You can clear many blocked drains yourself, although some need an engineer. Start with the gentlest method and work up. This guide explains what to try, what to avoid and when to stop.

Find out where the blockage is

Check which fixtures are slow before you pick a method. If only one sink drains badly, the blockage is probably in its own pipe. However, if several fixtures are slow, the fault is likely further along the drain. That makes DIY less likely to work, so read clearing a blocked drain: the North London guide to plan your next move.

Methods you can try at home

Begin with hot water and a little washing-up liquid, since grease is a common cause. Pour it in slowly, then wait a few minutes. A plunger comes next, and it works best on sinks and toilets where there is a sealed bowl. Press down firmly and pump several times.

If that fails, a drain rod or a plastic drain snake can reach further. Feed it in gently, because a hard push can damage the pipe. For toilets, the best way to unblock a toilet without a plumber explains the safe steps. Other options appear in methods to unblock clogged drains.

What to avoid

Harsh drain chemicals are tempting, yet they carry risks. They can damage old pipes, and they are dangerous if they splash. Moreover, they often fail on a solid blockage, so the water stays put and the chemicals sit in it. Never mix products, and never use them before calling an engineer, because the engineer then has to work around them.

Why drains block in the first place

Most blockages come from fat, hair, wipes and other waste. Things that get stuck down the drain lists the usual culprits. Causes and prevention of blocked drainage explains the pattern behind repeat problems. Because prevention is cheaper than repair, how to keep a drain clear of blockage is worth a read.

When to call a professional

Ask for help when your own attempts fail, because repeated forcing can push the blockage deeper. The same goes for a drain that blocks again within days, or one that backs up into a bath. In that case, bathtub drain backing up explains the likely causes. An engineer can use high-pressure water or rods to clear the pipe, and then check it. For a sewage pipe, how to unblock a sewage drain shows what the work involves.

Our blocked sinks page covers kitchen and basin drains. While prices vary, we offer a 24/7 emergency call-out with no call-out fee, and a fixed price agreed before work starts. Use the online enquiry form to get in touch.

Keeping the drain clear afterwards

Once the water runs freely, build a routine. Flush a kettle of hot water down the kitchen sink now and then, and use strainers. How often drains should be cleaned helps you plan regular care. Still, a drain that keeps blocking needs a closer look, because the pipe itself may be damaged.

Help in North London

Although we are based in Enfield, we clear blocked drains across the area, and that includes drain clearance in Edgware, drain unblocking in Wembley and drain unblocking in Cheshunt.