4.7-Stars based on 201 Reviews

24/7 Emergency

Identifying Signs of a Blocked Drain

Recognising early signs of blocked drains is crucial to prevent severe plumbing issues. Indicators of blocked drains include:

  • Water draining slowly from sinks, tubs, or toilets
  • Gurgling sounds coming from drain pipes
  • Water backups, with sinks or tubs filling instead of draining
  • Unpleasant sewage odours emanating from drains

Minor clogs might only slightly disrupt water flow or produce soft noises, yet a fully blocked drain impedes wastewater from draining and demands immediate attention.

Common Causes of Drain Blockages

Several common culprits lead to blocked drains in homes and businesses:

  • Hair - Strands catch on pipes and can lead to a situation where debris builds into your pipe network, accumulating significant blockage over time.
  • Food waste - including fats, oils, and food scraps - accumulates, causing blockages.
  • Tree roots - Roots penetrate and grow into pipe systems, causing disruptions.
  • Toiletries - Excessive amounts of toilet paper, combined with hair, soaps, and hair products, create sticky accumulations.
  • Foreign objects - Items mistakenly flushed or washed down drains can cause blockages.
  • Grease and fat - Cooking oils solidify and coat pipes.

Proper drain inspection leading to the recognition of common clog sources will help maintain clear drains. Smart practices such as installing drain screens, minimising grease disposal, and avoiding flushing inappropriate items are essential. Be aware that even with careful maintenance, drains can develop clogs from regular use over time, potentially requiring intervention to clear your sewer lines. Catching problems early allows for easier clearing blocked drain efforts by your plumber before backups can happen and become more extensive.

DIY Methods to Detect Blockages

When tackling a minor drain blockage, homeowners can try several DIY methods to unblock drains before resorting to professional help:

Using a Plunger

Plunging can dislodge debris and break up small clogs. Position the plunger over the drain, plunge rapidly 10-15 times to drive water down and clear the blockage.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Combine one cup each of baking soda and vinegar, pouring the mixture down the drain - a trusted remedy for blockages.

Boiling Water

Carefully pouring boiling water down the drain can soften and move grease clogs. However, boiling water may risk cracking older or PVC pipes.

However, caution is vital to clear blocked drain safely, avoiding injury.

Although DIY methods may demonstrate some drainage improvements, their effectiveness is limited. Persistent problems after DIY efforts require professional plumbing services to tackle blocked sewer drains and conduct comprehensive inspections to prevent major property damage.

Drain Snakes and Augers

If a plunger fails to clear a blockage, the next solution is to use a drain snake, also known as an auger. This bendable device can reach deep into pipes and physically hook and extract built-up debris. To operate:

  1. Straighten the drain snake and gently insert it into the drain opening, around 15-25 centimetres, similar to an initial stage of water jetting.
  2. Crank the handle clockwise while applying gentle downward pressure to advance the cable further through the pipe.
  3. Once you feel resistance, which indicates an object causing blockage, carefully twist the snake to displace any collected debris, gently pulling back while turning the handle counter-clockwise.
  4. Remove all dislodged debris before running water to test drainage.

Be cautious not to scratch your pipes with the metal snake, ensuring you properly hook and extract blockages with careful use. Additionally, don’t force the cable if firmly stuck as this risks breaking the snake or pipes. If the auger fails to clear the blockage, cease efforts and contact a professional plumber to inspect and jet the drains.

While a drain auger is a handy DIY tool for minor clogs, it cannot compare to the efficacy of high-powered water jets, known as hydrojetters, used by plumbers to thoroughly clean full drain blockages. Persistent drainage issues that home methods cannot fix can cause serious damage and require professional equipment and expertise to resolve.

Professional Tools for Identification

When DIY methods fail to clear a blocked drain, professional plumbing tools offer superior effectiveness in detecting and resolving issues. Two key tools plumbers rely on are CCTV drain inspections and safe excavation capabilities.

CCTV Drain Inspections

Using high-tech drain cameras, plumbers obtain a visual understanding of any blockages within the drainage system. As the camera snakes through the line, it helps to determine cause and exact location of any blockages, which become clear on a monitor. This allows plumbers to pinpoint specific problem areas.

CCTV inspections pinpoint whether tree root infiltration, collapsed sections, grease accumulation, or other impediments exist. Recorded footage assists plumbers in identifying the reasons for a blocked drain, guiding decisions on pipe relining, cleaning, or targeted repairs.

Safe Excavation

For repairs on outside drain lines, plumbers utilise professional excavation tools for safe and efficient digging. This grants access without damaging your property’s yard or landscaping.

Plumbers use backhoes, mini excavators, trenchers, and jackhammers to carefully unearth sections of the drainage system. Plumbers can also inspect lines and joints, replace damaged elements, clear invasive tree roots, and refill holes after completing external drainage repairs.

Trusting in professional grade plumbing gear, as opposed to basic DIY approaches, aids in maintaining your drainage system effectively, thus avoiding hit-and-miss attempts with your plumbing. Tailored CCTV and excavation services, combined with professional know-how, ensure and reinstate effective drainage.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While DIY methods can resolve minor drain blockages, it is crucial to call a professional plumber immediately if you experience:

  • Complete clogging - Drains completely backed up with no water able to pass.
  • Persistent odours - Pungent sewage smells continuing after attempts to clear.
  • Visible sewage - Water visibly overflowing from drain openings, indicating waste hasn’t been flushed away properly.
  • Multiple affected drains cause concern – when more than one fixture is clogged, it indicates a main line issue.
  • Previous plumbing repairs - Earlier work on drain lines could be failing.
  • Roof leaks - Potential pipe damage allowing debris intrusion.

For skilled help, consider the dependable services of Chatswood Plumbing, available 24/7 for blocked drain emergencies. Calling 1300 349 338 immediately when DIY drain unblocking methods fail brings our team of licensed technicians to your doorstep to:

  • Conduct a detailed drain camera inspection using the latest pipe scanning technology through CCTVs.
  • Clear stubborn blockages safely with high pressure water hydrojetting.
  • Provide complete solutions from drain repairs to full replacements.
  • Limit property damages from sewage backups.

Don’t delay - severe pipe clogging left untreated may damage your pipes, cause flooded properties, foul odours, and potential contact with hazardous sewage. Give us your trust at Chatswood Plumbing to restore full drainage functionality.

Preventing Future Blockages

Implementing effective preventative measures is crucial for avoiding recurring drain blockages in the drains your home in Chatswood. This saves on costly repairs while protecting your plumbing system.

Install Drain Screens

Fitting drain screens over plugholes in your sink drain, your shower, and tubs prevents loose hair and debris passing into pipes. Regularly cleanse all your screens to protect your pipes before any buildup occurs. Choosing wisely for drain health involves avoiding harsh chemicals, preferring gentler alternatives that preserve pipe integrity.

Limit Grease and Food Waste

For food items, delve into 'how do I approach sustainable disposal of this waste?' and utilise composting and trash whenever possible.

These substances can form stubborn solid masses in pipes.

Manage Personal Hygiene Items

Accumulated hair and skin cells in drains require regular cleaning to remove excess debris. Where practical, contain shed hair to trash receptacles after brushing and bathing.

Regulate use of hair care products on your own, including hair soap, bath oils, and dense conditioners to shield your drains from potential clogs. Also, restrict washing large amounts of hair down fixtures.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

Even diligently kept drains sometimes need comprehensive cleaning to remove blockages. Have Chatswood Plumbing’s skilled technicians get your drains thoroughly inspected with periodic hydrojetting and CCTV to keep pipes pristine and clear. Annual servicing, which our guide to drain maintenance recommends, removes any built-up contaminants missed through daily precautions against blockages.

Vigilantly following these measures reduces the risk of obstructions. However, if you encounter an issue with your sewer line, call us for rapid response services to restore your drains. Call us immediately if DIY efforts fail so we can prevent escalation into major pipe or property damage.

News & Information

Detect Blocked Drains Fast
Detect Blocked Drains Fast

Blocked drains can cause nasty odors, leaks and damage. Our plumbers use state-of-the-art CCTV drain cameras to detect clogs quickly. We guarantee fast, effective drain unclogging with advanced methods. Call now for drain cleaning services.

Pipe Relining Fixes Smelly Bathroom Drains
Pipe Relining Fixes Smelly Bathroom Drains

Persistent bad smells coming from your bathroom drains indicate a blockage that requires fixing. Pipe relining is the fastest, least invasive way to resolve foul drain odors for good. Call a professional plumber today to stop bad bathroom smells with pipe relining.

Selecting emergency plumber Sydney
Selecting the best emergency plumber in Sydney

In a plumbing crisis, a trustworthy, reputable emergency plumber is essential. One who is qualified, experienced and can arrive equipped with everything needed to promptly fix burst pipes, leaks and more within 155 characters.

Do you need a Chatswood plumber?

Shield

Address

Chatswood, 2067 NSW

Contact Our Plumbers

We will call back as soon as possible.

Plumber
Footer
Call Now!