Please therefore ensure that you never dispose of food matter down the plughole, no matter how small the amount. You can also maintain your drain by regularly using a chemical drain cleaner, remembering to carefully follow the instructions on the label.
Using a plunger is the easiest method of dislodging debris. You may also unscrew the trap to the sink but this involves more skill and effort.
- Block the overflow for the sink with some wet tissue, creating a vacuum effect (this stops the air being forced down the sink simply escaping through the overflow).
- With some water in the sink, place a plunger over the sink waste, ensuring that the rubber cup is fully submerged (the presence of the water helps to provide a seal).
- Push the plunger down quite a few times with both hands to force water through the pipe work, thereby dislodging the blockage.
How to unblock a toilet
Never put anything down the toilet except human waste and toilet tissue (this includes wet wipes)!
Another common cause of blockages is a dislodged toilet rim freshener. If you use these products, check to see if it has fallen down the U-bend prior to plunging. In any case, do not continue to flush as the bowl will simply overflow.
- You need to force water down the trap with a plunger using both hands. Ensure that the water in the toilet bowl is pushed at force in order to clear the blockage.
- If this doesn’t work, run some water down the sink or bath. If the toilet does not drain the blockage is probably further down the soil pipe, and a drain rod will be required.
In all circumstances, prevention is better than cure, so please ensure that you use sinks and toilets responsibly, as outlined above.
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