How to unblock a sink

Most common sink blockages can be cleared with a plunger, so try this first.

Lay newspaper on the floor and around the sink.

Block the overflow by stuffing it with a damp cloth to prevent a loss of pressure when you start plunging.

Place the plunger over the plug hole and push it down several times. This will force the water through the pipe and hopefully dislodge the blockage.

Repeat a couple of times and, hopefully, the water will start to drain away.

If this doesn’t work, you may need to clear the P-trap (the U shaped pipe underneath your sink).

This pipe is constantly full of water to prevent any nasty smells coming into your home. You will also find lodged debris and fibres from the sink, i.e. your blockage, inside.

Firstly, bale out as much water as possible and then plug the sink.

Position a bucket under the P-trap.

Unscrew the P-trap using your hands or a wrench and empty the contents into a bucket.

Re-screw the P-trap back into position. Don't screw it too tightly in case you need to repeat in the future.

Test the sink by running some water.

To finish, pour some bleach down the plug hole to clear away any remaining residue.