While blocked drains may seem like a minor inconvenience, if left unattended, they can lead to more significant and potentially costly issues further down the line. 

What problems can a blocked drain lead to?

Blocked drains can lead to a range of problems of varying severity. As well as being an annoyance, slow or non-draining water can harm your health. Stagnant water can be a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria and mould, and can attract pests such as rats and insects. 

Poor drainage can also lead to leaks and flooding, potentially causing structural damage to your home. In some cases, this can become an electrical hazard should the water reach an electrical outlet, causing a short or even a fire. 

What are the signs of a blocked drain?

There are several tell-tale signs that a drain may be blocked. This includes water taking longer than usual to drain from your sink, shower, bath or toilet, or the emergence of foul smells.

Other things to look and listen out for are gurgling sounds coming from the drain, raised water levels and water resurfacing from drainage points. 

Common causes of drain blockage

Different areas of the home are susceptible to different kinds of blockages. For example, bath and shower drains often get clogged up with clumped hair, while wet wipes and sanitary products are a risk to toilets. 

In the kitchen, sinks often become blocked by fat, oil and grease, or things like coffee grounds and flour. Outside, build-ups of leaves and twigs often cause jams in gutters and drains, and in some cases, tree roots can grow into obstructions. 

How can I fix a blocked drain?

Tackling a blocked drain is the kind of household task that most people can take on themselves. 

First of all, though, there are a number of simple preventive measures that can be taken to stop blockages happening, including: 

  • Not pouring grease and food debris down a kitchen sink
  • Regularly treating drains with an unblocking solution
  • Only flushing toilet paper
  • Using sink guards to filter solid materials

However, when a blockage does occur, below are a few steps that you can take to tackle them yourself. 

  • Dislodge debris using a plunger.
  • For less stubborn blockages, pouring boiling water down the drain can be enough to dislodge it.
  • Use a chemical drain unblocker — be sure to closely follow the safety instructions on the package as these can contain hazardous ingredients.
  • Mix one-third cup of baking soda and one-third cup of vinegar, when it begins to fizz, pour it down the sink. Leave to sit for at least one hour before rinsing with hot water.
  • Use a store-bought drain snake — gently push the tool into the drain and rotate until you can feel the blockage loosen. Repeat the process if necessary. 
  • In some cases, you may have to remove the waste trap, usually located below the sink.  Before doing this, lay down towels and a bucket underneath the pipe. Once removed, clear it by hand, rinse, disinfect then reattach. Once refitted, run water to check there are no leaks. 

It’s worth noting that some home solutions, like baking soda and vinegar, might affect the finish of paintwork and furnishings.

What other DIY plumbing jobs can I tackle myself?

Being able to tackle simple plumbing jobs, such as a blocked drain, can be a great way of saving money and completing jobs much faster than relying on a qualified tradesperson. Other similar jobs that homeowners can complete themselves include things like replacing bathroom sealant, regrouting tiles and repairing broken pipes. 


A short Introductory Plumbing course can be a great way for anyone to learn these sorts of basic skills, providing the skills and knowledge to confidently carry out such work