Advice about blocked sinks and toilets

The most effective thing you can do to stop the pipes in your home getting blocked is to be careful about what you put down sinks and toilets.

Blocked pipes can caused flooding, bad smells and costly repairs.

Toilets

Only flush the 3 P's. Pee, Poo and Paper.

Do not flush:

• sanitary towels or tampons
• baby wipes or cleaning wipes - even if they're labelled "flushable"
• nappies
• cotton buds or dental floss

Put these items in the bin instead.

Toilets should not get blocked under normal circumstances; if your toilet becomes blocked, do not use it - contact the Housing Repairs Team immediately.

Sinks

To help prevent blockages, do not pour:

• fats, oils, or grease
• food scraps, for example rice, pasta or coffee grounds
• paints or chemicals

Keep your sink clear by:

• cleaning waste pipes with hot water and soda crystals at least once a month
• using a sink strainer to catch food waste

To clear a blockage:

• remove all the water from the sink
• hold a rag tightly over the overflow pipe opening and place a plunger over the drain hole
• pump the plunger up and down rapidly to clear the blockage
• after clearing the blockage, it is advisable to rinse out with a household blockage cleaner

Slowly draining sink or toilet

If your toilet or sink is draining slowly, it could be due to:

• a minor internal blockage (for example, food, grease, wipes)
• a blocked external drain (shared or Yorkshire Water’s responsibility)
• a plumbing issue inside your home

Check:

• Are other sinks or toilets affected? If yes, it may be a wider issue.
• Are your neighbours affected? If yes, contact Yorkshire Water.
• Is the water supply working? If not, it may be a supply issue.

For more help, read information from Yorkshire Water.

Also see

• Housing
• Council homes
• Report a repair
• Tips and advice for council tenants