We’ve all been there - standing in a shower with water pooling around your ankles, or watching the kitchen sink drain at a glacial pace. Blocked drains are one of those household headaches that seem to happen at the worst possible time. But before you reach for that bottle of chemical drain cleaner or start Googling ‘emergency plumber near me,’ let’s chat about what actually works when it comes to drain cleaning and what’s just a waste of your time (and money).
Understanding What Causes Blocked Drains
Before we dive into solutions, it’s helpful to understand what you’re dealing with. Hair, soap scum, and grease are the top culprits behind residential drain blockages across Australia. In your bathroom, it’s usually a lovely combination of hair and soap residue forming a gunky mat in your pipes. Kitchen drains? That’s typically grease, food scraps, and sometimes coffee grounds that haven’t quite made it through.
The thing is, our pipes aren’t designed to handle everything we send down them. Tree roots are another massive issue in Australian homes, particularly in older suburbs with established gardens. Before planting trees on your property, Sydney Water recommends avoiding planting within 6 metres of wastewater pipes, as tree roots can enter small cracks seeking nutrients and cause serious blockages.
According to Sydney Water, non-flushable wet wipes contribute to 75% of wastewater blockages. This alarming statistic shows just how much damage flushable products can cause to our drainage systems. Sydney Water spends around $27 million annually dealing with up to 20,000 network blockages.
Need help identifying what’s blocking your drains? Ezy-Plumb’s experienced technicians can diagnose the issue quickly with camera inspections. Call 0402 169 096 or visit ezyplumb.com.au for same-day service across Brighton and surrounding Melbourne suburbs.
DIY Methods That Actually Work
Let’s start with the good news - there are several tried-and-true methods you can tackle yourself before calling in the professionals.
The Boiling Water Flush
This one’s dead simple but surprisingly effective for minor blockages, particularly in kitchen sinks. Boil a full kettle of water and pour it directly down the drain in two or three stages, allowing it to work for several seconds between pours. This works brilliantly for breaking down soap scum and melting greasy buildups.
The Baking Soda and Vinegar Combo
You’ve probably seen this one all over social media, and here’s the truth - it does work, but not quite how most people think. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with a plug or cloth to keep the fizzy reaction working in the pipes rather than putting on a show in your sink.
The fizzing action can help break up some organic matter and clear mild blockages. However, this combination is more effective as a regular maintenance routine rather than a blockage-busting miracle cure. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then flush with hot water.
The Good Old Plunger
Never underestimate the power of a proper plunger! Make sure you’ve got a good seal around the drain, and use firm, consistent plunging motions. For sinks, block the overflow hole with a wet cloth to create better suction. For toilets, you’ll want a flange plunger specifically designed for the curved bowl.
Give it 15-20 solid plunges before deciding it’s not working. A quality plunger, when used correctly with proper technique and a good seal, can clear many simple blockages effectively.
Plunger not cutting it? Ezy-Plumb’s blocked drain specialists are available for emergency callouts. We’ll have your drains flowing freely in no time.
Methods to Approach with Caution
Some popular drain cleaning methods sit in a grey area - they might work, but they come with risks worth considering.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Walk into any hardware store and you’ll find shelves stacked with chemical drain cleaners promising to dissolve anything in their path. Here’s the straight truth: these products can work on certain blockages, but they’re not without significant drawbacks.
Caustic drain cleaners can damage your pipes over time, particularly if you have older metal piping. They generate heat as they work, which can warp pipes, and if the blockage doesn’t clear, you’re left with a pipe full of corrosive chemicals - a nightmare scenario if you then need to call a plumber.
These chemicals are also terrible for the environment. Once they’ve done their job (or failed to), they end up in our waterways, affecting wastewater treatment systems and aquatic ecosystems.
If you do choose to use chemical cleaners, follow the instructions exactly, never mix different products, and always wear protective gear.
Drain Snakes and Augers
These tools can be brilliant when used correctly, but there’s a learning curve. A basic hand-crank drain snake from Bunnings can tackle many hair and soap clogs in bathroom drains. However, if you’re too aggressive or don’t know what you’re doing, you can scratch your pipes or even create a bigger problem by pushing the blockage further down.
For tougher jobs, there are electric drain augers, but honestly, if you’re at the point where you’re considering hiring or buying one of these, you’re probably better off calling a professional who has the right equipment and knows how to use it without damaging your plumbing system.
Methods That Simply Don’t Work (Despite What the Internet Says)
Let’s bust some myths and save you some frustration.
Cola or Other Soft Drinks
You’ve seen the videos - someone pours cola down a drain and claims it clears blockages. While cola does contain phosphoric acid, it’s not concentrated enough to make a meaningful difference on drain clogs. You’re better off drinking the cola and using the boiling water method instead.
Wire Coat Hangers
Sure, you might fish out some hair from a sink drain with a straightened coat hanger, but you’re just as likely to push the blockage deeper or scratch your pipes. Purpose-made drain cleaning tools aren’t expensive and work so much better.
Salt and Baking Soda
This combination gets mentioned a lot online, but there’s little evidence it’s any more effective than baking soda and vinegar. Salt doesn’t add much to the equation for typical household drain clogs.
Tried everything and still dealing with slow drains? Don’t waste more time and money on methods that don’t work. Ezy-Plumb’s team can fix it right the first time. Book online or call 0402 169 096. We service Brighton, Bayside, and greater Melbourne.
Professional Drain Cleaning and Why It Works
Modern drain cleaning is not guesswork. Licensed plumbers use specialised tools that diagnose and resolve problems at the source.
CCTV Drain Inspections
CCTV cameras allow plumbers to see inside pipes in real time, identifying cracks, root invasion, or collapsed sections. This approach avoids unnecessary digging and ensures accurate repairs.
High Pressure Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting is one of the most effective drain cleaning methods available and is widely recommended by Australian plumbing authorities for long term results.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
Some situations absolutely require professional help, and recognising them can save you from turning a manageable problem into an expensive disaster.
Call a licensed plumber immediately if you notice:
- Multiple drains backing up simultaneously (this often indicates a main sewer line issue)
- Sewage backing up into your home
- Gurgling sounds coming from your drains or toilet
- Persistent foul odours that don’t improve with cleaning
- Water pooling in your yard or around your home’s foundation
- Repeated blockages in the same drain despite your best efforts
Professional plumbers have tools that simply aren’t available to homeowners, including high-pressure water jetters that can blast through tree roots and stubborn blockages, CCTV cameras to inspect pipes and identify problems accurately, and the expertise to repair or replace damaged sections of pipe.
According to the Plumbing Code of Australia (Volume 3 of the National Construction Code), only licensed plumbers should perform work on sewerage systems.
The Australian Building Codes Board sets these national standards to ensure plumbing work meets health, safety and sustainability objectives. All plumbing work must comply with these codes, which reference the AS/NZS 3500 series of standards.
Preventive Maintenance
Here’s the thing nobody really wants to hear but everyone needs to know: prevention is infinitely easier than cure when it comes to drain blockages.
Simple habits that keep drains flowing:
- Install drain screens or hair catchers in bathroom drains
- Never pour cooking oil or grease down the sink - let it solidify and bin it
- Run hot water through your kitchen sink after each use
- Do a monthly maintenance flush with baking soda, vinegar, and hot water
- Be mindful of what goes down the toilet (only human waste and toilet paper, please)
- Consider having your drains professionally cleaned every couple of years if you have an older home
Regular inspections are recommended for homes over 30 years old, particularly if you have established trees near your sewer lines. A small preventive maintenance cost now can save you thousands in emergency repairs later.
Wrap Up
Drain cleaning doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. For minor blockages, simple DIY methods like boiling water, plungers, and the baking soda-vinegar combo can work wonders. Approach chemical cleaners with caution, and don’t be afraid to call in a professional when you’re out of your depth.
Remember, a little bit of regular care goes a long way toward keeping your drains clear and your home running smoothly. And when things do go pear-shaped (because let’s face it, they sometimes will), you’ll know exactly what works, what doesn't, and when it’s time to bring in the experts.
Keep your drains flowing smoothly year-round with Ezy-Plumb’s preventive maintenance services. Our team can inspect, clean, and maintain your entire drainage system. Contact Us TODAY
