Article posted by David MacKenzie on Friday, December 5, 2025.
Blocked drains are just about the most frustrating plumbing problems you can have at home. There’s nothing worse than dealing with a clogged drain – the mess, the hassle, and the potential damage it can cause. But by understanding what causes them, spotting the early warning signs, and knowing when to bring in a professional blocked drain plumber, you could avoid a whole lot of future headaches.
What is a Blocked Drain Plumbing Problem?
So, what exactly is a blocked drain? It’s when the pipes that are supposed to carry wastewater away from your home get blocked by debris or structural damage. This can be a real problem, especially if you’re dealing with sinks, toilets, showers, or stormwater systems.
Blocked drain plumbing is what you call the process of spotting, clearing, and fixing these obstructions. Plumbers use some pretty cool equipment, like CCTV cameras to find the blockage, and powerful tools like hydro-jetters or motorised drain snakes to clear it. It’s essential to sort this out quickly, because failure to do so can lead to some serious issues down the line – including property damage and some nasty health risks.
Signs That You’ve Got a Blocked Drain
Knowing what to look out for is absolutely key when it comes to catching a blocked drain issue before it gets too bad. Here are the key warning signs to watch out for:
- Slow Draining Water: This is probably the most common sign of a blockage. If waste and debris constrict the pipe’s diameter, you’ll find that water takes a lot longer to drain from sinks, showers or toilets.
- Gurgling Noises: You might hear some funny noises coming from the drain when you flush the loo or run a tap. This is typically a sign that air pockets are being pushed past a partly blocked pipe.
- Foul Smells: If the pungent smell of sewers or drains starts hanging around, it’s likely that you’ve got a blocked drain. Trapped organic matter decomposing releases some pretty unpleasant gases – like hydrogen sulfide.
- Water Backing Up or Rising: If water is spewing out of your shower, or you’ve got water standing in drains around your home, this is a sign of a serious issue. It means that there’s a blockage in the main line that’s stopping water flowing properly.
- Toilet Clogs All The Time: If your toilet is clogging all the time and needs to be plunged, there might be a bigger problem lurking beneath the surface – like tree root intrusion or a collapsed pipe.
Why Do Drains Get Blocked?
Most blockages result from a combination of our daily habits and environmental factors. Here are some common causes, and a few tips on how to prevent them:
Clogged Drains Due to Everyday Habits
- Fats, Food, & Grease: Pouring grease down the drain can cause it to solidify and stick to the pipe walls – a real recipe for disaster. Similarly, food scraps and coffee grounds can accumulate beside it.
- Hair Accumulation: When we wash our hair, it can shed quite a bit of hair – which can accumulate and stick to grease and soap scum to form clumps.
- Foreign Objects & Excess Paper: We all know that certain types of wipes may be marketed as “flushable”, but they can still cause problems. Sanitary products, toys and other stuff shouldn’t go down the loo either.
- Build-up: Over time, soap residue and mineral deposits like limescale can build up in your pipes, gradually reducing their diameter.
External Causes
- Tree Roots: These can infiltrate small cracks in underground pipes, seeking out water and potentially causing major clogs.
- Structural Damage: Collapsed or age-old pipes can break down or misalign, causing blockages.
What to Do When Your Drain is Blocked
If you suspect a major blockage (like water backing up in multiple fixtures), stop using water and avoid flushing the loo. You don’t want to make things any worse.
DIY Solutions
For minor clogs, you might be able to clear them yourself:
- Boiling Water: Be sure to pour boiling water down your metal pipes only – don’t try this on PVC pipes, or the heat could warp the plastic.
- Plunging: Get the right type of plunger for the job (cup for sinks/baths, flange for toilets). Make sure the fixture is filled with a little water first to help create a seal, and then plunge it hard for 20 seconds.
- Natural Cleaners: Drop a half cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a half cup of vinegar. The foamy reaction that occurs may help dislodge minor debris – just let it sit for 10-15 minutes before flushing with hot water.
- Drain Snake or Auger: If you suspect a clog further down the pipe, you can try using a drain snake or auger to reach it.
Watch Out For Chemical Drain Cleaners:
Plumbing experts are warning against getting too handy with those store-bought chemical drain cleaners. The problem is they’re often acidic and can do serious damage to your pipes – not to mention they only end up causing more trouble long term by burning a small hole through the clog, but leaving the rest of the blockage to cause even bigger problems later on.
When It’s Time to Call a Plumber
If you’ve tried DIY methods but still can’t sort out the problem, or if you notice one of the following, then it’s time to call in the experts:
- Water is still backing up into multiple fixtures
- You’re putting up with constant, nasty smells
- The same drain keeps on clogging over and over
- The issue is caused by tree roots or a pipe that has collapsed
The thing is, your professional local plumber has the knowledge and the right equipment – like hydro-jetters and CCTV cameras – to rip out large obstructions and fix any damage.
All plumbing work must comply with strict Australian standards set out in the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA).
If you need help with your blocked drains for your home or business, DMACK Plumbing & Gas is here to help. Call us on 0407 851 244, and we’ll fix your problem, 24/7.
