What you'll need:
- Plunger
- Cloth
- Bowl
- Bucket
- Some strong wire (a wire coat hanger will do)
- Gloves
- Disinfectant
Step 1: Sink plunger
- Plug the overflow with some damp tissue or similar and fill the sink with water.
- Push the plunger down over the plughole and pump several times. The suction caused should remove the blockage.
- Squirt a little disinfectant down the plughole.
Step 2: The pipes
If the sink plunger didn't do the job then you'll have to dismantle the pipes under the sink. You will either have a U-bend or a bottle-shaped trap.
- Put a bucket underneath to catch any water first.
- With a U-bend, unscrew the retaining nuts at either end.
- With a bottle-trap, unscrew the whole thing.
- Once removed use your gloved fingers or a piece of wire to poke out any blockage in the pipes. This can be messy and smelly, but is necessary to get your sink draining again.
- Rinse the pipes well (remember not to do this in the sink you're working on!), and give the seals a clean so they can do their job.
Step 3: Reassemble
Put the system back together, firmly tightening all nuts. Squirt a little disinfectant down the plughole to finish the job off.