Blocked sink and shower drains Gold Coast

A blocked shower drain or a kitchen sink that won't empty is usually hair, soap or fat in the trap. Here's what's safe to try first.

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Safe things to try first

Clear the grate or plug
Lift the shower grate or basin plug and pull out hair and soap with gloves or a plastic drain tool.
Hot, not boiling, water
Run hot tap water for a minute to soften soap and fat. Boiling water can damage PVC pipes and some sink seals.
Plunge it
Block the overflow hole with a wet cloth, then use a cup plunger over the drain.
Clean the trap
Under a kitchen sink or basin, put a bucket under the U-shaped trap, unscrew it by hand and clear it out.

Shower and basin: Hair bound together with soap scum is by far the most common cause.
Kitchen sink: Fat, oil and food scraps cool and stick to the pipe wall, narrowing it over time.
Laundry: Lint and sand from clothes, especially near the beach.
Further down: If several fixtures are affected, the blockage is in the main drain, not the trap.

Does baking soda and vinegar work?

It can freshen a slow drain, but it rarely clears a real blockage. It's safer than chemical cleaners.

Why does my shower gurgle when the toilet flushes?

That usually means a blockage or venting problem further down the shared drain. Call a plumber rather than plunging.

How do I stop fat blocking the kitchen sink?

Wipe pans with paper towel before washing, pour cooled fat into the bin, and use a sink strainer for food scraps.

Get a blocked sink or shower on the Gold Coast cleared by a licensed local plumber. Or leave your number and they'll ring you.

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