How To Unblock A U-Bend | Tony Brown Plumbing & Gas Services

June 21, 2022

Got a slowly draining sink you’re desperate to fix? You might think a chemical clog zapper is all you need to clear the blockage, but the problem could lie in your U-bend – that little bend in your pipe that works to prevent backflow and major clogs. How can you clean out your U-bend and get your sink flowing properly once again? Read on for our helpful tips and tricks.

Plumber Repairing Sink In The Bathroom — Tony Brown Plumbing & Gas Services in Grafton, NSW

Make your own drain cleaner

If your pipe isn’t totally blocked, a homemade solution of half a cup of bicarb soda, a cup of white vinegar, and four litres of boiling water might be just what you need. Pour it down the drain and it should dislodge the build-up.

Grab a bucket

Place a bucket under the U-bend as you’ll want something to catch any clogs or mess that comes out. We also recommend cleaning the space under your sink and wearing gloves.

Plunge your drain

If you’ve got water sitting in your sink, scoop it out until it’s just covering the plunger cup. Place your plunger over the drain and pump it vigorously for at least a minute. This will help to loosen small blockages that might be trapped in your U-bend.

Unscrew the U-bend

You’ll notice threaded caps on the end of the U-bend. Unscrew these, holding the U-bend at the same time so it doesn’t fall. Once the caps are unscrewed, remove the U-bend while ensuring your bucket is in perfect position.

Drain the U-bend

You should see some water start to drain out of the sink. Once the drainage stops, turn the U-bend upside down and drain it over the bucket. If there’s a clog or collection of grease, hair or soap, you might need to clear it out yourself, which is why gloves really come in handy. You can even use a coat hanger to remove blockages and scrape off sludge. At this point, you might also want to give your U-bend a little more TLC with a good scrub with detergent and a brush. It’s important you make sure all debris or build-up is removed before reattaching the U-bend.

Re-attach the U-bend

Screw the threaded caps back on the U-bend and test your sink. Hopefully, your water will be draining perfectly. If it doesn’t, this indicates the blockage is further down and you’ll need to contact a professional plumber for assistance.

Blocked U-bend? That's no problem for Tony Brown Plumbing & Gas!

If you’ve got drainage problems, look no further than Tony Brown Plumbing & Gas. We’re a qualified, friendly team of plumbing professionals dedicated to delivering only the highest-standard plumbing, gasfitting, roofing and general maintenance services to our valued Grafton clients. Renovation and maintenance jobs are our specialities, and you can be confident there’s no job – residential, commercial, or industrial – that we can’t handle. Contact us today on 0419 998 068 to chat with our team, hear about our wide range of services, and book quality, affordable plumbing assistance you can trust.