Clear a blocked sink or drain safely

Use this guide when water drains slowly, gurgles or will not go down at all in a sink, bath, shower or outside drain. Have rubber gloves, a bucket, old towels, a plunger and a torch ready, and keep children and pets away from the area.

Step by step

1. Work out how far the problem goes

   Check whether only one sink is affected or several fittings are slow at once. A single slow sink usually means a local blockage in the trap or waste pipe. If toilets, sinks and outside drains are all backing up, the blockage is further down the drain and may need professional help.