Blocked drains don’t just happen out of nowhere.
People usually think, “Oh no, the drain’s suddenly blocked!” But in most cases, it’s been building up for a while. It’s just that no one noticed the early signs.
It’s understandable to miss it. You’re busy. You’re not thinking about your drains when you’re trying to get the kids to school, cook dinner, or deal with all the other million things on your to-do list.
But catching these early warning signs is the key to stopping a small problem from turning into a big (and expensive) one.
Here are some common signs your drain is about to block
1. Slow Drainage
This one’s a classic sign. You turn off the tap and 20 seconds later, the water is still in the sink. It doesn’t drain quickly any more, and it seems to sit there longer than it used to.
It can be tempting just to ignore it and think that it’ll clear up on its own. But here’s what else could be happening
Your pipe could be starting to narrow. Grease, soap scum, hair, food scraps or whatever else down there has begun sticking to the inside of your pipe. Slowly, the area for water to pass through gets smaller and smaller.
Eventually, it can lead to a complete blockage. But before it does, this is a common early warning sign.
2. Gurgling Sounds
If your drains start making weird gurgling or bubbling sounds when the water goes down, this could be relevant for you.
What that sound really is, is air is trapped within the pipes. A healthy pipe lets water flow smoothly. But when there’s a partial blockage, water starts pushing through uneven gaps, pulling air with it.
If you’ve got a gurgling drain, that’s your clue that something is down there messing with the flow.
3. Bad Smells Coming from the Drain
You’ll never find a ‘drain-scented’ perfume.
But, there’s a difference between normal drain smells and the type of stink that makes you want to vomit down the drain.
Rotting food, grease, hair, and even mould can build up. When this debris starts to decompose, it can let out a stench that can kill a canary.
If it’s a kitchen drain, it’s often old food or grease. If it’s the bathroom, it’s likely a mix of hair and other debris. Either way, it’s a sign your drain could be starting to block, and it’s time to act.
4. Water Backing Up
This is when it gets a bit more serious. You wash your hands in the bathroom sink, and suddenly the water in the shower drain comes up. That’s not supposed to happen.
It means the water’s going down your pipe, hitting a blockage, then finding the next easiest way out. Through another connected drain.
This is your plumbing screaming that something is not right. It is absolutely important that this problem is addressed as soon as possible. Otherwise even more damage can come from this problem.
5. Toilet Water Rises
If there is a blockage in part of the toilet’s pipes or tubes, it can cause water to enter the tank. This would be seen as the toilet bowl rising more than it should.
This is important to treat because it can lead to more blockages later on.
6. You’ve Had a Blockage Recently
This one’s less of a sign and more of a pattern.
If your drain has already blocked in the last few months, and you didn’t do a deep clean or have a plumber fully clear it, it could build up again.
A lot of quick fixes don’t get to the root cause of the matter. It lets water through temporarily, but the underlying problem is still there.
If it’s happened more than once, it’s probably time to get a proper fix done.
7. Low Water Pressure
If you’re experiencing low water pressure, it could be as a result of a blocked drain. Blocked drains reduce the water flow, leading to water trickling down the pipe instead of flowing nicely.
How to Stop It Before It Starts
The good news is that most early signs of a blocked drain can be fixed with basic care:
- Use drain strainers to catch hair and food scraps
- Don’t pour grease or oil down the sink
- Avoid flushing wipes, even the “flushable” ones
- Brush your hair before you shower
- Get your drains professionally cleared once a year
If you catch these signs early and act on them, you’ll likely avoid bigger problems later on. But if you’re already seeing many signs it could mean it’s time to take a look at what’s going on.
Blocked drains don’t have to be a disaster. But most of the time, they don’t come out of nowhere. As they block, your house has been waving signs for weeks.
A weird noise here. A slow drain there. A smell you can’t quite place.
If you pay attention to these early warning signs, you can fix things before it turns into an expensive emergency callout.
And if you’re not sure, we’re happy to come take a look. You can apply for a free, no obligation quote here and prevent this problem from getting out of hand.
Just reach out, and we’ll help you figure out what’s going on and get your drains back to normal.
Let’s make plumbing something you’re proud of!
Plumbers Rockhampton 
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