GETTA Help

How to unblock a sink safely

Start with visible debris and gentle, non-invasive measures. Stop if more than one fixture is affected, water is backing up elsewhere or previous attempts involved chemicals you cannot identify.

Remove only what is readily accessible

  • Take out food, hair or debris you can reach safely from the plug opening.
  • Clean a removable strainer or stopper according to its normal design.
  • Try a sink plunger only when the fitting is sound and any overflow can be covered safely.
  • Stop if joints leak or the fixture seems loose.

Be cautious with products

Never mix drain cleaners, bleach, acids, descalers or other chemicals. Dangerous heat, fumes or splashing can result. If a product has already been used, keep its container and tell anyone working on the drain exactly what went in.

Signs of a deeper problem

  • Several sinks or fixtures drain slowly
  • Water returns through another plughole
  • The blockage quickly comes back
  • There are persistent smells, gurgling or an external overflow
  • The blockage lies beyond accessible parts

When to call a plumber

Get help for repeated or multiple-fixture blockages, leaking waste pipes, an unknown chemical mixture, or water that will not drain. Avoid invasive rodding or dismantling concealed pipework without the right access and understanding.