The Dangers of Neglecting a Blocked Drain and What You Should Do

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

Posted by Blocked Drains Plumbers Sydney on 26 Oct 2025

A blocked drain can cause frustration and should be addressed immediately. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of signs to look out for when it comes to blocked drains.

Slow Draining

Blockages can occur when your bathtub or sink drains slower than usual. This is the most obvious sign of a blocked drain. This could be due to hair, soap, grease, or other simple causes.

Foul Odors

A blockage in your pipes can cause foul odors from your drains. 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 noises are usually heard when water is draining from sinks or toilets. 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. Water backup can cause flooding if left untreated.

What To Do About A Blockage

We’ve already covered the signs of a blocked drain, but let’s now look at what to do if yours is causing problems.

Use A Plunger To clear small blockages in your pipes, a plunger is a good choice.
Pour Boiling water: Pouring boiling hot water down the drain can break down soap scum, and help melt 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 will have the necessary tools and expertise to locate and effectively remove any blockages in your pipes.

Conclusion

Blocked drains can be frustrating to deal with, but catching them early can save you money and prevent further damage. By keeping an eye out for the signs we’ve discussed above, you’ll be able to quickly identify when you need to take action.

Key Takeaways

Slow draining is a common sign of a blocked drain caused by a buildup of hair, soap or grease.
Foul odors emanating from your drains could indicate blockage caused by organic matter stuck in your pipes.
Gurgling noises coming from your pipes are usually heard when water is draining from sinks or toilets – they may denote trapped air trying desperately to escape through the blockage.
If water is backing up in other fixtures, it could indicate a problem with your drainage system.
There are many solutions, starting with a plunger