How to Prevent Blocked Drains

Blocked drains are one of the most common plumbing problems in Sydney homes — and one of the most preventable. Here’s how to keep them flowing freely, room by room.

Kitchen

Never pour grease, oil, or fat down the sink. Even with hot water, it cools and solidifies inside your pipes, building up over months until it forms a complete blockage. Wipe greasy pans with paper towel before washing.

Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps. Even a few rice grains or coffee grounds a day add up. Empty the strainer into the bin, not down the sink.

Bathroom and Shower

Hair is the number one cause of bathroom drain blockages. Install a hair catcher in every shower drain (a $5 investment). Clean it weekly.

Avoid pouring loose hair from a hairbrush into the sink or toilet. Bin it instead.

Toilet

Only flush the three P’s: pee, poo, and (toilet) paper. Even “flushable” wet wipes don’t break down properly and are responsible for most major sewer blockages in Sydney.

Other things that should NEVER go in the toilet: paper towels, tissues, sanitary products, cotton buds, dental floss, condoms, nappies, cat litter.

Laundry

Lint from clothes is a major cause of laundry drain blockages. Make sure your washing machine’s lint filter is in place and clean it regularly.

Don’t use excessive detergent — too many suds can build up in pipes and trap other debris.

Outdoor and Stormwater

Tree roots are the leading cause of major drain blockages in older Sydney homes. Don’t plant trees with aggressive root systems near your sewer line. Ensure garden beds don’t slope toward your house or stormwater drains.

Clean leaves and debris out of stormwater grates regularly, especially before heavy rain.

Regular Maintenance

Pour a kettle of boiling water down kitchen and bathroom drains once a month to dissolve early grease and soap buildup before it sets.

For older homes (or homes with large trees), book a CCTV drain inspection every 2–3 years to catch tree-root intrusion before it causes a full blockage.

FAQs

What are the early signs of a blocked drain?

Slow drainage, gurgling sounds, mild smells, and water backing up when you run another fixture (e.g. shower drains slowly when toilet flushes).

Are enzyme drain treatments safe?

Yes — enzyme-based treatments are safe for pipes and can help prevent buildup. Avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners; they corrode pipes and don’t solve serious blockages.