceeding.
First you’ll need to empty your sink of water using something like a ladle. Once the water line is nearer to the waste water outlet you can try pouring in the solution. After a while as directed in the fluid manufacturer instructions the blockage may clear and the rest of the water will drain away. If not you can try using the plunger again how ever do this very carefully ensuring not to splash the unblocking agent.
Coat Hanger Wire
Using a pair of gardening gloves and while wearing eye protection straighten a coat hanger so you create one fairly straight length of wire. Then with a pair of pliers create a small hook at one end. To attempt to unblock the sink push the hook end of the wire down the side of the drainage hole. Once the wire doesn’t go down the waste hole any further twist the wire to guide the hook to be in the center of the waste pipe then slowly pull it up. If successful you’ll feel the wire snag debris such as hair which may then enable you to pull out the blockage.
Waste trap removal
If using a plunger or applying the coat hanger trick doesn’t work then try removing the waste section from under the sink to clear it out. To do this you’ll need to remove everything from the cupboard below and place a large washing up bucket under this section of waste pipe. By hand or with an adjustable wrench gently grip and slowly undo the collar directly under the sink and catch the waste water left in the sink in to a bucket (take note of the parts and seals as they come apart so you know how to replace them after).
After this undo the collar on the opposite side of the ‘U’ bend to entirely remove the ‘U’ bend section. Empty the water from this in to the bucket and take apart the ‘U’ bend by undoing the remaining collars. Now you can inspect this section closely to see if it’s blocked. If it is blocked then you can use an old tooth brush to clear the blockage out. Dispose of the removed waste and thoroughly clean the remaining pipe so as to avoid another blockage forming quickly.
Once this is done re-assemble the ‘U’ bend section and re-affix it in place as it was before. Don’t forget to run water through it to check you’ve re-assembled it properly and that it doesn’t leak.
If this ‘U’ bend section of the pipe is not blocked then the block is likely to be further down the pipe. You can try the coat hanger wire trick again but this time further down the exposed pipe after you’ve removed the ‘U’ bend.
Block not cleared
If none of these trick work then it’s likely you’ll need a drainage engineer to tackle the problem. If so re-connect the waste pipe as it was before and give us a call for a free quotation. We can be with you within one hour to solve the problem.