A blocked drain is one of those household problems that starts as a minor annoyance and can quickly turn into a serious — and expensive — issue if left unaddressed. Whether it’s a slow-draining sink, a gurgling toilet, or a smell you can’t quite place, the signs are usually there before things get out of hand.
Here’s what Melbourne homeowners need to know about blocked drains — including what causes them, how to spot the warning signs early, and when it’s time to pick up the phone.
What Causes Blocked Drains in Melbourne?
Blocked drains can occur for a variety of reasons, and the cause often determines how quickly the problem escalates.
Inside the home, the most common culprits are:
- Hair and soap scum building up in bathroom drains over time
- Cooking grease and food scraps accumulating in kitchen sink pipes
- Wet wipes, cotton pads, and sanitary items flushed down toilets (these should never go down the drain, regardless of ‘flushable’ labelling)
- Toothpaste, soap residue, and small objects in bathroom basins
Outside the home, Melbourne’s older established suburbs present their own specific challenges:
- Tree roots are a major cause of blocked and damaged drains in Melbourne, particularly in areas with large established trees and older clay or concrete pipe infrastructure
- Collapsed or cracked pipes — common in homes built before the 1980s
- Stormwater drains blocked by leaves, debris, and sediment, especially after autumn and heavy rainfall
- Build-up of scale and mineral deposits inside older pipes
Warning Signs You Have a Blocked Drain
Catching a blockage early can save you from a much bigger (and messier) repair job. Watch out for:
- Slow draining in sinks, showers, or baths — one of the earliest and most common signs
- Gurgling sounds coming from drains or toilets when water is running elsewhere in the house
- Unpleasant odours rising from drains — often caused by trapped food, grease, or organic matter decomposing in the pipe
- Water backing up in sinks, tubs, or toilets — a clear sign of a significant blockage
- Multiple drains blocked at once — if more than one drain is affected simultaneously, the blockage is likely in the main sewer line rather than an individual drain
- Wet patches or sunken areas in the garden — can indicate a cracked or blocked underground pipe leaking into the surrounding soil
Can You Fix a Blocked Drain Yourself?
For minor blockages — a bit of hair in the shower drain, for example — a plunger or a simple drain snake from the hardware store can sometimes do the trick. There are also enzyme-based drain cleaners that can help break down organic build-up over time.
However, chemical drain cleaners are worth approaching with caution. They can be corrosive to older pipes and typically only treat the symptom rather than the underlying cause. If the blockage keeps coming back, it’s a sign something more significant is going on.
When to Call a Licensed Plumber
There are situations where DIY simply won’t cut it — and waiting too long can make the problem significantly worse:
- The blockage keeps returning despite DIY attempts
- Multiple drains are blocked at the same time
- You can hear gurgling sounds from your toilet or drains
- There’s an unpleasant sewer smell inside or outside the home
- Water is backing up into sinks, baths, or toilets
- You notice wet patches or unexplained soggy areas in your yard
A licensed plumber has access to specialised equipment — including CCTV drain cameras and high-pressure water jetters — that can locate the exact source of a blockage, clear it thoroughly, and identify any underlying pipe damage before it becomes a costly repair.
What Does Blocked Drain Repair Involve?
The approach your plumber takes will depend on the type and location of the blockage. Common methods include:
High-pressure water jetting:
A powerful jet of water is used to blast through blockages and clear the pipe walls of build-up. Effective for most residential blockages.
Electric eel (drain snake):
A flexible cable is fed into the drain to physically break up or retrieve the blockage. Often used for simpler blockages closer to the surface.
CCTV drain inspection:
A small camera is fed through the pipe to locate the blockage and inspect the condition of the pipe. Particularly useful for recurring blockages or suspected tree root intrusion.
Pipe relining:
Where a pipe is cracked or damaged, relining involves inserting a new liner inside the existing pipe — avoiding the need for excavation in most cases.
Need help? O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing Rowville has licensed, local plumbers to investigate your issues.
Call us on (03) 8520 9555 or visit obrien.com.au/members/electrical-plumbing-rowville/ to book.