Blocked drains are plumbing emergencies that require immediate attention to avoid damage. Learn the do’s and don'ts now and trust Werrington Plumbing for professional drain clearing services when you need them.
Blocked drains arise when accumulated debris, grease, or other materials obstruct water flow within pipes. Addressing blockages quickly is crucial to avoid further plumbing emergencies and health hazards in your home.
This leads to backed up sinks, bathtubs, or toilets, and can even lead to raw sewage backing up into your house, which can cause significant health risks and property damage.
The most common culprits behind clogged drains include accumulation of hair, food scraps, fats/oils, tree roots, and personal hygiene products.
Signs of a potential blockage include slow drainage, gurgling sounds, bad odours, and stagnant water near drains.
While home remedies such as plungers, augers, or chemical drain cleaners can offer temporary fixes, severe blockages necessitate a professional plumber’s robust equipment. Understanding common causes and early warning signs allows you to mitigate risks and ensure your drain system continues flowing effortlessly.
If faced with blocked or slowly draining water, resist the urge to continue using fixtures or pouring more water down. Minimise use to prevent undue stress that may cause backups or flooding. Arrange buckets, towels, or absorbent materials around affected drains to contain any excess water.
Try a plunger first to dislodge clogs manually. Cover overflow hole completely when plunging bathtubs or sinks.
Carefully pour one or two kettles of boiling water down the drain to dissolve grease. Steer clear of chemical drain cleaners, which can react unpredictably with blockages.
If water begins backing up despite attempts to clear it, switch off main water supply via stop valve to prevent further flooding. Make a swift call for emergency assistance so the blockage can be accurately diagnosed and remedied.
Getting professional help swiftly shields your entire home from sewage exposure, averts property damage from water spills or pipe bursts, and prevents the need to replace entire systems. Attempting to clear drains without proper equipment can also worsen clogs.
Use a force-cup plunger to tackle minor clogs from hair or food remnants. If problems persist, it’s wise to consult an emergency plumber. Ensure the plunger’s bell completely seals any overflow holes before starting.
Force the plunger straight down over the drain opening and pull back up repeatedly to dislodge blockages through suction.
Avoid exerting too much force or you may risk damaging the pipes.
While plungers can resolve simple clogs quickly, extensive blockages require a professional plumber’s high-powered augers for reliable clearance. If plunging attempts fail to improve drainage, refrain from further use of the fixture and phone for emergency assistance to prevent backups and flooding.
Allow the bubbling mixture to work for 5-10 minutes, followed by a rinse with hot water to clear loosened debris.
Try pouring 1⁄2 cup baking soda down the blocked drain, followed by 1 cup heated white vinegar.
However, extensive blockages require professional drain augering equipment. Only attempt the baking soda method for minor clogs.
If drain function does not improve, refrain from further fixture use and reach out to a plumber soon to prevent further backups or flooding concerns that drains your peace of mind.
Should DIY methods fail to enhance water flow, promptly seeking professional help is crucial. Werrington Plumbing provides 24/7 emergency assistance to tackle blocked drains without delay.
Unsure what to do? Call 1300 349 338 or email jobs@werringtonplumbingservices.com.au describing your blocked drain situation. Our team can schedule an urgent visit to utilise industrial strength augers, hydro jetting and CCTV drain inspections to locate and clear obstacles.
Establishing a relationship with a trusted plumber is invaluable for critical issues like sewer backups. Werrington Plumbing’s licenced technicians have the expertise to diagnose causes, safely extract blockages without pipe damage, and prevent recurrence through maintenance.
Act swiftly at the first sign of trouble; consulting drain professionals after home remedies fail prevents extensive sewage damage. It also eliminates health risks from exposure to contaminated water. Regular maintenance check-ups can significantly reduce common clog culprits like grease or soap buildup.
Homeowners must know when to call a professional plumber for blocked drains. While minor clogs may be cleared with a plunger or boiling water, more persistent or extensive blockages require a pro’s high-powered equipment.
Get in touch with our team at once if DIY solutions fail or water starts to back up in sinks, baths, or toilets. Recurring clogs in the same location also indicate a deeper issue needing inspection. Sewage overflowing indoors necessitates emergency assistance to extract blockages and sanitise affected areas.
Signs that professional help is vital include:
Werrington Plumbing possesses industrial strength augers and high-pressure jet systems to clear even the most stubborn blockages and hard to reach areas standard snakes can’t access. Our team evaluates issues to pinpoint causes, extract all obstructions without pipe damage, and provide solutions to prevent recurrence.
Relying solely on sink plungers or liquid drain cleaners for serious clogs can worsen water backups and cause leaks or bursts. Contact our professionals urgently in such scenarios to prevent property damage and health hazards.
When meeting with a professional plumber about a blocked drain, inquiring about their identification, experience, specific methods, and fees upfront is important for transparency and assurance.
Questions customers should consider asking include:
Open communication instils trust in the plumbing services provider, assists in identifying correct solutions, and empowers you to make informed decisions regarding professional drain services. Querying work timelines, expense schedules, follow-up appointments and equipment used also assures quality care.
Use drain strainers to catch hair and debris.
Steer clear of disposing fats, oils, and grease down the sink as they solidify and cause clogs. Steer clear of disposing fats, oils, and grease down the sink as they solidify and cause clogs.
Monthly maintenance such as the baking soda and vinegar treatment helps prevent soap scum and residue from evolving into significant blockages. Consider professional hydro jetting yearly to blast away any build-up that might be causing a blocked sewer or drain issues. If you face recurrent clogs despite efforts, a full camera inspection can identify issues needing repair.
Adopting mindful drain usage minimises the risk of preventable blockages. But when issues inevitably occur, rely on Werrington Plumbing’s rapid response and state-of-the-art drain cleaning equipment for prompt, effective solutions.
Fitting sink, shower, and floor drains with strainers or screens traps hair, food, and debris, averting pipe blockages. Strainers are crucial for preventing debris from clogging the kitchen sink, and come in various shapes and sizes to fit different home and commercial drainage needs.
Low profile strainers fit inside sink drains, effectively trapping debris. Shower drains may require staple-down or clamping strainers secured over the drain cover.
Select strainers with detachable grates to simplify cleaning. Consider heavyweight rubber varieties to withstand weight. Ensure it’s intact and clears debris during maintenance.
When installing, check strainers fit drain openings snugly without limiting water drainage. Employ included adhesives or mechanical fasteners per product instructions to ensure sturdy positioning of your plumbing fixtures. Take care not to damage pipe threading or flanges during attachment.
Regularly clean drain strainers to avoid the buildup of blockage-causing debris. Annual professional hydro jetting can maintain clean and clear deep piping. Proactive straining coupled with regular maintenance helps avoid emergency clogs.
Regular maintenance and checks of your plumbing system are essential for preventing drain emergencies.
Simple self-checks to perform monthly involve pouring water gas hot water mixed with baking soda and vinegar down sinks and drains, sidestepping harsh chemical cleaners. Use sink strainers and drain snakes to extract accumulated hair and debris. Confirm all drains empty fully without odours or backed up water.
Annually, for when it comes to identifying intruding roots or cracks in pipework, have Werrington Plumbing undertake camera inspections. Consider professional hydro jetting to deeply cleanse your plumbing fixtures and sewer line from grease and sediment build-up over time. Replace any severely damaged sections.
Scheduling maintenance checks allows plumbers to assess drainage systems, resolve slow flow issues, clear potential clogs, and advise on repairs for optimum functionality. Preventative servicing is crucial to avoid blockage emergencies, overflows, pipe bursts and contamination. Werrington Plumbing provides reliable installations, repairs and routine care.
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