Complete knowledge library
Drain unblocking guides
Work from symptom to cause to method. This library helps you choose a product only after the blockage pattern makes sense, with safety limits and professional escalation built into every route.
Problems and symptoms
Start with the fixture, slow flow, smell, gurgling, backup or recurring blockage you can observe.
Blocked kitchen sink
Blocked kitchen sink: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideBlocked bathroom sink
Blocked bathroom sink: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideBlocked toilet
Blocked toilet: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideSlow-draining shower
Slow-draining shower: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideBlocked bath
Blocked bath: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideBlocked outside drain
Blocked outside drain: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideBlocked floor drain
Blocked floor drain: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideMultiple drains blocked
Multiple drains blocked: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideRecurring drain blockage
Recurring drain blockage: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideGurgling drains
Gurgling drains: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideDrain smell
Drain smell: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideWater backing up from a drain
Water backing up from a drain: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideOutside drain overflowing
Outside drain overflowing: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideToilet water rising
Toilet water rising: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideSink not draining
Sink not draining: likely causes, safe first checks, suitable product types and the signs that mean professional help is needed.
Read guideCauses of blocked drains
Compare everyday debris with deposits, roots and pipe defects.
Hair and soap build-up
Hair and soap build-up: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guideGrease, fat and oil blockages
Grease, fat and oil blockages: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guideFood-waste blockages
Food-waste blockages: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guideWipes and sanitary-product blockages
Wipes and sanitary-product blockages: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guideForeign objects in drains
Foreign objects in drains: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guideMineral scale in drain pipes
Mineral scale in drain pipes: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guideTree-root intrusion
Tree-root intrusion: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guideCollapsed drain pipe
Collapsed drain pipe: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guideDisplaced drain-pipe joints
Displaced drain-pipe joints: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guideConcrete, grout and building debris
Concrete, grout and building debris: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guidePoor drainage fall
Poor drainage fall: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guideFrozen drain pipes
Frozen drain pipes: recognise the signs, choose an appropriate clearance method and reduce the chance of another blockage.
Read guideDIY methods
Use plungers, traps, snakes, augers, rods, jetter hoses and labelled products correctly.
How to plunge a sink
How to plunge a sink: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideHow to plunge a toilet
How to plunge a toilet: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideHow to clean a sink trap
How to clean a sink trap: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideHow to use a drain snake
How to use a drain snake: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideHow to use a toilet auger
How to use a toilet auger: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideHow to use drain rods
How to use drain rods: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideHow to use a pressure-washer drain jetter
How to use a pressure-washer drain jetter: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideHow to remove hair from a drain
How to remove hair from a drain: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideHow to flush a drain line
How to flush a drain line: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideHow to use enzyme drain cleaner
How to use enzyme drain cleaner: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideHow to use liquid drain unblocker
How to use liquid drain unblocker: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideHow to use gel drain unblocker
How to use gel drain unblocker: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideWhen not to use chemical drain cleaner
When not to use chemical drain cleaner: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideBaking soda and vinegar for drains
Baking soda and vinegar for drains: equipment, suitability, step-by-step technique, limitations and safety checks.
Read guideSafety comes before clearance
Never mix drain cleaners, work in chemical-filled standing water or continue using water when sewage is backing up.