How to Clear a Blocked Drain (and When to Call a Plumber)

Published 2026-06-01 · Taupō Plumbers

Safe things to try first

• Boiling water (for metal or stoneware drains, not PVC) to soften grease
• A plunger over the plughole — cover the overflow first for suction
• Remove and clean the P-trap under a sink to clear hair and gunk
• Baking soda + hot water for mild build-up

What NOT to do

Go easy on caustic chemical drain cleaners — they can damage older pipes, don't shift solid blockages or tree roots, and make it hazardous for a plumber to work on the drain afterwards. Never force a blockage with sharp objects, and don't keep flushing a backing-up toilet.

Signs it's more than a simple clog

• Multiple drains slow or gurgling at once
• Water backing up into the shower or gully when you flush
• Bad smells from outside drains
• It keeps re-blocking after you clear it

These usually point to a blockage deeper in the line — often tree roots, a sag or a broken pipe — which needs proper gear to fix.

How a plumber clears it for good

We clear the blockage with the right equipment and, where it keeps happening, run a CCTV drain camera to see exactly what's going on underground. For stubborn grease and roots we use hydro jetting. That way we fix the cause — not just the symptom — so you're not calling us back next month.

How we can help

• Blocked drains & CCTV drain inspections
• 24/7 emergency plumber