Clearing a blocked waste
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General advice
- Blockages are usually caused by the build-up of waste in the trap: fat, tea leaves, hair etc. It is advisable to clear wastepipes and traps at least once a month, preferably with a suitable product available from DIY stores.
- The trap is located under the fitting (bath, basin or sink).
- The trap always holds some water which stops air or foul smells coming up the drain. However, waste can build up and become stuck in it.
- If more than one fitting (bath, basin or sink) is blocked, the blockage may be in the soil stack or main drain. This will need to be cleared by us. Contact us.
What to do
You need:
- bowl
- jug or cup
- wet rag or dishcloth
- plunger, and
- rubber gloves.
To unblock a bath, basin or sink:
- bale out most of the water
- hold the rag tightly over the overflow opening
- place the plunger over the plug hole and pump up and down rapidly.
To unblock a toilet:
- if the pan is already full, remove some of the water into a bucket using some form of scoop, eg a jug or bowl
- push the brush or plunger to the bottom of the pan
- pump it up and down vigorously about 10 times. This creates a vacuum and pressure which may shift the blockage
- flush the toilet to see whether the blockage has gone
- you may need to repeat this process several times before the toilet flushes normally. If there is no improvement after a couple of attempts you should contact us.
Thoroughly wash your hands and all equipment after you have finished.
