What to Do About a Blocked Drain

A blocked drain can show up as slow-draining water, gurgling sounds, or water backing up in a sink, shower or toilet. A few things are worth checking before you call a plumber.

Common causes

Kitchen drains are often blocked by fat, oil and food scraps that build up inside the pipe over time. Bathroom drains are more commonly blocked by hair and soap residue. Outdoor drains can be blocked by leaves, dirt or tree roots finding their way into older pipes.

What you can check yourself

A plunger can sometimes clear a simple blockage in a sink or toilet. Avoid pouring chemical drain cleaners down the pipe — they don't always work, and they can make the job harder (and messier) for a plumber if the blockage doesn't clear.

When to call a plumber

If the blockage doesn't clear, keeps coming back, or affects more than one fixture at once, it's worth getting a plumber to take a look. A blockage affecting multiple drains at once can point to an issue further down the line, which is best assessed by a licensed plumber.

If you've got a blocked drain, get in touch and we can take a look.