Blocked drains in Brisbane

Tell us what the drain is doing

Start with the symptom. Is it slow? Is water backing up? Is one fixture affected or are several drains playing up? A short description gives us a better start than "drain issue".

The location matters too. A kitchen sink in a home is one thing. A blocked toilet in a ground-floor tenancy, with water running toward a public area, is another.

A photo or short video can help if it is safe to take one. So can a note about whether the problem comes back after rain, after busy periods or at the same fixture every time.

Caution: Do not pour chemicals into a drain that is backing up.

Three ways we can help

Clear the blockage

Sometimes the drain needs clearing and that is the work. We will get to the problem area, deal with the blockage and let you know what we found.

This is the right path for a one-off issue where the drain has a clear, immediate problem and there is no sign of a bigger fault.

Investigate a recurring drain problem

A drain that blocks again needs more than another guess. Build-up, tree roots, damaged pipework, a bad fall or an object in the line can all cause trouble. The only useful answer comes from looking at the actual drain.

We can investigate the issue and explain what is causing it where that can be established. You then know whether the drain needs repair work or simply clearing.

Read why a drain keeps blocking if you want a quick overview before calling.

Scope a drain repair

Once the problem is known, repair work can be scoped separately. It may involve a section of pipe, a damaged junction, an access point or work outside the building.

Keeping repair scoping separate is useful. It lets you deal with today's blockage first, then make a call on the longer-term work with a clear picture of what is involved.

Homes, shops and managed buildings

Drainage does not care whether the property is a house, unit, warehouse or retail site. The practical side changes though.

At a home, tell us the affected fixture and where the drain runs if you know. Keep people away from an overflow and stop using the fixtures feeding it.

At a commercial property, let us know if the area is customer-facing, part of a kitchen or hard to get into during the day. We can plan around the premises rather than arrive blind.

At a strata building, the first thing to pin down is the affected area. A common drain, a lot, a riser or an external gully can all be part of the picture. Body corporate and strata plumbing covers the wider maintenance work we do in those buildings.

Facilities teams can also bring recurring drainage trouble into a planned maintenance discussion. That is useful when the same section of a site keeps causing grief.

What to send

Keep it simple:

• property address and the exact area
• what is backing up, draining slowly or overflowing
• when you first noticed it
• whether it has happened before
• a contact who can point us to the right spot
• photos or old drain information if it helps

If you only have half of that, send it anyway. We can ask the rest when we talk.

When it is urgent

An overflow needs people kept clear and fixtures stopped where possible. Tell us if water is close to electrical gear, moving into occupied rooms or coming from more than one place.

For a burst pipe or uncontrolled water issue, go to emergency plumbing. For a blocked toilet that is contained, see what to do with a blocked toilet.

FAQ

Can you clear a blocked drain without doing repair work?

Yes. Clearing is available as its own path. We will tell you if the drain shows signs that it needs a closer look.

Why does the same drain keep blocking?

Something in the line may be causing it. An investigation can find the cause before repair work is discussed.

Do you work on drains at commercial and strata properties?

Yes. Tell us where the issue is and anything that affects getting to it.

Get the drain moving again

Send the address, affected area and a short description of what is happening. Request drain help, or call for urgent plumbing help if the issue is actively overflowing.