Blocked sink? Reach for a wrench, not a pipe cleaner

If you find there is water water standing in your sink and it is no longer draining properly you have probably got to that troublesome stage where hair and other things have got stuck in the pipe below the plughole.

You are going to need to sort it out, and the experts at Germany's DIY Academy have lots of good advice to help you tackle the problem.

First of all, they say, you should not resort to chemical drain cleaners, because they could actually make the problem worse. They cause a chemical reaction that generates a lot of heat which can cause deposits of soap, grease and hair to form an even more solid blockage.

Instead, a little manual labour is required. "The best way is to remove the waste trap from below the sink and clear the blockage manually," says Robert Raschke-Kremer from the DIY Academy.

To do this, first clean the sink drain with a long brush. Then it's time to dismantle the trap, the U-shaped part of the pipe under your sink.

Using a pipe wrench (otherwise known as an adjustable spanner), first loosen the two locking rings on the curved part of the trap. The elbow of the trap can then be removed. It's important to remember to place a bucket underneath to catch any draining water and trapped waste.

If you have trouble undoing the pipe's connections you can use penetrating oil to tackle the problem. It's usually sold in aerosol cans and you can apply it precisely using the flexible tube supplied with it. If you leave the penetrating oil to work for a short time, the stuck screws can usually be loosened without any problems.

You can now remove the stuck hair and soap residue from the pipe by hand - you will probably want to wear rubber gloves for this job. Use a long brush to tackle any other remaining deposits.

When reassembling the pipes and connectors, it is a good idea to replace the rubber seals of the locking rings. Then screw the pipe back on - job done.

For drainage problems in the bath or shower where the pipes are more difficult to reach, you can use a plunger to unblock them.

First tape off the overflow or seal it up with a cloth, then pour some warm soapy water into the drain and press the plunger firmly over it. By moving the handle evenly up and down, you will create a vacuum which loosens the blockage.

If you want to prevent the problem from happening in the first place, the DIY Academy recommends placing a silicone or stainless steel strainer over the drain, to catch hair, pieces of soap and other troublesome bits before they can create a blockage.