It’s easy to forget that everything we pour or flush down the drain ends up somewhere – and unfortunately, many everyday habits are doing long-term damage to household plumbing across Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, and the Southern Highlands.

Blocked drains don’t usually happen overnight. In most cases, clogs build up slowly over time. So, by the time you start noticing slow drains, strange gurgling sounds or bad smells, there’s already a bigger issue forming out of sight.

Here are some of the most common bad habits that could be messing with your plumbing:

• Pouring cooking oil, grease or fat down the sink
  It might seem like a quick clean-up, but once that grease cools, it hardens and sticks to the inside of your pipes. Over time, it builds up and traps other debris too.

• Flushing wet wipes – even the so-called “flushable” ones
  These don’t break down like toilet paper. They often get caught on pipe joints or tree roots and can create some seriously nasty blockages.

• Tipping milk or other dairy products down the sink
  Yep, it’s not just fat or solids that are the problem. Dairy can turn sour, thicken in your pipes, and mess with wastewater systems.

• Letting food scraps, rice or coffee grounds go down the drain
  These swell when wet and are known for clogging up kitchen sinks and pipes. They might seem small, but they add up fast.

• Flushing paper towels, sanitary items or cotton buds
  These don’t dissolve in water like toilet paper does. They can snag, clump together and block pipes completely.

If your drains are gurgling, smells are creeping in, or water isn’t draining like it should, it might be time to get things checked properly. At Waterite Plumbing & Sealing, we use CCTV drain cameras , locating equipment and high-pressure jet blasts to find and clear blockages before they get worse – without the guesswork.

With $0 call-out fees, free quotes, upfront fixed pricing and 24/7 emergency aftercare, we make it easy to get your plumbing back on track.

Need help? Reach out anytime – we’re ready when you are.