Kitchen sink blockages
Kitchen sink blockages are almost always caused by grease, fat and food debris building up in the trap (the U-bend under the sink) and the waste pipe. Start with a plunger: place it over the plughole, fill the sink slightly with water, and pump firmly 10 to 15 times. If that fails, put a bucket under the trap, unscrew it and clean it out directly.
Never pour boiling water into a plastic waste pipe — it can soften and distort the pipe. Hot (not boiling) water with a little washing-up liquid is fine and can help shift grease. Avoid chemical drain cleaners on a regular basis as they are corrosive to older fittings.
Bathroom basin and bath blockages
Bathroom blockages are usually hair and soap scum. Remove the plug or pop-up stopper and clean out the trap directly. A drain snake or zip-it tool (available at any hardware shop for under €5) is excellent for pulling out hair blockages without disassembling anything.
Avoid chemical drain cleaners in bathrooms — they are harsh on older chrome waste fittings, rarely clear hair blockages properly, and can cause problems if your drains back up.
Toilet blockages
For a partially blocked toilet, a flange plunger (the type with an extended rubber cup, not a standard sink plunger) is the correct tool. The extended cup creates the right seal in the toilet bowl. Push slowly at first to remove air from the cup, then pump firmly. If the water level drops after plunging, flush carefully.
If plunging does not clear the blockage after several attempts, do not keep flushing. Continued flushing risks overflow. Call a plumber — a closet auger (toilet snake) will clear most toilet blockages in minutes.
When DIY will not work: multiple slow drains
If multiple drains in the house are slow or backing up at the same time, the blockage is in the main sewer drain, not individual waste pipes. This cannot be cleared with a plunger or domestic drain cleaner. You need a plumber with a drain rod set, a high-pressure jetter, or both.
If you have a manhole in your garden or driveway, lift the cover and check. If sewage or water is backing up into the manhole, the blockage is downstream of the manhole and needs professional clearance. If the manhole is empty, the blockage is between the house and the manhole.
What drain unblocking costs in Ireland 2026
Sink or bath drain clearance typically costs €60 to €100. Toilet blockage clearance is €80 to €120. Main drain clearance with rods is €100 to €180 depending on severity. High-pressure jetting for serious or recurring blockages costs €150 to €280.
If the cause is not obvious (recurring blockages, suspected pipe damage, roots in the drain), a CCTV drain survey is worth the cost at €180 to €350. This gives a video record of the pipe condition and identifies exactly where the problem is, which can save significant money on unnecessary digging.
