Blocked drains are a common household issue that can lead to significant inconvenience and costly repairs if not addressed promptly. Understanding what causes drain blockages can help you take these proactive steps to prevent them and maintain a healthy plumbing system. As a trusted local plumbing service in Boolaroo and across Lake Macquarie, Vitality Plumbing shares the most common causes of blocked drains and tips on how to fix them and prevent them from happening again.
Hair Build-Up In Bathroom Drains
Why It Happens:
Hair is one of the biggest culprits behind blocked bathroom drains. Over time, loose strands accumulate inside pipes, mixing with soap scum and other debris to form stubborn clogs.
How to Unblock It:
- Use a drain snake or wire coat hanger to hook and pull out hair clumps
- Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain, let it sit for 30 minutes, then flush with hot water
- Install a drain cover to catch hair before it enters the pipes
Grease And Fat Blockages In Kitchen Sinks
Why It Happens:
Cooking oil, grease, and fat may seem harmless when poured down the sink, but they solidify as they cool, creating a sticky layer inside pipes that traps food particles and leads to blockages. The build-up in sewers is a real ecological problem too.
How to Unblock It:
- Boiling Water Method: Pour boiling water down the drain to help melt and loosen grease build-up
- Dish Soap and Hot Water: Mix dish soap with hot water and pour it down the sink to break down the grease
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: This natural reaction helps break up fatty deposits. Follow it up with hot water to flush everything out
- Avoid future build-up by disposing of cooking fats in a separate container instead of washing them down the sink
Foreign Objects In Toilets And Drains
Why It Happens:
Toilets and drains are often blocked due to the flushing of non-biodegradable items such as wet wipes, paper towels, sanitary products, and small objects. Even items labelled “flushable” can cause issues over time.
How to Unblock It:
- Use a plunger to create suction and dislodge the blockage
- Try a toilet auger (plumbing snake) to break up or pull out the obstruction
- Avoid chemical drain cleaners, as they can damage pipes if overused
- The best prevention is to only flush human waste and toilet paper—nothing else!
Tree Root Intrusions In Outdoor Drains
Why It Happens:
Tree roots naturally seek out water sources and can grow into underground pipes through small cracks, causing significant blockages and even structural damage.
How to Unblock It:
- For minor root intrusions, flushing the pipes with a high-pressure hose might help
- More severe cases require professional drain jetting or CCTV drain inspections to assess the damage
Prevention is difficult as the roots are already present, but having blockages cleared by professional plumbers will mean that your drains will stay unblocked for some time, you can help by not building on top of pipes with buildings or car parks causing more pressure on the pipes
Food Scraps And Coffee Grounds In Kitchen Sinks
Why It Happens:
Leftover food scraps and coffee grounds don’t break down easily in water and can get stuck in U-bends, leading to clogs.
How to Unblock It:
- Remove and clean the U-bend (P-trap) under the sink. This often collects food particles and grease
- Use biodegradable enzyme drain cleaners to break down organic matter naturally
- Prevent future blockages by scraping plates before washing and using a sink strainer or use a filter over the sink hole
Soap Scum And Mineral Build-Up In Bathroom Drains
Why It Happens:
Soap scum combines with minerals in hard water to create stubborn residue inside pipes. This slows drainage and leads to blockages.
How to Unblock It:
- Use vinegar and hot water flush to dissolve soap build-up
- Install a water softener to reduce mineral deposits in your pipes
- Avoid excessive use of bar soap—liquid soap or body wash can reduce soap scum build-up
Final Thoughts
Keeping your drains clear is essential for a trouble-free plumbing system. While DIY solutions can help with minor blockages, stubborn or recurring issues require professional attention. High-pressure jet blasting (hydro-jetting) is an effective way to clear tough blockages quickly and restore proper drainage.
At Vitality Plumbing, we specialise in diagnosing and resolving drain issues across Boolaroo, Warners Bay and the Lake Macquarie region. If you’re experiencing blocked drains or want to prevent future problems, get in touch with our expert team today.
Why Choose Vitality Plumbing As Your Local Drainage Plumbers?
There are many reasons to trust us with their plumbing needs, but here are just a few:
- 7 Years Of Experience
- Customer-Friendly Team
- Free, No-Obligation Quotes
- 1-Year Warranty On All Labour
- Level 4 Certified Plumbers
- Fully Qualified Gas Fitters
- Full Public Liability Insurance
- Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed
- All Work To Australian Standards & National Safety Codes