Blocked toilets in Melbourne homes
Renters: it's an urgent repair
A blocked or broken toilet system is on Victoria's legal list of urgent repairs, which rental providers must have done immediately. If yours doesn't respond, you can arrange a repair costing no more than $2,500 and be repaid within 7 days of asking in writing.
Shared pipes in units
At the 2021 Census, 16.2% of Greater Melbourne's occupied homes were townhouses, terraces or semis and 15.6% were flats or apartments. South East Water says shared private sewer pipes in an owners' corporation aren't its responsibility.
If in doubt, bin it
Greater Western Water's advice is to look for the flushable symbol on a product. No symbol, or not sure? It goes in the bin.
Right now
Stop flushing
Another flush only adds a full cistern of water to a bowl that's already struggling. Turn the toilet's stop tap off if you can reach it.
Run a basin
If the basin or shower drains normally, the trouble is probably in the toilet. If water rises or gurgles elsewhere, suspect the drain.
Look outside
Check the overflow relief gully and the inspection shaft. Greater Western Water reads overflow that happens only while water is in use as a sign the blockage is in your own pipes.
Renters: ring, then write
Use the emergency repair number you were given when you moved in, then confirm the request in writing so there's a dated record.
Pan or drain: what changes
A pan blockage usually comes out with a toilet auger. Something solid wedged in the bend can mean lifting the pan off the floor and working from behind. Our national blocked toilets page explains both.
A drain blockage is a bigger job, and in Melbourne it brings in your water company's rules. A plumber should check whether the blockage is in your pipe or the company's before clearing it, because South East Water and Greater Western Water only repay costs for blockages referred to them. Our Melbourne blocked drains page sets out each company's rules.
In a block of units, tell the plumber if your neighbours are having trouble too. South East Water calls a drain that serves several properties a privately owned sewerage pipe, so the owners' corporation may need to be involved.
Questions for the plumber
- Was it in the pan, or further down the drain?
- Did you find anything that explains why it blocked?
- If it was the drain, is that my pipe, a shared one, or the water company's?
- Is anything damaged that will block again?
What we would do
Stop flushing, test one other drain and look at the gully before you ring anyone. If the rest of the house drains normally, it's a pan job and often a short visit. If other fixtures or the gully are acting up, say so when you ask for help: you need someone who clears drains as well as toilets. Renters, report it as urgent and in writing. We'd match you with a plumber who clears blocked toilets and drains every week.