Smelly, blocked drains can cause significant damage and be a major inconvenience to live with. As a recurring problem for many homeowners in Sydney, you must learn to correctly identify a blockage, locate potential issues, and rectify them with the help of professional plumbers if need be. To this end, Crucial Plumbing’s expert technicians have prepared this post to help with clogged or blocked drains.
Signs Indicating a Blocked Drain
These can be gradual or develop overnight; either way, these red flags are concerning, and you must take action As soon as possible.
1. Smell
If your sink or drain hole has a bad odour, it could be due to the clogging of the drainpipe by household waste matter such as hair, paper, or fat. They fester and block the flow of water, causing a stinking smell.
2. Overflow
Overflowing sinks can cause extensive damage to your home. Another menace is overflowing toilets. To prevent such unpleasant cases, you can gauge manholes and outdoor drains for signs of overflowing, of course from a safe distance, and report to your local plumbers.
3. Gurgling Noises
Gurgling and other odd sounds from drains, pipes, and sinks indicate water flowing around a blockage and trapped air.
4. Slow Drainage
In case the water in toilet bowls, sinks, showers, and baths is slow to empty, forms backwash or bubbles or pools, then it is probably due to blocked drains. The water flow is obstructed that slows down drainage. If multiple fixtures are affected simultaneously, then the blockage can be located further down the main sewer drain.
These general indicators need to be looked at professionally so that the right fix can be applied. But what gets drains blocked in the first place?
Reasons for Blocked Drains
To avoid hassles, keep an eye out and prevent any of the below-mentioned factors which are the major culprits of blockage/s in the drains.
1. Tree roots
If you are fond of gardening and have one at home, then be careful so that roots do not break into pipes through hairline cracks, especially if the pipes are old. Old clay pipes are more vulnerable so get regular checking done by professional plumbers.
2. Toiletries
You will be amazed to know how high the statistics are for toiletries causing blocked drains. As per reports by Sydney Water, 75% of sewer blockages were caused by flushed wet pipes! Other objects such as sanitary napkins, tissue papers, and loo paper lead to severe blockages. So, remember to properly dispose of these items.
3. Oil
Cooking oil, grease, and fat can form coatings on pipes and ‘fatbergs’, causing obstructions and blocked drains.
4. Hair
These are one of the major causes of clogged drains in showers and bathtubs.
5. Mineral deposits
Mineral build-ups can constrict pipes and lead to blocked drains. Regular descaling or installing water softeners in hard water areas can prevent such build-ups and protect the pipes.
6. Natural Debris
Heavy rains, storms, or seasonal leaf drops cause gutters and garden grills to fill up with soil, leaves, and other natural objects. If not cleared, this pile of debris blocks pipes and drains.
Some solutions to clear Blocked Drains
Given below are some of the most effective tips for blocked drain remedies.
1. Boiling Water
In a simple and straight way, it breaks down grease, soap, and other items that make lumps, loosening blockages. Mixing with detergent makes it doubly effective against greasy materials.
Pro tip: For PVC pipes, choose hot water instead of boiling water.
2. Cup Plungers
A natural, non-chemical way of de-clogging pipes and drains, this helps create an air-based force that moves obstructions. However, it is not very effective against mineral build-ups and grease.
3. Caustic Cleaners
Not very environment-friendly but is quite helpful against tougher objects such as grease and hair. But remember to flush out chemical residues with cold water afterward. It is also not recommended for old pipes or PVC pipes.
4. Hydro Jets
High-pressure water jets are very useful as they can move even the strongest of blockages like the ones caused by tree roots. But the high force requires professional handling so plumbers should operate them.
5. Plumber’s Drain Snake
Also known as “Eel”, this helps to remove blockages found near the drain’s opening. Possessing a longer range than a handheld drain, this is a professional tool that yields the best results when handled by an expert.
6. Excavation
Major damage will require the plumber to dig the area around the damage, followed by repairing the damage and replacement of the pipe and backfill.
7. Pipe Relining
In some cases, a professional plumber will reline the existing old pipes at economic rates. This is increasingly becoming popular among people who have gardens and do not wish to damage them.
For advice on how to fix blocked drains, it is best to work with professional plumbers. Call Crucial Plumbing for help with blockages and a range of commercial and residential plumbing services including gas repairs, tap installations, and roof leaks.
Contact us:
Phone: (02) 8041 4999
Email: info@crucialplumbing.com.au
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