1. Slow draining
If one sink or shower is slow, the blockage is probably close to that fixture. If everything is slow, the problem is further along the line.
2. Gurgling
Gurgling from a drain or toilet means air is being pushed through water. It can mean a blockage that is partly open. Listen for it when the washing machine empties.
3. Smells
A sewer smell inside or outside the house can come from a dry trap, a cracked pipe or a blocked line. Run water in unused basins to refill traps. If the smell stays, call a plumber.
4. Water where it should not be
Water rising in the shower when you flush, or bubbling in the toilet when you run the tap, shows the main line is struggling.
Sewage coming up the overflow gully outside is urgent. Stop using water in the house, then call. Keep children and pets away from the overflow.
5. Wet patches in the yard
A soggy, green or smelly patch on the lawn over the sewer line can mean a break, or a blockage that is forcing water out through a joint. Do not walk through it barefoot.
6. Repeat blockages
A drain that blocks three times in a year is not unlucky. It points to roots, a sag in the pipe or a damaged section. In older Mountains homes with clay pipes and big trees, roots are the first suspect. See tree roots in drains.
7. Pests
Rats, cockroaches and ants can come up through a broken drain. Sudden pest activity near the gully trap or a cracked pipe is worth checking.
What to do next
- Stop using water if sewage is backing up
- Do not pour chemicals into a fully blocked drain
- Note which fixtures are affected and when
- Take photos of any water or smell source
- Call a plumber and describe what you have seen
The plumber may clear the line and then recommend a look inside with a camera if the cause is unclear. Ask whether it's needed for your job. See CCTV drain inspection.
Sewer main or your pipe?
In most Mountains towns, Sydney Water looks after the main. If several neighbours have problems at once, the main may be involved. Your plumber can help work out which side of the boundary the blockage is on.
What it costs
It depends on the cause and the access. Ask for a quote before work starts.
Blocked drain in the Blue Mountains?
Call 0495 053 644Signs of a blocked drain questions
What is the most common cause of a blocked drain?
In the Blue Mountains, tree roots in older sewer pipes and leaf litter in stormwater drains are the two big ones.
Can a blocked drain fix itself?
A partial blockage can shift for a time, but it usually comes back. Better to find the cause.
Is a blocked drain dangerous?
Sewage carries germs. Avoid contact, and keep children and pets away.
Should I call before it is fully blocked?
Yes. A slow drain is easier to deal with than an overflowing one.
Related
Looking for your town? See all Blue Mountains towns.