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How To Fix A Blocked Drain
You have probably already experienced one or two blocked drains in your lifetime, right? They are a common problem that many Sydney homes face day in, and day out. However, don’t let that commonness lull you into a false sense of security.
This can become a significant plumbing problem if not attended to in time or if the problem continues to persist. The best thing to do is contact a professional plumber to nip this in the bud - it will save you time and money in the long run. Besides, nobody wants a
plumbing emergency on their hands, which is precisely what this can become if left unchecked.
Trying to prevent emergency plumbing sounds counter-intuitive, we know. However, as your trustworthy local plumber, we want to do everything possible to save you money and inconvenience.
So, let’s dig a little deeper and learn more about the dreaded blocked drain - why it happens, what problems it can cause and how to handle it.
How do I clear a blocked drain?
The best thing you can do is contact Pav Plumbing, for reasons that will become increasingly apparent as you read on. However, if you want a short-term solution, try this DIY method and see how you get on.
Pour a litre of boiling water down the affected drain. Now pour a cup of white wine vinegar and baking soda down as a chaser. Give this concoction time to react before sending another litre of boiling water down the pipe. If you don’t have vinegar or baking soda handy, try this drain cleaning method with just boiling water.
Another option is a plunger, which you can purchase at all good hardware stores. Place the suction over the drain entry point and press down. Now pump the stick up and down a half dozen times. Get ready for contaminated water to rise up and out.
Don’t put anything else down the drain, such as a makeshift plumber snake. Unless you know what you’re doing and using purpose-built tools, you could create even more damage. As we said at the start, the best thing you can do is contact the professionals!
How do plumbers clear blocked drains?
We’ve been unblocking drains and sewerage pipes for decades. We’d like to say we can do this blindfolded, but it doesn’t bear thinking about…! Needless to say, we can sort this problem out quickly and effectively.
Our van is kitted out with all the necessary equipment, so there is no chance of us visiting you only to return to the shop and get the right parts for the job. Typically, we start with CCTV footage to inspect the blockage and identify what is causing the problem. The answer will dictate how we go about clearing the clogged drain.
However, rest assured we work quickly and cleanly. Indeed, we treat your property as our own and will always leave it in a far tidier state than it was found!
Signs of blocked drains
There are some undeniable telltale signs that you have a drain blockage. They include terrible odours, strange noises, waste coming up and out of the pipes, water not draining effectively, and toilets not flushing correctly.
Call us, talk us through the signs, and we can confirm over the phone if you have a bonafide blockage.
Blocked drains can harm your health
Don’t read this section if you’re prone to feeling squeamish! Blockages don’t just cause inconveniences and cost money. They can be a real potential health risk to you and your family.
Pooling water is a breeding zone for bacterial build-up, especially during the warmer Sydney months. Mozzies love to find stagnant, dirty water. Since 2021, Sydney has experienced 45 cases of Japanese Encephalitis, which can be contracted through mozzie bites.
But it’s not just the airborne critters that cause havoc. Dirty water and lodged bits of decaying food are an open invitation to rodents. As if their presence alone isn’t bad enough, their urine can carry Leptospirosis. Also known as Weil’s disease, this bacterial infection can result in high temperatures, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and aching muscles and joints.
When you think of a clogged drain, your mind probably doesn’t turn immediately to health concerns like these, right? Unfortunately, it needs to, as this threat is real. Yet another reason to deal with a blockage immediately!
How do drains get blocked?
Customers often ask us
what causes drains to block. It turns out there are a lot of guilty suspects!
Can hair block drains?
Yes, this is a common cause, particularly in shower drains. Soap build-up is also a problem here, so keep an eye on the drain opening and clean it out regularly.
Can oil block drains?
Tipping the occasional bit of oil down the kitchen sink seems harmless, doesn’t it? Not so, unfortunately. This oil can thicken as it cools, collecting other debris that comes down and eventually turning it all into a fatberg. Don’t Google this - it does not make for relaxing viewing!
Can sand block drains?
Sand and Sydney go hand-in-hand, don’t they? Unfortunately, all those grains can also cause blocked sinks, gathering around s-bends and preventing other debris (which, incidentally, should not be going down your pipes!) from moving through freely.
Can coffee grounds block drains?
Don’t make the mistake of thinking ground coffee serves as an exfoliant for your pipes - nothing could be further from the truth! Coffee particles are not drain cleaners - they act in much the same way as sand, which we’ve mentioned above.
What else blocks drains?
Flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet is a big no-no. Doing so can result in an immediately blocked toilet. Things like nappies, wet wipes, used condoms, sanitary napkins, and tampons all belong in the bin, not the loo!
Remember, you have pipes outside as well as inside. Things like twigs, leaves and outdoor debris can build up in gutters and cause blockages. They can also become a potential bushfire risk, so it’s smart to keep these clear year-round (but especially during and after Autumn).
Contact a blocked drain plumber in Sydney now
We hope this has helped you determine
how to fix a blocked drain. This plumbing problem can be a messy, stinky and quite literally toxic job. Why take it on yourself when our plumbing professionals can sort it out quickly for you? Call our friendly customer service team today, and let’s sort this out for you!
