Blocked Drains? Signs, Causes & How to Get Your Drain Cleared Fast

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When you have a blocked drain, it rarely happens out of nowhere. Most drain issues build up over time — until suddenly water stops flowing and you need urgent help.

If you’re searching for drain clearing, unblocking a drain, or an emergency plumber, here’s what you need to know.

Common Signs of a Blocked Drain

Catching a blockage early can save you time, stress, and money. Look out for these warning signs:

  • Water draining slowly from sinks, showers, or baths
  • Toilet water rising higher than normal after flushing
  • Gurgling noises coming from pipes or drains
  • Unpleasant smells coming from plugholes or outside drains
  • Outdoor gully trap overflowing or sitting full of water

If you notice any of these, your drain likely needs professional attention.

What Happens If You Don’t Clear a Blocked Drain?

Delaying drain unblocking can turn a minor issue into a costly repair.

Left untreated, blocked drains can lead to:

  • Sewage backups into your home
  • Foul odours caused by trapped waste and bacteria
  • Health risks from contaminated water
  • Leaks and flooding that damage floors, walls, and foundations
  • Higher repair costs if pipes crack or collapse

In short: the earlier you act, the simpler and cheaper the fix.

What Causes Blocked Drains?

Most blocked drains come down to a few common issues:

1. Build-Up of Waste and Debris

Over time, everyday materials accumulate inside pipes:

  • Grease and cooking oils
  • Soap residue and hair
  • Toilet paper and sanitary products
  • Food scraps

This gradually restricts water flow until a blockage forms.

2. Tree Root Intrusion

Tree roots are a major cause of blocked drains in New Zealand properties.
They can:

  • Enter pipes through small cracks or joints
  • Expand inside the pipe
  • Completely block water flow

3. Damaged or Collapsed Pipes

Older or damaged pipes may:

  • Crack
  • Shift
  • Collapse

This not only causes blockages but may require repair or replacement.

How Professional Drain Clearing Works

When you call a plumber for blocked drain repair, the process is typically:

Step 1: Initial Assessment

A plumber checks the symptoms and may attempt to clear the blockage using manual tools for a quick, cost-effective solution.

Step 2: CCTV Drain Inspection

If the blockage is stubborn, a drain camera may be used to:

  • Identify the exact cause
  • Locate the blockage
  • Assess pipe condition

Step 3: High-Pressure Water Jetting

For tougher blockages, high-pressure jetting is used to:

  • Cut through tree roots
  • Flush out grease and debris
  • Fully clear the pipe

Step 4: Repair and Clean-Up

If damage is found, repairs can be carried out. The area is then cleaned and disinfected to ensure hygiene.

Can You Clear a Blocked Drain Yourself?

For minor issues, you can try:

  • Boiling water (for grease build-up)
  • A plunger
  • Basic drain cleaners

However, if the problem persists, it’s best to call a professional. DIY attempts often only provide temporary relief and can sometimes worsen the blockage.

How to Prevent Blocked Drains

Reduce the risk of future blockages with a few simple habits:

  • Avoid pouring fats, oils, and grease down the sink
  • Use drain strainers to catch hair and debris
  • Only flush toilet paper (no wipes or sanitary items)
  • Schedule regular drain inspections if your property has trees nearby

Need Your Drain Cleared? Act Early

Blocked drains don’t fix themselves — and waiting usually makes things worse.

If you’ve noticed slow drainage, bad smells, or rising water levels, it’s time to get it checked. Early drain clearing is faster, cleaner, and far more affordable than dealing with major damage later.

Contact us today for fast, professional help with blocked drains.

Earthquake-Ready Plumbing Checklist: How to Protect Your Home from Damage

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Although we don’t like to think too much about it, we live on a faultline so our city is seismically active and earthquakes are frequent. Even seemingly small rumbles can compromise your home’s plumbing. With this in mind, it’s worth performing a few checks that could reduce the chance of water damage and increase the chance of having a usable plumbing system after an earthquake.

We recommend doing the following checks at least annually as well as after any significant shake.

Earthquake Plumbing Checklist
  • Pipework – check all visible pipes (including under the house and in the ceiling if accessible) for leaks/cracks.
  • Hot water cylinder – are there any leaks?  Is it securely strapped?  Does it have an overflow tray?
  • Water toby – do you know where it is and how to turn it off? Is it working properly? (See our post about water tobies here for more helpful information)
Emergency Water Supply

We have installed an emergency rainwater tank outside our own house. We wrote a post about it, which you can read here to learn more about how they work.   It’s reassuring to know we have 200 litres of water stored if we need it.

When using water from a tank to drink or brush your teeth, the usual precautions are recommended – either boil the water or add a few drops of household bleach. Rainwater tanks can be strapped to protect your extra water supply in earthquakes.

You won’t regret taking a little time to go through the checklist above. Attending to each point will reduce the plumbing issues you experience after an earthquake. There’s peace of mind knowing that you’ve done what you can to be prepared. If you spot something that you would like to have checked/fixed or you would like a rainwater tank installed at your place, please get in touch.  Craig would be very happy to help.

Protect Your Family from Hot Water Burns

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Hot water burns are serious. When we have young children in the house, who might play with a tap, or elderly family members who may have slower reactions, we must know that the water at the taps and showerheads in our house is at a safe temperature. A tempering valve is used to control the temperature and prevent scalding.

What’s a tempering valve?

A tempering valve mixes hot water from your cylinder with cold water from the mains or supply tank to deliver water to taps at a safe temperature.  In a home, that temperature must, by law, be below 55 degrees.  In some other places, such as retirement homes and childcare centres, it must be below 45 and 40 degrees, respectively.

Can’t I just turn down my hot water cylinder?

No.  Hot water cylinders are set at a minimum of 60 degrees in order to kill bacteria and ensure the water is healthy. When water drops below this temperature, the likelihood of a person becoming sick from using the water increases.  A tempering valve is fitted to the hot water outlet pipe coming from the hot water cylinder. After the water has been heated enough to kill bacteria, the valve mixes it with cold water to bring it down to a safe temperature.

How do I know if I already have a tempering valve?

Tempering valves are mandatory in new builds and Council-consented jobs involving plumbing.  It is considered good plumbing practice to inform customers if they don’t already have one installed in their home.  You can look for a tempering valve on the pipework of your hot water cylinder.  Most have a black, blue or clear circular plastic cap on them. If you have a valve but your water temperature feels as if it could be too hot, it may no longer work and need to be replaced.

Tempering valve

Look for a tempering valve in your hot water cupboard. They are essential to prevent hot water burns

What if I don’t have a tempering valve?

Contact Plumb!  We can talk to you about your needs and book an installation so you and your loved ones are protected from hot water burns. Contact us now