Avoiding blockages

Blockages in the kitchen are usually caused by the build-up of fat and items like tea leaves. It is a good idea to clean waste with hot water and soda crystals at least once a month.

Please do not put nappies or other waste items into the toilet. Make sure that toilet fresheners or cleaners that fix onto the rim of the toilet pan are securely fastened so that they cannot fall and cause a blockage.

How to unblock a bath, basin or sink

If a waste pipe is not blocked but water is slow to drain away:

  • put a bowl under the trap
  • unscrew the joints and remove the trap
  • clean the trap thoroughly and replace it, checking that the seals are in place and all joints are screwed tightly.

If it is blocked completely:

  • empty out most of the water
  • hold a rag tightly above the overflow opening
  • put the plunger over the plughole
  • clean out the trap after clearing the blockage.

Never use acids to clear blockages; this causes damage and corrosion to the pipes 

How to unblock a toilet

If the pan is already full, remove some of the water into a bucket using a jug, bottle or bowl.

  • Push the brush or plunger to the bottom of the pan.
  • Pump it up and down vigorously about ten 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 several times before the toilet flushes normally.

If there is no improvement, please contact us.

If you have no water supply

If you are not getting water through the taps in your kitchen, please check if your neighbours are having the same problem.

If they are, check that the company supplying your water is not carrying out any maintenance works in the area before reporting it to us.

If your neighbours’ water supply is normal, contact us.