My pipes are blocked. What should I do and how can I avoid this happening again?

Avoiding blockages

Flushing objects, waste or substances down the toilet or drain often cause blockages. This includes:

• nappies
• baby wipes
• cooking fat
• sanitary towels
• paper
• toys
• air fresheners

IMPORTANT: You may be charged for the work if we clear a blockage caused by any of these objects.

General advice

Blockages to waste pipes are usually caused by a build-up of fat, grease, tea-leaves, or hair in the waste trap.

The trap is located underneath the basin, sink or bath and it always holds some water. This stops air or foul smells coming up the drain, however, waste material can build up and cause a blockage. Traps can easily be unblocked by unscrewing the joint and cleaning them out. Before you unscrew the trap, place a bucket underneath to catch any water.

To keep your wastes flowing freely, regularly pour a kettle of boiling water down them to clear any fat or grease that may have built up. Please do this carefully to avoid injury from the boiling water.

If you do try to clear waste pipes and traps, use a suitable product available from most DIY stores. Do not use caustic soda as it destroys modern plastic fittings.

If the blockage is in the soil stack or main drain it will need to be Cartrefi Conwy who arranges for this to be repaired.

Unblocking a basin, sink or bath

To unblock a basin, sink or bath waste you will need:

• a bowl
• a jug or cup
• a rag or dishcloth
• a plunger; and
• rubber gloves

Wearing the rubber gloves at all times, you will need to:

• bale out most of the water into a bowl using a jug or cup, until the sink is half full;
• wet the rag and hold it tightly over the overflow opening
• place the plunger over the plug-hole; and pump up and down rapidly until the blockage clears.

Unblocking a toilet

To unblock a toilet you will need:

• a bucket
• a bowl or jug
• a plunger; and
• rubber gloves.

Wearing the rubber gloves at all times, you will need to:

• remove some of the water into a bucket using a bowl or jug and pour it away in the outside drain if the pan is full
• push the plunger to the bottom of the pan
• pump up and down rapidly about 10 times. This creates a pressure vacuum, which may shift the blockage
• pour water from a bucket into the pan and see if it clears; if necessary, repeat this process several times until the toilet flushes normally
• thoroughly wash your hands and all equipment after you have finished.