7 Ways to Clear a Blocked Drain
- Without sugar-coating the situation, blocked drains are downright disgusting and it brings along with it serious issues that every homeowner might experience if they don’t do something about it right away. If you’re a homeowner, you’re no exception!
- From tree roots to broken lines and toiletries, they’re all terrible at making the drains inoperable. That’s why understanding exactly how each issue comes about will give homeowners an opportunity to better guard against it. And when the plunger just won’t do the job, here’s what you need to know to fix the problem for good.
Common Reasons for Blocked Drains and How to Clear Them?
- #1 Tree roots
- Tree roots are known to be the number one cause of severe blockage and clogs in water and sewer mains. It’s also often the reason why the sewer line completely fails. While it’s more common to find tree roots ravaging the pipes of homes built many decades ago, they can also find their way into systems of any age. Many experts agree that the first sign of tree root penetration into the sewer or water line is a gurgling sound. You will often notice this in toilets as they work to push sewage down the lines. Instead of freely flowing down the line, it pushes back, hence those weird sounds. When this is going on in your home, then it’s an obvious sign that you should advise a professional blocked drain cleaning Sydney.
- To a tree, your home’s sewer line is storage of nutrients and water essential for its growth. If your pipe has a crack or even a small leak, roots from nearby may sense this weak spot and skillfully grow towards it and into the holes and gaps in the pipes. To make matters worse, these thin roots will run along the surface of your pipe, and in no time will double or triple their lengths and width to the point of completely blocking the pipe.
- If you live in a woody area, or where there are many sprawling trees nearby, it’s important to keep an eye for any tree root growing towards your property or where the sewer lies. Some appreciate a yearly video inspection because they understand that the price is significantly lower than fixing the issue.
- How to fix blocked drain from tree roots?
- If you suspect you have a problem with tree roots penetrating your pipeline, our blocked drain Sydney experts can come and get a first-hand look at the problem and provide recommendations on how to best address tree roots so they won’t go back anymore.
- #2 Hair
- You probably don’t know the importance of brushing your hair before showering or picking up loose hair on your shower floor, but doing so can save you thousands of dollars on blocked drain repair. Humans shed about 50-100 hair strands daily because of many reasons and guess what? Most hair shedding happens in the shower and when combing your hair. Hair has a knack for sliding through the tiny holes in the drain filters, so leaving them on the floor when you’re taking a shower will give them an opportunity to make their way to the drainpipe, ball up and combine with other debris to make a massive buildup.
- How to fix blocked drain from loose hair?
- If it concerns you that you might have a buildup of hair, snake them right away. You can also ask a plumber to do this for you if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself or you’re afraid you might cause more mess and damage than resolve the problem.
- #3 Natural debris
- Never underestimate natural debris from plants, trees, dust and dirt because they can also be an issue for your outdoor drains, especially during spring and winter where heavy rainfall and snow instances occur. This occurrence is not always predictable and can happen in a flash. While they are vital in water systems, when heavy rain and snow melt at a severe rate, they discharge water in an uncontrolled manner and take with them this natural debris that is notorious for blocking drains. Therefore your garden and drain maintenance play a big role in keeping the capacity of your water drains and pipes. It’s the least you can do to avoid a blocked drain situation caused by these natural occurrences that you cannot control.
- How to fix this blocked drain from natural debris?
- Clearing a blocked stormwater drain or blocked outdoor drain from natural debris can be a difficult task for you especially if you don’t have the right tools and skills to do it. If this is a situation in your home, call the experts instead to clear the blocks and keep the drains opening free from natural debris. You might just be able to clear the clogs yourself if it’s within a manual plumber’s snake’s reach, but if not, you need the expert’s hands.
- #4 Grease build-up
- It’s important to know that greasy particles don’t leave the pipes as easily as you would expect, they can linger inside the pipes and eventually accumulate to the extent that no water can pass through. Fats, grease and oil are just terrible to your drains so anything you can do to keep them away will do you a huge favour in the long run.
- How to Fix Blocked Drains from Grease Build-up?
- You can have great success in clearing clogs caused by grease with concentrated liquid dish soap and baking soda followed by boiling water. To avoid dealing with the pesky consequences of your favourite fried foods, pour used oil into a recyclable jar and dispose of them properly. It also helps to keep this grease away by wiping off your kitchenware first with a paper towel before you wash them in the sink. But if your attempt to clear it with a home remedy won’t work magic, hire a professional that offers Sydney drain services. They can clear the grease off permanently, leaving no chance for other debris to wind up on it anymore.
- #5 Toiletries
- We can’t blame people if they get into the habit of disposing of toiletries such as nappies and baby wipes down the drain. But keep in mind, if you’re also doing it, you might be faced with a bigger problem in your drain pipe or sewers. Nappies and baby wipes are two common causes of the fatberg in drainage and sewer systems after being flushed down the toilets. Their product label might say they’re flushable, but they don’t dissolve. They only immerse with water, absorb the moisture, swell and block the flow of the water.
- How to fix blocked drains from toiletries?
- This way of disposing of toiletries is dreadful not only for your sewer lines but as well as for the environment. That’s why in your home these items should be disposed of in the garbage properly. If it’s already too late to place a designated garbage bin for these toiletries and you reckon that soon enough you might run into sewer issues because of these, ask a blocked sewer drain or blocked sewer pipe professional for inspection and clear any obstructions right away.
- #6 Fractured Pipes
- A broken sewer line can mean bad news for your home. This happens when tree roots break into cracks in your pipes and normal wear and tear. Foreign objects that have made it through the drains can also be to blame. As soon as the pipe begins to fracture, its capacity to allow the water to pass through is no longer reliable. It becomes more vulnerable to blockages than pipes that are intact.
- How to fix blocked drains from fractured pipes?
- Unless the broken pipe is exposed, it can be hard to diagnose this issue. It becomes an even greater problem if it is in a tight space. So, if you suspect there may be a fracture in your pipes, it’s best to ask a plumber to come out for professional leak detection and clear the blockages.
- #7 Foreign Objects
- From children’s toys to soap and food that doesn’t break down, dental floss, and other items that are not meant to be flushed down the toilet, or the sinks, are likely to cause immediate blockage. Whether purposely or accidentally, such items and the like shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet or washed down the drain for this reason.
- How to fix blocked drains from foreign objects?
- Educate your children about what they should and should not put down the toilet. Ensure you dispose of food scraps and waste properly, rather than tossing them down the drain, and be cautious of anything you put on top of your toilet tank that may cause a blocked toilet drain.
What should you do?
If you’re concerned about the condition of your drains or you’re experiencing slow drainage, call us asap to get a close look at the blockage with our drain camera and clear them for good.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
Pipe Relining
Sewer Relining: Keeping Up with the Times in the Hustle and Bustle of Growing Sydney
By admin
/ June 11, 2024
Nestled along the gorgeous coastline of southeastern Australia, Sydney, the capital city of New South Wales, is a bustling and...
Read More
blog
Plumbing Diaries in Sydney: The Wonderful Benefits of Drain Relining
By admin
/ May 8, 2024
In Sydney's bustling metropolis, where modern living meets the limitations of ageing infrastructure, new solutions are critical to maintaining the...
Read More
blog
Safeguarding Your Plumbing System Through CCTV Pipe Inspection in Sydney
By admin
/ April 15, 2024
What happens to something when it’s being used daily? It wears out, the same goes with the plumbing. Eventually, it...
Read More
blog
Extending Lifespan of Your Sewer Line Through Sewer Pipe Relining
By admin
/ April 9, 2024
A good working condition sewer system is the backbone of a well-maintained property, capable of holding up years and even...
Read More
blog
Modern Solutions for Pipe Repair: The Upsides of No-Dig Pipe Repair in Sydney
By admin
/ March 14, 2024
When it comes to plumbing, problems like broken sewer lines or clogged pipes have traditionally been synonymous with disruptive and...
Read More
blog
Transformative Pipe Relining Solutions in Sydney: Resolving Blocked Toilet Woes
By admin
/ March 8, 2024
In a city that blends iconic heritage with modern architecture, maintaining the integrity of plumbing systems in both old and...
Read More
blog
How to get away from blocked drain problems this summer
By admin
/ February 7, 2024
Experts recently warned of climate change and its tendency to exhibit extreme conditions than ever before - that means, without...
Read More
blog
Signs it’s Time to Call the Pipe Relining in Sydney Experts
By admin
/ February 1, 2024
Let’s face it, when your plumbing stops doing its job, your daily life at home is significantly affected for the...
Read More
blog Pipe Relining
Pipe Relining: Sectional Patch Repair in 50mm PVC Pipe Sealing a Screw Hole
By admin
/ April 12, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlN2BV0BUh0 Today, we're doing a 50mm patch on the floorbase of a veranda. A screw has been drilled through the...
Read More
blog Pipe Relining
Example Of Why A Junction Patch Is So Important!
By admin
/ April 12, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_O_UAAEi_A Here is some pipe re-lining work installed by another company. This is the perfect example of when a junction...
Read More
blog Pipe Relining
No Dig Pipe Repair at a Residential Property | Inversion Relining + 2 x Junction Patches + 2 x Cuts
By admin
/ April 12, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcOkKuDyQtM&t=15s In this video, we've completely realigned all the drains on a residential property. Right now we're filming from a stack...
Read More
blog Pipe Relining
Relining Solutions To Repair A Boundary Trap!
By admin
/ April 12, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT0mSZ4sT0E Hello there, welcome to the Revolution! Here you'll see our expert team relining a boundary trap.Our liner goes down the...
Read More
blog Pipe Relining
Sewer Relining a Vertical Shaft With 10 Changes of Direction! This Was a Very Technical Job!
By admin
/ March 29, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_0yXNgeirM Line's been thoroughly cleaned and sanded out. See all the cracks very clearly, the tree roots are getting in....
Read More
blog Pipe Relining
How To Install a Junction Patch By Revolution Pipe Relining
By admin
/ March 29, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_TLEASohgkToday we're going to show you how we install and wet out a junction patch. This is a T-junction we're...
Read More
blog Pipe Relining
PLUMBERS and BUILDERS! Don’t Dig Up The Street On A New Build! Save Time and Money By Relining The Sewer
By admin
/ March 28, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9xWuGW83C0 Did you know on a new build you don't need to replace the pipes all the way to the...
Read More
blog
5 Reasons You Can Rely on Pipe Relining Western Sydney Professionals to Fix Damaged Pipes
By admin
/ September 13, 2022
If you want to be on top of your plumbing, it’s a good idea to have a number on the...
Read More
blog
Trenchless Pipe Relining Specialist – How to Know You’re Hiring the Right One?
By admin
/ September 6, 2022
Almost always, hiring a plumber requires little to no effort. You ring them, educate them about the problem, they come...
Read More
blog
Is Professional Pipe Relining an Option for your Damaged Drains and Sewer Pipes in Eastern Suburbs?
By admin
/ September 5, 2022
In the past, if your home’s pipe or sewage system needed repair, it would involve excavating your yard and destroying...
Read More
blog
Do You Need Your Drains and Sewer Lines Repaired But Don’t Want to Ruin your Landscape, Northern Beaches Trenchless Pipe Relining is the Solution
By admin
/ August 29, 2022
When you need premier pipe relining services in Northern Beaches, you can always rely on Revolution Pipe Relining to deliver...
Read More
blog
How Sewer Pipe Relining Experts help you Avoid Winter Plumbing Problems
By admin
/ August 16, 2022
Unfortunately, sewer problems don't take the colder seasons off. In fact, extreme weather conditions can take an even greater toll...
Read More