Eastern Suburbs Plumbing Projects

How to Unblock a Drain: Signs, DIY Fixes & When to Call a Plumber

one of the Mint Plumbing and Relining Trucks

Blocked drains can cause serious damage if left unchecked. Learn how to recognise early signs, safely unblock your drains using DIY methods, and know when it’s time to call in the professionals. Get practical tips to prevent plumbing emergencies at home or work.

Bondi plumbers clearing a blocked drain.

How to Spot a Blocked Drain

Blocked drains often start small, but catching the issue early can prevent larger problems down the track. Here are the most common signs to watch out for:

 

  • Slow-Draining Sinks or Showers: If water is draining slower than usual, there’s likely a blockage somewhere.
  • Unpleasant Smells: Foul odours from your drain are usually a sign of trapped waste.
  • Gurgling Noises: If you hear strange noises coming from the pipes, it’s often air trapped behind a clog.
  • Water Backing Up: If water rises up through your sinks or toilets, this could indicate a serious blockage.


If you notice any of these, don’t wait. Call us at (02) 9139 8003 before the problem worsens.

What You Can Do About Blocked Drains

If the issue seems minor, there are a few things you can try before calling a plumber:

 

  • Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners: These can damage your pipes, especially older systems.
  • Try boiling water or baking soda and vinegar: These natural remedies can break down small clogs.
  • Plunge or Snake the Drain: If the clog isn’t too deep, a plunger or drain snake might help.
  • Call a Licensed Plumber: If the blockage persists or keeps coming back, it’s best to get professional help to prevent further damage.

 

If you’re not sure or the issue persists, don’t hesitate to contact Mint Plumbing & Relining.

Emergency Plumbing for Blocked Drains

A blocked drain can quickly become an emergency, especially if it’s causing water to back up or flooding your home or business. If you’re experiencing a sudden blockage, it’s important to act fast. Mint Plumbing & Relining offers emergency plumbing services for blocked drains, ensuring you get quick, professional help when you need it most. Our team is on call to provide immediate solutions and prevent further damage to your property.

Take Action Before It Gets Worse

Ignoring blocked drains can lead to bigger issues, such as burst pipes or flooding. If you’re dealing with frequent blockages, bad smells, or water backup, it’s time to get professional help. Early intervention can save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

 

Don’t wait until the problem worsens. Call Mint Plumbing & Relining for fast and reliable assistance. We’ll clear your drains and ensure everything is running smoothly.

Why Choose Mint Plumbing & Relining?

At Mint Plumbing & Relining, we understand how frustrating plumbing issues can be. Our expert team offers quick, reliable solutions for everything from drain inspections to pipe relining. Whether you’re dealing with a minor blockage or a major drainage issue, we have the expertise to get the job done right.

 

We’re trusted by homeowners and businesses across Sydney, including those with older plumbing systems in the Eastern Suburbs. Our goal is to help you avoid costly repairs by addressing issues early. Let us solve your plumbing problems quickly and efficiently.

 

Get in touch with our expert team today before your blocked drain turns into an emergency!

Mint Plumbing and Relining Team at Bondi Beach enjoying the sunshine

Service Areas

Our team proudly serves Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, from Watsons Bay to Maroubra, Randwick to Rose Bay, and everywhere in between.

Whether you’re in Bondi, Coogee, Paddington, or Potts Point, you can rely on Mint Plumbing & Relining for fast, local service, with a $0 call-out fee throughout the Eastern Suburbs.

 

Wherever you’re located in the east, we’ve got your plumbing needs covered.

Row of plumbing trucks in Bondi, ready to assist in the Eastern Suburbs.

Customer Testimonials

EXCELLENT
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Based on 539 reviews
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Martin
9 October 2026
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Jamie and Kim provided respectful and friendly service from quote, planning, communications to quality work. Highly recommend Mint Plumbing. Updating my review as I used Mint again for another job ... Fantastic 5-star service from Ben, Lukus, and Robbie! They tackled a complex, slow-draining kitchen sink that required jet cleaning and pipe relining. They went absolutely above and beyond—even crawling on his stomach in a tight space under the house to fix the drop of the pipe run. Prompt, highly skilled, and completely dedicated to getting the job done right. Couldn't recommend them more highly!
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J P
9 October 2026
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Yvan,
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Angelo Rossi
9 October 2026
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We had a gas leak yesterday and called this company for help. Two guys came out, and they were absolutely brilliant—punctual, professional, and incredibly efficient. While the company overall provided great service, the absolute star of the job was Tom. He was the main person we dealt with the entire time. Tom went above and beyond, answering all of our questions and explaining everything clearly, all with a smile. On top of his excellent technical work, his good manners and polite attitude made a stressful situation so much easier to handle. The company is lucky to have him representing them. If you use this business, ask for Tom!
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Alice Pears
8 October 2026
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George from Mint plumbing provided superior service today. He went above and beyond to successfully diagnose a leak that was a bit of a complex one. He communicated every step of the way and managed expectations. We felt like we were in very safe hands. Thanks for the help George.
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Julian Kuo
8 October 2026
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Yvan delivered a fast and efficient service, and communicated clearly throughout his work. Highly recommended.
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Philip Wheeler profile picture
Philip Wheeler
8 October 2026
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I’m extremely happy with the service I received - prompt, friendly and professional. I shall definitely recommend Mint to friends in need of help with plumbing
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Matthew Sanchez
8 October 2026
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George The Legend
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Emma Henderson
6 October 2026
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George was fantastic and extremely helpful in a time sensitive situation with our faulty washing machine. He was very polite and helped run us through our options after fixing the issue. We would 100% recommend.
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Amy Wood
5 October 2026
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Had George come do a job at our place. Amazing work, very happy with his service.