The short answer
Sinks usually block from grease, food, hair, or soap scum in the trap. Avoid mixing chemical drain openers casually — they can damage pipes and splash skin. A plunger or trap clean-out is safer; deep line blockages need a plumber.
Common causes
- Grease and food scrap build-up in kitchen traps
- Hair and soap residue in bathroom basins
- Foreign object caught in the trap
- Partial blockage further down the waste line
What you can safely check
These are low-risk checks only. Do not open live electrical panels, handle refrigerant, or dismantle fuel systems. If anything feels unsafe, stop and book a verified professional.
- Remove the sink stopper and clear visible hair or debris by hand (wear gloves)
- Try a cup plunger with enough water to cover the cup — a few firm plunges
- If you are comfortable, place a bucket under the U-bend, undo the slip nuts, and empty the trap — refit firmly without cross-threading
- Do not pour boiling oil or random chemical cocktails down the drain
When to call a professional
- Multiple fixtures backing up at once (may be a main line issue)
- Sewage smell with no clearance after trap cleaning
- Water rising in other drains when you run the sink
How Tușe and iRanti help
Open the Tuse app and describe what is happening in your own words — for example, “blocked sink”. iRanti reads the description, suggests the likely service category and a price band, and routes you toward a verified plumbing professional. It is a preliminary assessment, not a definitive remote diagnosis: the artisan still inspects on site before any repair.
Starting price for Plumbing
Plumbing on Tuse starts from ₦10,000. That is starting guidance, not a guaranteed final quote. Scope, parts, and complexity can change the total — you see the price in the app before you confirm, and any on-site change needs your approval first.
FAQs
How do I unblock a sink at home?
Clear the stopper, plunge, and if needed empty the U-bend with a bucket underneath. Persistent or multi-fixture blockages need a plumber.
Related problems
Book a verified artisan
Identity-checked, location-matched, paid securely in-app.