How to unclog a sink

If you're stuck with a blocked sink, it's not always obvious what the best approach is. Luckily, we're here to tell you exactly what to do to unclog it.

Just follow these 12 simple steps to get your water flowing freely again.

 

1. Make sure you come prepared

Before you start to tackle your clogged sink, you'll need: protective glasses and gloves, a dish cloth, some baking soda, white vinegar, soda crystals, and a washing-up bowl or bucket. And, of course, a plunger.

2. Clean out the plughole

First, you'll need to unscrew the plug. Next, have a good look in the plughole and clean out any bits of debris or grime that might be stuck in the plughole.

3. Seal up the plughole

Make sure the plughole is covered in water so you'll have an airtight seal for the plunger.

4. Block up the overflow

Use the dish cloth to plug up the overflow – again, making sure you've got an airtight seal.

5. Bring the plunger out

Place the plunger over the plughole so that it covers it, and then gently push the plunger up and down. You might need to hold the dish cloth tightly against the overflow to ensure a good seal.

6. Add a little baking soda and vinegar

Hopefully, a little plunging has managed to clear the blocked sink. But if it hasn't, you can try pouring a small amount of baking soda down the plughole, followed by a cup of white vinegar.

7. Flush through with hot water

You should be able to see or hear some fizzing as the baking soda and vinegar work to break down debris and grime. After a few minutes, you can simply wash the mixture through the drain with some hot water from the tap.

8. Try using some soda crystals

Alternatively, you can dissolve half a packet of soda crystals into some boiling water, and then pour this solution down the plughole to help remove any fats, grease or soap residues that might have built up.

9. Find the U-bend

If you're really unlucky, and you've got a particularly stubborn blocked sink, you can try to remove and clean out the U-bend. Just look for the first bend in the pipe underneath the sink.

10. Get a bucket ready

Place a washing-up bowl or a bucket underneath the U-bend, ready to catch any water that spills out.

11. Loosen the U-bend

Carefully unscrew the plastic fitting where the U-bend joins the bottom of the sink. Once you see water start to drip out, stop unscrewing and let all of the water drain into the bucket.

12. Inspect the U-bend

Once the water stops draining out, you can remove the U-bend completely and take a look inside. Pull out any objects or built-up debris that you can find, and then reattach the clean U-bend to the bottom of the sink.

If you've followed these steps carefully, you should now know how to unclog a sink yourself. But if you're still having problems, or you're not comfortable following these steps, just get in touch with one of our engineers – they'll be more than happy to come and take a look at the blocked sink for you.