Is it one drain or several?
If only one sink or shower is slow, the blockage is usually close to that fixture and often caused by hair, grease or soap. If several drains are slow at once, or water comes up in one drain when you use another, the problem may be further down the line and needs a plumber.
That simple check tells you a lot about how urgent the problem is.
Common causes of blocked drains
Kitchen sinks. Cooking oil and grease harden in pipes and trap food particles.
Bathroom basins. Hair, toothpaste and soap residue build up in the trap.
Showers and floor drains. Hair and soap scum are the usual causes. Floor drains can also collect sand.
Toilets. Wipes and sanitary products do not break down and cause blockages.
Older buildings. In some older Sharjah blocks, shared pipes and ageing drainage can make blockages more frequent.
Safe first steps
- Remove visible hair or debris from the drain cover. - Use a plunger on sinks and toilets. - Clean the bottle trap under the basin, with a bucket underneath. - Pour hot, not boiling, water down kitchen sinks to loosen grease.
Avoid mixing chemical drain cleaners, and avoid strong chemicals on older pipes. If one attempt does not work, stop and call a professional.
When to call a plumber
- Several drains are blocked at once. - Water backs up into another fixture. - There is a strong sewage smell. - The blockage returns soon after clearing. - Water leaks under the sink or around the toilet.
Plumbers can use drain snakes, high pressure jetting or cameras to find and clear blockages. For wider plumbing issues, see our Sharjah plumber guide.
Drains and pests
Neglected drains can attract cockroaches and drain flies. Keeping drains clear and covered helps. Our pest control guide for Sharjah explains why older buildings need extra attention.
Apartment buildings
If the blockage affects shared pipes or other units, contact building management. In rentals, check your contract for who handles drainage problems.
Get your drain cleared
Post the problem on Khalas.ae, saying which drains are affected and what you have tried. Registered plumbers in Sharjah can send offers, and you choose who you want to work with. See plumbers in Sharjah.