Basins etc.

Drain pipes

Toilets

Washing machines

Tools

Tips and Tricks

Basins, baths and sinks

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Manual clearing
A partial blockage can often be cured by placing the palm of the hand over the outlet while there is still water in the basin. Keep it there for a few minutes. This will create a partial vacuum and when the hand is removed the rush of water from the basin will flush the blockage away. The overflow hole in basins and baths must be closed by pushing a rag into it. Should this not help, a plunger may be obtained from your nearest hardware store. To obtain a better vacuum, smear some Vaseline on the bottom of the plunger. Place plunger over the drain hole and pump vigorously up and down.

If this not successful the P-trap under the basin might have to be cleared. This can be done with a flexible drain cleaner.  Insert the drain cleaner through the centre hole of the outlet and with a clockwise rotation push it as far as it will go. Sometimes a length of flexible curtain wire might also be used. Should this not clear the obstruction the P-trap under the basin might have to be cleared manually. In older buildings P-traps were made of lead. These have a small brass plug inserted at the very bottom. After placing a receptacle under the plug, unscrew it with a pair of pliers. (These plugs have a square ridge on top for this purpose). You may have to fiddle around with the drain cleaner or curtain wire to loosen the obstruction.

In newer buildings P-traps are made of plastic. If the trap does not have a bulbous part to squeeze, simply squeeze the lowest part to clear the obstruction.

The next place to find an obstruction is outside the building. Where the drainpipe comes through the wall from the basin an elbow with an inspection plug can be found. Unscrew this plug and with the drain cleaner clear the pipe in both directions.

Chemical clearing
Caustic soda has long been used to clear blocked drains but many better, liquid drain cleaners are now on the market. Be extremely careful when using these as they damage stainless steel and hands and faces. It is best to push a flexible pipe into the drain as far as possible, attach a small funnel to this and pour the drain cleaner into the funnel to deliver the chemical as close as possible to the blockage.

WARNING:
Never use a liquid cleaner in drains you have unsuccessfully tried to open with caustic soda. One is an acid and the other an alkaline. The combination causes a violent chemical reaction!

Toilets

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Use a plunger with a metal plate above the rubber cup. The plate prevents the rubber cup from turning inside out. As there is no flat surface the plunger should be vigorously moved up and down, at the same time ensuring that the metal plate does not damage the toilet bowl. Flush the cistern to refill the toilet trap. If the plunger does not clear the obstruction you will have to call a plumber.

If the cistern is fitted with a Kleenflo valve and is not letting in water it is possible that the sieve in the valve is blocked.
Turn off the water supply.
Unscrew the valve and clean the sieve.

Washing machines

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Should the machine not let in water the sieve at the inlet to the machine may be blocked. Unscrew the pipe and clean the sieve.
If the machine will not let out the water, follow the manufacturer’s instruction to clean the drain filter.

 

Drain pipes

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Close to the toilet or any other gulley, and sometimes at regular intervals you will find a small manhole cover. Raising this you will be able to access the underground drainpipe to check where the blockage is. These pipes are best cleared with a set of drain rods. These can often be hired from tool hire companies and hardware stores. Fit the rod with a corkscrew attachment and feed it in the access elbow or other access point turning the rods clockwise. Withdraw the rods pulling them straight out to remove whatever obstructed the pipe. This may have to be done a few times to clear the drainpipe completely. Finalise the operation by fitting a rubber plunger to the rods and cleaning the pipe.

Tools mentioned on this page

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1. Gas or waterpump pliers
2. Plunger
3. Flexible drain cleaner or length of curtain wire
4. Drain rod set

. (See Plumbers tools)

Tips and tricks

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In an emergency a drain blockage can sometimes be partially cleared by pushing the garden hose into the drainpipe. Turn the tap on and if you can fit a pressure nozzle to the front of the hose, so much the better.