Use a sink plunger

We've had a problem with the bath. The water hasn't been draining away freely. We've removed all the nasty hair and gunk that was blocking the plug hole - a horrible job - but after having a shower we're still left standing in a couple of inches of water.

There's a number of options open to us. First up is Mr Muscle Sink & Plughole Unblocker.

Powerful gel clears blockages effortlessly. Clears blocked and slow running sinks, plugholes and pipes effectively. Sinks through standing water straight to the blockage. Kills germs and deodorises.

Yeah, and it's also a bunch of nasty chemicals that you're dumping straight into the water system. You have to wear protective gloves and exercise extreme caution when using the product. At £3.04 this seems an expensive use-once system that I won't be trying.

Next up is Harpic Power Jet Sink Unblocker. This is a big aerosol can that you place over the plug hole and upon pressing down a three second jet of liquid is supposed to clear the blockage. Trust me, it doesn't work. I've tried it before. It costs £3.98 and you can only use it once and once is not enough. There's no mention of what's in the liquid either.

Unimpressed with the choice of items at the supermarket I decided to visit my local DIY shop. There on the shelves for just £2.16 was a low-cost re-usable option - the humble, but most effective, rubber sink plunger. Within minutes and using a good bit of elbow grease, the blockage was removed. If it happens again I can reuse the plunger.

Some tips for using a sink plunger - make sure there's some water in the bath when plunging as this helps make a better seal. Hold a damp cloth over the overflow hole to form a complete seal. For really stubborn blockages, you can push the plunger down and then pull completely off very quicly. This sucks the gunk out of the drain - not for the weak of stomach!

I've also seen people resorting to stuffing wire coat hangers down their drains. This seems to be a waste of a good wire coat hanger. There are also tools available that you use in the same way, known as drain augers, or snakes.

For more tips on unblocking a sink, see this article from the Dummies site.

caldini