A blocked sink drains slowly or not at all. In a kitchen, grease and food scraps cause most blocks, while in a bathroom hair, soap and toothpaste do the same job. Both kinds build up over weeks, so the sink often slows long before it stops.
Grease is the usual culprit in kitchens because it cools and sets inside the pipe. Over time it narrows the pipe until water cannot pass. Wiping greasy pans with paper before you wash them helps a great deal.
A sink that keeps blocking may share a pipe with other fixtures. Read the guide to internal drain unblocking if more than one fixture is slow. A blocked toilet in the same house can point to the same shared pipe, although not every time.
Kitchen sinks block with grease and food, while bathroom basins block with hair, soap and toothpaste. The cause decides the fix, so say which sink you mean. A kitchen block often feels greasy, whereas a basin block feels like a plug of hair.
Both kinds share a trap, which is a short pipe bend under the sink. The trap holds a little water to stop smells rising. It also catches debris, which is why cleaning it often solves the problem.
Most jobs begin under the sink, where the trap collects food and grease. Taking the trap apart often finds the block, while a bucket catches the dirty water. This simple step costs little, so it makes sense to try it first.
If the trap is clean, the block sits further along the waste pipe. A plunger or a small auger can reach it, although these tools suit only blocks within a few metres. Longer blocks need other equipment.
Hot water helps move loose grease along. However, it will not shift a solid block, so a water jet may be used for build-up. Ask which method the engineer plans to use.
If a basin or a bath also drains badly, the block is likely in a shared pipe. In that case, the underground drain needs a look as well, since it carries the waste of every fixture. Tell the engineer about every slow fixture.
The engineer who takes your job runs a separate business, so the engineer sets the price, the arrival time and any guarantee. Use these questions to compare quotes, since answers differ from one engineer to the next. Write the answers down, because a written note helps if the job changes.
The guides checked for this page do not price sinks on their own. However, guides for general drain clearing give a rough idea. MyJobQuote lists drain cleaning at £80 to £100 and rodding at £80 to £145, while Book A Builder gives £80 to £150 for basic unblocking.
These are not Dundee quotes. A simple trap clean may cost less, yet a block deep in the pipe may cost more. Ask for the price in writing before work starts.
Grease and food scraps are the usual cause, since fat sets inside the pipe and traps more waste each time. A sink strainer helps, and so does wiping greasy pans with paper before washing. If the sink still blocks, ask for the pipe to be cleaned along its length.
They sometimes ease a minor block, although they rarely clear a solid one. Strong products can be harsh on old pipes and seals. For a stubborn block, mechanical clearing is a safer choice.
Yes. If the sink shares a pipe with other fixtures, a block in the shared part can slow them all. In particular, when two or more fixtures drain badly, the block is probably in the shared or underground pipe. Tell the engineer which fixtures are slow.
Keep fat, oil and food scraps out of the sink. Fit a strainer over the plughole and empty it often, while a weekly flush with hot water helps move loose grease along. These habits cost little and slow the build-up.