Blocked sinks and drains are a common household problem that can be easily fixed with a bit of DIY knowledge. Occasionally the problem might be more severe than just a few trapped potato peelings and you may need to call a plumber, but why not see if you can save yourself the call out fee first.
Blocked Sinks
Plunging
A plunger, a rubber suction cup on a wooden or plastic handle, should be in the basic DIY kit of every household. Plungers work best with some water in the sink and the overflow blocked with a damp cloth. Place the suction cup over the plughole, ensuring it covers it completely, and pump up and down a few times. In most cases, this will clear your blockage. Stubborn blockages might need the increased pressure of a force pump or aerosol clearer (available from most DIY stores), which can also be used with the sink empty.
Auger
If you have a sink with a u-bend rather than a bottle trap, you can shift blockages with an Auger (or Plumber's Snake). This flexible steel rod is pushed down the plughole and along the waste pipe to the blockage. Twisting the auger will then dislodge or break up most tough blockages.
Bottle Trap
If your sink has a Bottle Trap (a cup shaped device directly below the sink), plunging and using an auger might not work. If not, place a bucket under the trap and unscrew it. If the trap itself is blocked, dismantle it and clear it out carefully before replacing it. If the blockage is further along the waste pipe, removing the bottle trap will allow you to use an auger to clear the problem.
Blocked Toilets
Plunger, Force Pump or Auger
These tools are all available in larger sizes for clearing blocked toilets. However, simply pouring a bucket of water into the toilet can sometimes clear light blockages. Just be aware of how much water you are pouring in. You wouldn't want the bowl to overflow.
Blocked Drains
Clearing blocked drains can often be a tougher job as the blockages will generally be bigger and can sometimes be a sign of a bigger problem such as a break in the pipe. However, you can tackle blockages yourself if you have the right tools and the inclination. Most drain clearing jobs will require a drain auger or drain rods. The latter can be expensive to buy, so hiring them could be a better option. To find where the blockage lies, open the inspection chamber in your garden and take a look inside. If there is more than one on your property, open them all until you find a clear one. Now go back to the one before the clear one. This is where you will need to insert the rods.
Using Drain Rods
Screw two of the rods together and attach a work-screw head (drain rods usually come with a variety of heads for different blockages). Push it to the bottom of the chamber and feel for the channel at the bottom. Slide the head along this and into the pipe leading to the clear chamber. Add more rods as needed until you feel the blockage. Now turn the rods clockwise (otherwise they might unscrew from...
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