How to Recognise the Early Signs of a Blocked Drain

Dealing with a blocked drain can be a frustrating experience. At Ashfield Plumbing, we understand the hassle it causes and are experts at identifying and resolving blocked drains in homes across Ashfield and surrounding suburbs of Sydney.

Some early warning signs your drains may be blocked include water draining slower than usual from sinks, showers or bathtubs, gurgling sounds coming from drain pipes, foul odours emanating from drains, and toilet water taking longer to drain or overflowing.

These issues are caused by build-up of hair, grease, debris and other particles forming a clog. If left unchecked, blocked drains can lead to water backing up and damage to pipes and foundations.

The good news is, blocked drains can be cleared quickly when addressed early. Here at Ashfield Plumbing, we use state-of-the-art CCTV drain inspections to locate blockages, and advanced hydro jetting to clear even the toughest clogs. By leveraging professional drain cleaning services, you can avoid extensive repairs down the road.

Don’t resign yourself to dealing with the hassle of a blocked drain. As leading experts in the field, we’re here to help keep your home’s plumbing running smoothly. Contact our friendly team today to learn more about our blocked drain repair services.

Slow Draining Water

One of the clearest early signs your drain may be blocked is if water drains noticeably slower than usual. Slow drainage indicates a partial blockage is forming in the pipe. You may notice this when emptying a bathtub or sink, with the water taking much longer to go down the drain.

While a complete clog will lead to water pooling up, slow drainage means debris, grease or other material is beginning to accumulate and restrict flow down the drain. If you notice the water in your shower, tub, bathroom sink or other fixtures taking longer to drain out, it’s a red flag of an impending blockage in need of professional drain cleaning.

Gurgling Noises from Drains

One of the most common warning signs of an impending drain blockage is gurgling noises coming from your drains or plumbing pipes. One of the most common warning signs of an impending drain blockage is gurgling noises coming from your drains or plumbing pipes. As more debris accumulates, it restricts the flow of water even further, forcing air past and creating those telltale gurgling sounds.

Gurgling noises indicate the drain lines are partially blocked by some sort of debris like grease, hair or lint. Smaller clogs may still allow some water through, so you’ll notice the gurgling noises along with slower than normal drainage. Left unaddressed, these partial obstructions can worsen over time and lead to a complete clog.

Don’t ignore gurgling coming from your drains or assume it’s ‘normal noise’ from the plumbing system. Persistent gurgling is your drainage system’s way of signalling a potential problem. Have our team inspect your drains as soon as you notice any new or worsening gurgling noises. We can pinpoint the location of the clog using state-of-the-art CCTV drain inspections.

The sooner you address the issue, the easier it will be to clear before it turns into a full blockage.

Foul Odors from Drains

One of the clearest signs of a blocked drain is foul, unpleasant odours emanating from your drains or sinks. This stagnant water putrefies and releases noxious sewer gases that waft up through the drain pipe.

Sewage gases contain hydrogen sulphide, which produces a distinct 'rotten egg’ smell. Sewage gases contain hydrogen sulphide, which produces a distinct 'rotten egg’ smell.

If you begin noticing foul odours coming from a sink, shower, bathtub or other drains, it indicates the beginning stages of a blockage. The bad smell is a clear warning sign that waste is starting to accumulate and cannot flow freely down the sewer line.

The gases smell unpleasant due to the bacteria breaking down the waste.

Don’t dismiss a bad odour coming from drains as normal. This eliminates foul odours by restoring free flow down the line.

Persistent and increasing foul drain smells are a health hazard and should be addressed promptly. Persistent and increasing foul drain smells are a health hazard and should be addressed promptly. Contact us as soon as you notice unexplained odours so we can diagnose and clear the blockage.

Abnormal Toilet Water Levels

One telltale sign of a blocked drain is if you notice the water level in your toilet bowl is higher or lower than normal.

A toilet bowl’s water level is carefully calibrated and relies on sufficient flow down the drain pipe. A toilet bowl’s water level is carefully calibrated and relies on sufficient flow down the drain pipe.

With a partial clog, drainage will slow, causing water to back up and remain higher in the toilet bowl. In severe blockages, the toilet bowl water may lower as the drain becomes completely blocked. Either abnormally high or low water levels point to an obstruction preventing proper drainage.

Don’t ignore a change in your toilet’s normal water level. This is your drainage system signalling a problem. Restoring proper drainage prevents further issues.

Even minor clogs will worsen over time, so address as soon as you notice abnormal toilet water levels. Even minor clogs will worsen over time, so address as soon as you notice abnormal toilet water levels.

Multiple Fixtures Draining Slowly

One of the most definitive signs of a blocked drain is when multiple plumbing fixtures in your home start draining abnormally slowly. This occurs when a significant clog forms in the main sewer branch line that connects all your home’s drainage pipes together.

With a major blockage in the branch drain line, any fixture tied into that waste pipe will be affected. If it’s isolated to just one fixture, it may be a small clog in that particular drain. But when all drains are collectively slow, it points to a larger obstruction impacting the main sewage line.

You’ll notice sinks, showers, tubs and toilets all exhibiting sluggish drainage at the same time.

Don’t assume gradual drainage issues in multiple fixtures are 'normal’ or something you have to live with. This is almost always caused by a blocked drain that will only get worse over time. We use advanced CCTV cameras to pinpoint all blockages and hydro jetting to blast away the toughest clogs.

Have our team inspect and clear the problem promptly. Fixing the central drain line obstruction improves drainage to all fixtures.

Causes of Blocked Drains

• Accumulation of hair and haircare products can cling to pipes and accumulate over time.
• Food scraps and grease wash down sinks and congeal into blockages.
• Tree roots can grow into and obstruct sewer pipelines.
• Buildup of soap scum, personal hygiene products and other debris.
• Collapse or shifting of drain pipes due to age, erosion or ground movement.
• Foreign objects like toys or flip flops falling into toilets and getting lodged.
• Excess toilet paper or 'flushable’ wipes overwhelming pipe capacity.
• Leaves, dirt and other material entering drain areas from heavy rain.

Many common household items inadvertently get washed down our drains daily. Over time, this debris accumulates and restricts flow in the narrow pipes.

Hair, grease and soap residue tend to be the biggest culprits of gradual blockage formation. But even small foreign objects or a single overgrowth of tree roots can cause sudden blocked sewer drains. Hair, grease and soap residue tend to be the biggest culprits of gradual blockage formation.

Consequences of Unfixed Blocked Drains

Ignoring the early warning signs blocked drain can have serious consequences if not addressed promptly in some cases. As the clog worsens over time, the effects escalate:

• Wastewater can back up and cause flooding inside your home, leading to unsanitary conditions, damage to floors and walls, and growth of mould.
• Overflowing water or sewage may flow into yards or streets, posing an environmental hazard.
• Slow drainage allows solids to accumulate and putrefy, producing foul odours and health risks from bacteria growth.
• Added pressure on blocked pipes can cause leaks, cracks or complete rupture. This requires expensive repairs or even full drain replacement.
• Tree roots penetrating a drain line grow larger over time. Eventually they can destroy pipes or undermine building foundations.
• Blocked sewer lines connected to a septic system can cause wastewater to back up and overflow the tank.

Don’t take chances with a blocked drain. Don’t take chances with a blocked drain.

Have our team inspect and clear any blockages promptly before they escalate. Fixing issues early prevents damage, odours and potential health hazards to your home and family.

Prevention with Drain Maintenance

While blocked drains can strike any home, there are preventative measures you can take to dramatically reduce your risk. We highly recommend scheduling regular drain maintenance and cleaning to stop debris from accumulating and turning into obstructions down the line.

A professional drain cleaning every 6-12 months is ideal for most homes. We use state-of-the-art equipment like hydro jetting and rodding machines to clear out all accumulated buildup. Preventative cleaning keeps your pipes clear and flowing freely.

You can also perform mini drain cleanings yourself between professional services. You can also perform mini drain cleanings yourself between professional services. Avoid putting any non-soluble items down toilets.

Pouring boiling water mixed with baking soda and vinegar down sinks and tub drains helps dissolve grease and hair.

With vigilant drain maintenance, you can avoid emergency blockage situations. We stand behind our workmanship and will come address any issues that still arise between cleanings. Don’t wait until you have a full clog - schedule drain cleaning services now and save yourself the headache later.

Professional Drain Cleaning Services

Regular professional drain cleaning is one of the most effective ways to prevent troublesome blockages in your home’s plumbing system. Here at Ashfield Plumbing, we offer comprehensive drain cleaning using industry-leading equipment and methods for optimal results.

Our technicians utilise state-of-the-art CCTV cameras to thoroughly inspect the interior of pipes and locate any buildup or obstructions. We can then use high-powered hydro jetting to blast away years of accumulated sludge and debris. The advanced water jets scour the entire pipe wall smooth while propelling all material down the line.

We also make use of advanced augers and rodding machines to physically break up and extract more stubborn blockages. Our cleaning process is designed to remove all accumulation while being gentle on your pipes.

With scheduled drain cleaning every 6-12 months, we can keep your drains clear and prevent major clogs before they happen. Contact our team at Ashfield Plumbing to learn more about our superior drain cleaning services utilising the latest methods and hot water hydro jetting equipment.