What you will know after this guide

  • Before acting
  • Toilet
  • Sink or basin
  • Auger and cleaning

Before acting

Identify affected fixtures, stop water if overflowing, protect the floor, ventilate and ask what chemicals were already used. Never dismantle a trap containing caustic cleaner without suitable protection and procedure.

Toilet

Close the stop if the level rises, remove some water if needed, use a flange plunger that seals the outlet and apply controlled strokes. For a nearby object or clog, use a sleeved toilet auger; do not use a regular metal snake that scratches porcelain.

Sink or basin

Clean the strainer and stopper, block the overflow for plunging, then remove the trap only if accessible and sound. Prepare a bucket, compatible washers and photos of part order. Do not force a corroded or bonded nut.

Auger and cleaning

Feed gently through a suitable access, without an improvised drill, and stop at hard resistance or cable binding. Fragile piping, an inaccessible trap or recurring blockage may require camera inspection, mechanical cleaning or professional jetting.

Call promptly

Multiple affected drains, sewage, basement backup, known tree roots, septic system, frozen line, broken pipe, hard object, persistent sewer-gas odour or leakage after reassembly are stop points.