A blocked drain does not always call for a bottle of chemical cleaner. If a sink, basin, bath or shower is draining slowly, a few simple checks can help you find the obstruction and decide what to try next.

What is blocking the drain?

Kitchen drains often collect food residue, fat and grease. Bathroom drains are more likely to catch hair and soap residue. Start with the plughole: a blockage close to the surface may be easy to remove.

1. Remove anything you can see

Lift the plug or drain cover if it comes away easily. Put on gloves, remove visible hair or debris and place it in the bin. Do not wash it back down the drain. Run a little water to see whether the flow has improved.

2. Check the trap if you can reach it safely

For a kitchen or bathroom sink, the U-bend beneath the basin may hold the blockage. Put a bucket and towel underneath before loosening it. If the pipework is difficult to access or you are unsure how it fits together, leave it in place and ask a plumber.

3. Try a manual drain tool

If the plughole is clear but water still drains slowly, a suitable manual tool may help move the obstruction. Follow its instructions and avoid forcing fittings or fragile pipework.

Magic Pump DRAIN is a manual pump designed to send water downwards through a blocked drain. Fill the pump with water, position its rubber foot over the drain and pump downwards. You can watch the short DRAIN demonstration before using it.

Important: If you have already poured chemical drain cleaner into the drain, do not put your face or hands over it or use a tool that could splash the liquid. Follow the product label and get appropriate professional advice.

When should you call a plumber?

Get help if several fixtures are backing up, wastewater is overflowing, the blockage keeps returning, or you cannot identify a safe way to clear it. A repeated problem may be further along the pipe than a household tool can reach.

Help prevent another blockage

• Keep food scraps, cooking fat and coffee grounds out of the kitchen sink.
• Use a hair catcher in the shower or bath and empty it regularly.
• Deal with slow drainage early, before the pipe stops flowing altogether.

If your kitchen sink is the problem, read our guide to the common causes of a blocked kitchen sink.

See Magic Pump DRAIN