/ Unblock Guide

Clear the clog yourself, the right way.

Most household blockages are the same handful of problems with the same simple fixes. Work out what you're dealing with, reach for the right tool, and clear it in minutes — mechanically or with enzymes, never with harsh chemicals.

First: diagnose before you act

A clog tells you a lot before you touch it. Is the water slow or fully stopped? Is it one fixture or several? A single slow sink usually means a local blockage near the trap. Several backed-up fixtures at once can point to something deeper in the line — which is your cue to stop and call a licensed plumber rather than push harder.

When you can, look first. A Pipe Inspection Mirror & Light lets you see behind the trap and around bends before you commit to a method, and a Telescopic Grabber Tool can retrieve a dropped item without taking anything apart.

The golden rule: start gentle, escalate slowly, and stop if it isn't working.

After — clear flow — Slow bathroom drain → clear flow, mechanical clearing only

Before — blocked drain — Slow bathroom drain → clear flow, mechanical clearing only

Kitchen sink — grease & food buildup

Kitchen clogs are almost always grease, fat and food residue lining the pipe until water can't get past. Skip the boiling-kettle folklore on a full blockage — start with a proper seal and mechanical force.

Clear standing water down to a few centimetres so the plunger can work.
Form a tight seal with a Heavy-Duty Sink Plunger and work a firm push-pull stroke. Block the overflow first so you don't lose pressure.
Still slow? Feed a Manual Drain Auger 5m into the line, crank to break up the blockage, then flush with hot water.
Keep it clear afterwards with the Enzyme Drain Cleaner Powder — its enzyme cultures digest organic residue between deep cleans. Prevent the next one with Grease Trap Mesh Filters.

Bathroom — hair & soap clogs

Showers and basins clog with hair bound up in soap scum, usually right near the drain opening — which makes them some of the easiest clogs to clear without disassembly.

Slide a Zip-It Drain Snake or a Flexible Drain Cleaning Stick in, catch the hair on the barbs and pull it straight out.
For a deeper basin clog, switch to the sink plunger or the manual auger.
Prevent the repeat with a Hair Catcher Set in every drain and a Bathtub Overflow Cover.

Toilet — restoring the trap seal

A toilet needs a flange-style cup to seal the curved trap properly. A flat sink plunger won't do it.

Use a Toilet Plunger & Holder: seat the flange into the trap, then push and pull with steady force — let the water do the work, not splashing.
For a stubborn blockage, a Drain Plunger Air Blaster delivers a single controlled burst of air to shift it.
If the bowl is at risk of overflowing, stop, close the supply valve and wait for the level to drop before trying again.

Outdoor — gullies & rainwater drains

Outdoor gullies block with leaves, silt and garden debris, especially after autumn and heavy rain. This is dirty but simple, mechanical work.

Lift the grate and clear visible debris by hand (gloves on).
Use the Outdoor Gully Cleaning Kit — scoop the silt, brush the chamber and claw out the rest. Gloves are included.
Flush through with a hose and replace the grate. Repeat seasonally to stay ahead of it.

Stay safe — and know when to stop

Use only mechanical tools and enzyme-based maintenance products. Do not pour acid- or alkali-based drain products down your pipes — they can damage plumbing, harm you and make the situation worse. Keep tools and the enzyme powder out of reach of children (P102) and never ingest the powder. Handle augers and cables with care to avoid sharp edges. Never use any tool on pressurised lines, gas or electrical systems.

When to call a licensed plumber

If several fixtures back up at once, if water rises in an unexpected place, if there's a sewage smell, or if a clog won't shift after a reasonable, gentle effort — stop and call a qualified professional. Our products are consumer tools, not a substitute for a licensed plumber.

Not sure where to start?

The Complete Unblock Master Kit bundles the four tools that handle most household clogs.

See the Master Kit →