Stop Using the Affected Fixtures
This is the most important step. If a drain is blocked, every litre of water you send into the system has to go somewhere — usually back up another drain or out onto the floor. Stop using toilets, sinks and showers connected to the blocked line immediately.
Locate Your Water Shut-Off
Know where your water meter and shut-off valve is. If sewage is backing up or you have a burst pipe alongside the blockage, turning off the water buys you time.
Check Your Inspection Opening
Most Sydney homes have a ground-level inspection opening (IO) — a concrete or plastic cap in the garden or near the house exterior. If you can safely open it and the IO is not overflowing, water flow through it confirms the blockage is between the IO and the house. If the IO is full, the problem is downstream.
What Not to Do
- Don't use drain-clearing chemicals for a full blockage — they typically don't work and create a hazardous chemical environment for the plumber
- Don't flush the toilet repeatedly hoping it will clear
- Don't use a plunger on a blocked toilet that's at overflow level
Sewage Overflow: Health and Safety
Sewage contains pathogens. If you have overflow inside the home, keep people and pets away from the affected area, open windows and minimise contact. Wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly after any contact.
Call Us
Sydney Drain Fix provides emergency callouts across greater Sydney. Tell us if sewage has overflowed — we'll prioritise accordingly.