Slow sinks, gurgling plugholes and bad smells are early signs of a drain starting to block. The good news is that most blockages can be prevented.
In the kitchen
- Never pour cooking fat or oil down the sink. Let it cool, then put it in the bin.
- Scrape plates into the bin before washing up.
- Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps.
In the bathroom
- Use a plughole hair catcher in the shower and bath.
- Only flush toilet paper. Wipes, even ones labelled flushable, are a common cause of blockages.
- Run hot water for a minute after using the basin.
When to call a plumber
If more than one plughole is slow, water comes back up in another fitting, or an outside drain overflows, the blockage is probably further down the pipe. A plumber can clear it safely and check the drain with a camera if needed.