When you suddenly have a drain you need to unblock it can cause panic, but not any more with these DIY methods you can easily try at home. 

We’ve all been there when we start to notice the sink draining slowly, or water pooling at your feet in the shower. Then comes some strange and unpleasant odours. These are signs of a blocked drain, which can put an end to your good day. You’ll want this to be sorted quickly so you can carry on with daily life. Metro Rod York  have put together this guide to show you what you can do yourself to unblock a sink, toilet or drain. 

It is important when dealing with a blocked sink or drain to keep yourself protected from any germs. We recommend always wearing long rubber gloves and some goggles and glasses as well as putting down some newspaper if dealing with a blocked toilet to protect your floors.

#1 Bent Wire Hanger

Take a regular wire coat hanger and straighten it out as much as you can, then using the hook end you can try fishing out the gunk causing the blocked sink and drain. Remember to be careful as you want to be pulling it out and not pushing it further in. When you’ve got as much out as you can, run the hot water and you should find its cleared up nicely.

#2 Baking Soda and Vinegar

One of the most common methods to help unblock a drain is using baking soda and vinegar. The two ingredients create a reaction with breaks down many different types of blockages to help get your drains flowing again. Pour about a cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by one cup of vinegar and one cup of water. It should start fizzing straight away, so plug the plughole and let it sit for about an hour. After an hour, pour boiling water down the drain to help flush it through, you should hopefully notice the sink draining much better.

#3 Plunger

A plunger is a very handy household tool as it is a reliable way of dislodging a number of blockages in your drains. Place the head of the plunger over the plughole or toilet hole making sure to cover the whole thing. Then begin to gently push and pull while maintaining the seal and this should loosen whatever is blocking the drain.

#4 Boiling Water

Boiling water is especially useful to help dislodge the build up of fat, oil and grease. By pouring boiling water down the drain you can soften the solidified mass of fat allowing it to be flushed through. It’s important to pour the boiling water slowly and in stages to allow the hot water to work properly. 

Metro Rod York offers services across York and the surrounding areas. Dealing with blocked drains, drain repair, CCTV surveys and septic tank maintenance. We believe in simple things and make sure we follow them through; available 24/7, professional, value for money service during and after the job and peace of mind in the fact that all our engineers are highly trained, DBS checked and fully insured.

Make sure you get in touch with us through any of the following:

Enquire through our website: click here

Get in touch with us via email: info.york@metrorod.co.uk 

Call us on 0808 208 2659

For any drainage needs, we are the drainage experts. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Talk to your local Metro Rod specialist

We are always happy to arrange a free site assessment and no obligation quotations for any work you might need. Alternatively, you can call our emergency hotline number on 0800 66 88 00

Get in touch Drainage Services