Blocked Drain? Here's What's Causing It and How to Fix It Fast

Nothing ruins your day quite like discovering blocked drains in your home. One minute you're washing dishes or having a shower, the next minute you're watching dirty water back up and wondering how much this is going to cost you.

I've been dealing with blocked drains for two decades, and honestly? Most blockages follow the same predictable patterns. The good news is that many can be sorted out pretty quickly if you know what you're doing. The bad news is that some require calling in a blocked drain plumber whether you like it or not.

Let me walk you through what's probably happening with your drain and what you should try before reaching for your wallet.

Signs Your Drain Is Blocked and What You Can Try First

Before we get into the heavy-duty stuff, let's talk about the warning signs. Blocked drains don't usually happen overnight - they build up gradually until one day you've got a proper mess on your hands.

Early warning signs:

• Water draining slower than usual (this is your first clue)

• Gurgling sounds when water goes down

• Bad smells coming from the drain

• Water backing up in sinks, showers, or floor drains

• Multiple drains affected at once (this usually means a main line problem)

If you're only dealing with one drain and it's just running slow, there are a few things worth trying before calling in the professionals.

For kitchen sinks: Start with hot water - lots of it. Boil a large pot and pour it down slowly in 2-3 stages. This can dissolve grease buildups that are just starting to form. Follow up with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar (about half a cup of each), let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush with more hot water.

For bathroom drains: Hair is usually the culprit here. If you can see it, try pulling it out with needle-nose pliers or even tweezers. Those plastic drain snakes from the hardware store can work wonders too - they're designed to grab hair clogs that are just out of reach.

The trusty plunger: Sometimes the old-fashioned approach works best. Make sure you've got a good seal around the drain and give it some firm plunges. For sinks, you might need to block the overflow with a wet cloth to get proper suction.

What NOT to try: Please don't pour chemical drain cleaners down your pipes. I see the damage these things cause all the time - they can eat through your pipes, especially if you have older plumbing. They're also terrible for the environment and can create dangerous fumes.

If none of these simple fixes work, or if you've got multiple drains backing up, it's time to call in a blocked drain plumber. We don't use nasty chemicals to clean drains, we simply retrieve what's down there with our high tech equipment. Don't feel bad about it - some problems need proper equipment and experience to solve safely.

When to Call a Professional Plumber for Blocked Drains

Here's the thing - I could probably sell you on calling a plumber for every little blockage, but that's not really fair. There are definitely times when you should try the DIY approach first. But there are also situations where trying to fix it yourself will just make things worse (and more expensive).

Call a professional immediately if:

• Multiple drains are backing up at once

• You've got sewage backing up anywhere in your house (this is a health hazard)

• There's water backing up in your yard or around your house foundation

• You can hear water running when no taps are on

• You've tried the basic fixes and nothing's working

• The blockage keeps coming back after you clear it

Multiple drain problems usually mean the blockage is in your main sewer line, not just an individual drain. This isn't something you want to mess around with - it needs proper equipment and expertise.

Recurring blockages are particularly frustrating. You clear the drain, it works fine for a few days or weeks, then blocks up again. This usually means there's a bigger issue - maybe tree roots in your pipes, a collapsed section, or a serious buildup that needs professional drain cleaning services.

Strange smells that won't go away even after cleaning can indicate problems in your sewer line or vent system. These aren't just unpleasant - they can be health hazards.

I always tell people that if you're uncomfortable with any part of the process, just call someone. Plumbing repairs can get expensive fast if you accidentally damage something while trying to fix a blockage.

Older homes deserve special mention here. If your place was built more than 30-40 years ago, your pipes might be made of materials that don't handle aggressive clearing methods well. Clay pipes, cast iron, even some early plastic pipes can crack or break if you're too forceful with them.

The other thing to consider is your time and stress levels. Sometimes it's worth paying a professional just to know the job's done properly and you don't have to worry about it anymore.

How Plumbers Unblock Drains: Jet Blasting, CCTV and More

Right, so you've called in a blocked drain plumber. What actually happens next? Well, it depends on what's causing the blockage, but modern drain cleaning services have some pretty impressive tools at their disposal.

Drain cameras (CCTV inspection) are usually where we start for serious blockages. This isn't just high-tech showing off - we need to know what we're dealing with before we start blasting away at your pipes. The camera shows us exactly where the blockage is, what's causing it, and what condition your pipes are in.

I can't tell you how many times the camera has revealed problems that weren't obvious from the surface. Tree roots are a big one - they can completely fill a pipe, but you'd never know from ground level. We also find collapsed pipes, offset joints, and sometimes things that really shouldn't be in your drains (kids' toys are surprisingly common).

High-pressure water jetting is probably our most effective tool for most blockages. We're talking about water at pressures up to 5000 PSI being blasted through your pipes. This will clear pretty much anything - grease, hair, soap buildup, even some tree roots.

The great thing about water jetting is that it's not just clearing the blockage, it's cleaning the entire inside of your pipe. When we're done, your drains should flow better than they have in years.

Electric drain machines (sometimes called drain snakes or eels) are better for specific types of blockages, especially in smaller pipes. These have rotating cables with cutting heads that can break through solid blockages or cut tree roots.

Pipe relining is something we might suggest if the camera shows your pipes are damaged. Instead of digging up your yard to replace broken pipes, we can install a new pipe liner inside the existing pipe. It's less disruptive and usually cheaper than full replacement.

At Koalafied Plumbing, our drain cleaning service includes a thorough CCTV inspection to identify the exact cause of your blockage. We don't just clear the immediate problem - we make sure we're addressing any underlying issues that could cause problems down the track. Giving you long term solutions.

For emergency situations, we can often clear basic blockages with simpler tools to get your drains flowing again, then come back later for a more thorough cleaning when it's convenient.

The whole process usually takes anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on what we find. We'll always explain what we're doing and why, and give you options if we discover additional problems.

Preventing Future Drain Blockages - Tips for Homeowners

Look, we make money from blocked drains, but I'd rather see you avoid the problem in the first place. Here's what actually works for keeping your drains flowing freely.

Kitchen drains: The biggest culprit is grease and food scraps. I know it's tempting to wash everything down the sink, but grease solidifies in your pipes and creates a sticky mess that catches everything else. Scrape plates into the bin, let greasy pans cool down and wipe them out before washing.

Running hot water after using the sink helps, but it's not a magic solution. The grease will still solidify further down your pipes where the water cools off.

Bathroom drains: Hair is enemy number one here. Those little mesh catchers for your shower drain are incredibly effective and cost about $5. Clean them out regularly and you'll prevent most bathroom drain blockages.

Don't flush anything except toilet paper down your toilet. I don't care what the packaging says about "flushable" wipes - they don't break down properly and cause major blockages in sewer systems.

Laundry drains: Lint from your washing machine can build up over time. Those mesh lint catchers for your washing machine hose are worth installing. Also, be careful with liquid fabric softeners - they can leave residue that builds up over time.

Tree management: If you've got large trees near your sewer line, keep an eye on them. Tree roots naturally grow toward water sources, and your sewer pipes are like a magnet for them. Regular CCTV inspections every few years can catch root intrusion before it becomes a major problem.

What you can flush vs. what you shouldn't: This seems obvious, but I still pull crazy stuff out of drains. Coffee grounds, cat litter, cooking oil, paint, medication - none of this belongs in your drains. When in doubt, put it in the bin or take it to proper disposal facilities.

Regular maintenance: Having your drains professionally cleaned every year or two isn't just good for preventing blockages - it also lets us spot potential problems before they become expensive emergencies.

Warning signs to watch for: We covered these earlier, but it's worth repeating - slow drainage, gurgling sounds, and bad smells are all early warning signs. Don't ignore them hoping they'll go away.

Enzyme treatments: These are much safer than chemical drain cleaners and can help break down organic buildup. They work slowly but they're gentle on your pipes and the environment.

The bottom line is that a bit of prevention saves a lot of money and hassle down the track. Most drain blockages are completely avoidable with some basic care and attention.

Need Professional Help with Your Blocked Drains?

Sometimes despite your best efforts, you end up with blocked drains that need professional attention. Whether it's a simple blockage or a complex main line problem, having the right blocked drain plumber makes all the difference.

Ready to get your drains flowing freely again? Contact Koalafied Plumbing today for fast, reliable drain cleaning services across Sydney's Northern Beaches. Our experienced team uses the latest equipment including CCTV cameras and high-pressure water jetting to solve your drain problems quickly and effectively.

Don't let blocked drains disrupt your day any longer - call Koalafied Plumbing and get back to normal fast.