If you don't deal with a blocked drain at the first sign of trouble, it can quickly escalate. A blocked drain is more than standing water and unpleasant odours; you may end up with even bigger issues, such as raw sewage spilling into your garden.
In this article, we'll provide you with the essential tips you need to hire the right professional plumber.
Types of blocked drains
Need a hand?
Bring your project to life with trusted pros.
Tell us a few details about the job and we'll match you with verified professionals in minutes—any trade, any project.
Let's first focus on the different types of blocked drains you may be dealing with so you can be sure to hire the best plumber for the job.
Sewer Drain
Still deciding?
Ready to compare quotes?
Tell us a few details about the job and we'll match you with verified professionals in minutes—any trade, any project.
A sewer drain blockage can be caused by any type of build up in the sewer line, including grease, foreign objects and other debris.
Stormwater Drain
Your stormwater drain is designed to carry excess water away from your home and the surrounding areas, but it's common for these drains to get caught up with leaves, dirt, and other garden debris. Blocked stormwater drains can lead to flooding.
Kitchen Sink Drain
Leftover food scraps, grease, oil, and anything else you pour down your sink can block it and due to the nature of this debris, this type of blockage tends to come with slow draining and foul odours.
Need a hand?
Bring your project to life with trusted pros.
Tell us a few details about the job and we'll match you with verified professionals in minutes—any trade, any project.
Toilet Drain
Of all the blocked drains, the toilet drain is often the most frustrating because it can bubble up and overflow into your bathroom, leading to unsanitary conditions. A blocked toilet could be due to too much toilet paper, flushable wipes that don't flush properly, or that toy your toddler tried to flush last week. The quicker you deal with it, the better.
Get a free quote from a blocked drain plumber in minutes.
The typical signs of a blocked drain
What signs should you look out for to catch a blocked drain before it becomes a major problem?
- Gurgling sounds coming from a drain
- Tub or shower drain or kitchen or bathroom sink drains that are slow to drain or fill too quickly
- Foul odours coming from either drains, pipes, or the outdoor sewer pipe and drain
- Overflow from a floor drain, sink, or visible sewage in the toilet
The key to successfully dealing with a blocked sewer or drain is quick action. While a drain cleaner or drain snakes may be sufficient in the meantime, a licensed plumber will send a drain camera down into your plumbing system to do a drain inspection to find the root cause. It's one thing to clear your shower drain because of soap scum build up, but if you're dealing with a recurring issue, hydro jetting may be the best course of action for clearing blocked drains.
Easy steps to hiring a blocked drain plumber
Don't wait for a plumbing emergency to find a reputable plumber, it's always good to have an expert's number in your phone for when the worst happens. However, if you are in an emergency, here's what you need to look out for when searching for a blocked drain plumber.
Research
Plumbers have specialties and while there are some out there who do a little bit of everything, some specialise in high pressure jetting to clear a blocked drain in record time. These professionals are uniquely suited to deal with blocked stormwater and drains because they have a deeper understanding of plumbing infrastructure and what could be causing your problem. Modern blocked drain plumbers usually offer a camera inspection as part of their service and will offer recommendations based on what they find, which is why you should always opt for the drainage expert over a run-of-the-mill plumber.
Still deciding?
Ready to compare quotes?
Tell us a few details about the job and we'll match you with verified professionals in minutes—any trade, any project.
A quick search for blocked drains plumber near me will deliver a list of options, so make sure you read their reviews thoroughly and check out their websites before asking for quotes.
Qualifications
Reputable blocked drain plumbers don't have an issue proving they are qualified, licensed, and insured to carry out the work you need. So, don't be afraid to ask for these if you don't find much on their website.
Multiple quotes
Always ask for a written quote before the job begins. Plumbers can be expensive and you don't want to end up with hidden fees for work you didn't ask for. A reputable plumber won't be offended by the request and if they are, that should tell you everything you need to know about the way they operate. They should be more than happy to explain their methods, too, whether it's jetting high pressure water to blow through blockages or another method.
There are a range of diagnoses that may come when a plumber sends a CCTV camera into your drains. They may discover tree roots causing the blockages and collapsed pipes that don't allow for the passage of debris, and while the lucky homeowners just pay someone to unblock drains, you may also need to deal with damaged pipes or pipe relining.
A blocked drain can cause serious damage to your property, whether it's a shower waste issue or worse, finding a professional plumber who specialises in unblocking drains is the first step and you must act quickly.
Need a hand?
Bring your project to life with trusted pros.
Tell us a few details about the job and we'll match you with verified professionals in minutes—any trade, any project.