What You Need to Know About Blocked Drains and How to Resolve Them

Name: Blocked Drain Sydney
Brand: Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbing
Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

Posted by Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbing on 4 Dec 2025

Dealing with a blocked drain can be frustrating, and it’s always best to catch the problem early. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of signs to look out for when it comes to blocked drains.

Slow draining

If your sink or bathtub takes longer than normal to drain, you may have a blockage. This is the most obvious sign of a blocked drain. It could be caused by something as simple as a buildup of hair, soap, or grease.

Foul Odors

Foul odors coming from drains can indicate that there’s a blockage somewhere in your pipes. The smell could be caused by anything from rotting food stuck in your kitchen sink to organic matter caught in your bathroom’s waste pipe.

Strange Noises

Gurgling noises coming from your pipes is another clear sign that you may have a blocked drain. These sounds are often heard when water drains from toilets and sinks. They’re often caused by trapped air trying desperately to escape through the blockage.

Water backing up

A blocked drain is when water backs up in other fixtures, such as sinks or toilets, or when you use appliances like washing machines or dishwashers. If left untreated, water backup can lead to further issues such as flooding.

How to Deal with a Blockage

Now that we’ve covered some of the signs of blocked drains let’s take a look at what you should do if you suspect there’s an issue with yours:

Use A Plunger: A plunger can help dislodge any small blockages within your pipes.
Pour Boiling Water: Pouring boiling water down your drain can help break down soap scum and melt away any grease or fats.
Use a store-bought Drain cleaner. These can cause damage to pipes over time. You can also make your own drain cleaner with baking soda and vinegar.

If none of these solutions work it is time to call a professional plumber. They’ll have the expertise and tools to find and remove any blockages from your pipes.

Conclusion

Blocked drains are frustrating and can cost you money. However, catching them early will help prevent future damage. You’ll quickly be able to identify the signs that we have discussed and take appropriate action.

Key Takeaways

Slow draining can be a sign of a blocked drain. This is usually caused by hair, soap, or grease.
Your drains may be leaking foul odors that could be indicative of blockage due to organic matter trapped in them.
When water drains from toilets or sinks, you will hear gurgling sounds coming from your pipes. This could indicate trapped air trying to escape.
If water is backing up in other fixtures, it could indicate a problem with your drainage system.
Solutions range from using a plunger