How to prevent blocked drains this winter
Winter on the Northern Beaches brings heavier rainfall, falling leaves, and colder ground temperatures that slow down grease breakdown. All of these increase the risk of blocked drains. Here are practical steps you can take now to avoid an emergency callout later.
- • Clear gutters and stormwater pits before May to handle heavier autumn rain.
- • Install drain strainers in showers and kitchen sinks — prevents most indoor blockages.
- • Never pour cooking oil or grease down the sink; it solidifies faster in winter.
- • Flush kitchen drains weekly with boiling water to melt grease before it hardens.
- • Book a CCTV drain inspection if your home is 20+ years old or has large trees nearby.
- • Warning signs: slow drainage, gurgling, smells, or water backing up when you flush.
Why winter is the worst season for blocked drains
During autumn and early winter, deciduous trees across Dee Why, Brookvale, and Frenchs Forest shed leaves into gutters, downpipes, and stormwater pits. Combined with increased rainfall, this debris creates blockages that can back up into your laundry, shower, or even living areas.
Grease from cooking also solidifies faster in cold pipes. What flows freely in summer can congeal into a solid plug within weeks when ground temperatures drop below 15 degrees — common across the Northern Beaches from May to August.
7 practical tips to keep your drains clear
1. Clear gutters and downpipe guards monthly
Remove accumulated leaves and debris from roof gutters before heavy rain. If you have gutter guards, check they haven't shifted or clogged. A blocked gutter overflows into wall cavities and foundations rather than the stormwater system.
2. Install drain strainers in showers and basins
A $5 silicone strainer catches hair, soap residue, and small objects before they enter the pipe. Clean them weekly. This single step prevents the majority of indoor blockages we see on callouts.
3. Never pour cooking oil or grease down the sink
Wipe pans with paper towel before washing. Pour cooled oil into a container and dispose of it in your general waste bin. Even "small amounts" accumulate inside pipe bends over winter.
4. Flush drains with boiling water weekly
Once a week, pour a full kettle of boiling water down your kitchen sink. The heat melts grease deposits before they harden. This costs nothing and takes 30 seconds.
6. Check your stormwater pits before May
Lift the grate on any ground-level stormwater pits in your yard. Remove sediment, leaves, and debris. If the pit is more than 50% full of silt, it needs a professional clean-out to prevent overflow during storms.
7. Book a preventative CCTV drain inspection
A camera inspection costs far less than an emergency blockage repair. We feed a camera through your main sewer line to check for tree root intrusion, pipe cracks, or grease buildup — and fix small issues before they become big ones.
Warning signs your drain is about to block
Blocked drains rarely happen without warning. If you notice any of these signs, call a plumber before the problem escalates:
Water draining slowly from sinks, showers, or baths
Gurgling sounds when water drains from one fixture while another is running
Unpleasant smells from floor drains or sink plug holes
Water backing up into the laundry trough or shower when you flush the toilet
Wet patches or unusually green grass over your sewer line
When to call a professional
If you have already tried basic clearing (plunger, boiling water, removing visible debris from the grate) and the drain is still slow or blocked, do not use chemical drain cleaners. They can damage older pipes and rarely clear the actual blockage — they just push it deeper.
A licensed plumber with an electric eel or high-pressure water jetter can clear the blockage properly and inspect the line with a camera to confirm no underlying damage. On the Northern Beaches, our blocked drain service includes a CCTV inspection with every clearing so you know exactly what caused the issue and whether it will recur.
Key takeaway
Fifteen minutes of preventative maintenance in April saves hours of emergency disruption in July. Clear your gutters, install drain strainers, never pour grease down the sink, and book a camera inspection if your home is more than 20 years old or has large trees nearby.