Introduction to Blocked Drain Emergencies
A blocked drain in your home poses both inconvenience and stress. At Hornsby Plumbing, we understand the urgency of blocked drain emergencies which is why we offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services. Our experience enables us to quickly identify and resolve drain blockages.
In this article, we provide useful tips on preventing and managing blocked drains.
We cover the common causes of clogs, DIY solutions for clearing simple blockages, as well as when it’s critical to call a professional plumber. Our aim is to equip you with the knowledge needed to maintain a consistent flow of water in your plumbing system, ensure gas hot water systems function correctly, and handle blocked drain emergencies.
Following our advice can help you avoid the frustrations associated with blocked drains. We emphasise safety and urge homeowners not to risk tackling complex plumbing issues. When in doubt, Hornsby Plumbing is always available to assess your unique situation and get your hot water flowing freely again.
Common Causes of Blocked Drains
There are several common culprits that can lead to blocked drains:
- Tree roots - Root systems from trees and shrubs can grow into and clog drains.
- Food scraps - Allowing food particles, grease, and oil to go down drains leads to build-up.
- Hair - Hair is a well-known culprit for tangling and creating blockages in bathroom drains.
- Non-degradable items - Products like diapers, sanitary items, dental floss, and wet wipes often get stuck when flushed down toilets.
Recognising common causes is vital to preventing blockages. Avoid pouring fats/oils and harsh chemicals down any drains. Installing drain covers and screens to capture hair and food scraps is crucial.
Most importantly, only flush toilet paper and natural waste to avoid a slow flow - no “flushable” wipes or other non-degradable items.
These recommendations will reduce the likelihood of blockages and the need for emergency plumbing services. However, for backed up water or slow drainage, contact our team to clear the clog before it leads to major damage.
Preventing Blocked Drains
There are several key steps you can take to help prevent blocked drains:
- Use drain strainers and covers in sinks and tubs to prevent hair, food scraps, and other debris from entering the drain
- Particularly avoid disposing of cooking oil down the drain, as it can solidify and cause significant blockages
- Only flush toilet paper and natural bodily waste down toilets
- Install mesh wire guards over external drains to stop leaves and debris from entering during heavy rain or storms
Make sure to get the drains across your entire home professionally cleaned every 12 months as part of regular plumbing maintenance. This can remove any built-up grime or materials that may otherwise lead to clogs.
With some simple preventative steps, you can minimise the risk of dealing with the nuisance and potential damage from blocked drains. When it comes to your plumbing needs, Hornsby Plumbing has a range of services to assist with clearing stubborn drain obstructions as well as routine inspections and maintenance to keep your plumbing system in good working order.
Dealing With a Blocked Drain
If you discover a blocked drain, the first step is to try identifying where the clog is located. Check all nearby sinks, showers, tubs and toilets to see if water is slowly draining from multiple fixtures, indicating a potential sewer line issue, or if there’s standing water in just one specific spot.
For minor sink clogs, a plunger or drain snake can often dislodge the obstruction. After using these DIY techniques, wait to see if water flows normally again.
Mixing baking soda and vinegar can break down certain obstructions when poured down the drain.
Yet, if several fixtures are blocked, the clog’s location is unclear, or DIY attempts fail, it’s crucial to contact a professional emergency plumber right away. Attempting to clear complex main sewer clogs alone can worsen the issue, risking pipe damage or sewage backups.
The technicians at Hornsby Plumbing are available 24/7 to attend blocked drain emergencies and handle issues within pipe systems. Call us on 1300 349 338 if you require urgent assistance. Our team can harness specialised drain cleaning equipment to locate clogs and safely restore proper flow for both water and gas systems.
Call a Professional Plumber
There are certain signs of a blocked drain that indicate the issue is severe and requires urgent professional help. Backed up sewage, very slow drainage affecting all fixtures, or overflowing water are red flags. Using plumbing during severe blockages can result in pipe damage, floods, structural problems, and contamination.
Improper use of chemical cleaners or incorrect snaking can worsen blockages and risk your safety. Sewage backflow is a health hazard due to bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause serious infections.
If you notice water pooling around drains, foul odours, abnormally wet soil outside or any other major signs of obstruction - stop using plumbing immediately and call Hornsby Plumbing right away on 1300 349 338.
Our skilled team can pinpoint the specific location where the drain is blocked, employing industry-leading equipment to clear it, ensuring an emergency plumber is available soon without compromising your plumbing system.
For urgent assistance or to book a professional drain cleaning service, you can also email us at [email protected]. Don’t hesitate to get in touch - clearing severe clogs quickly prevents costly damages.
Aftercare and Prevention
After a blocked drain has been cleared, there are important steps to take to prevent future blockages and maintain proper drainage:
Inspect Pipes
Get a professional plumber to conduct a camera inspection of all drains to identify any cracks or damage linked to the blockage. They can advise if repairs or replacements are needed.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Dispose of food scraps, grease, oils, hair, and other debris in the bin. Flush only human waste and toilet paper.
Install Protective Devices
Use drain screens, catchers and covers in sinks, tubs and shower drains to prevent loose hair or objects going down in the first place.
Routine Maintenance
Routine expert drain inspections, cleans, and plumbing checks can detect small issues early, reducing the risk of new blockages in your property’s drains.
Hornsby Plumbing offers reasonably priced drain care services. Schedule regular maintenance checks with our team to enjoy lasting solutions to blocked drains.
Pipe Inspections
Professional pipe inspections are crucial for identifying and addressing drainage issues before they cause major blockages. At Hornsby Plumbing, we use state-of-the-art CCTV drain cameras to thoroughly inspect pipes.
A CCTV drain survey captures clear footage within your pipes. As the camera moves through the pipeline, our technicians can pinpoint the exact location of any clogs, cracks, root invasion or other defects.
Pipe inspections help diagnose common causes of blockages like:
- Buildup of waste, hair, grease or grime
- Damaged or misaligned joints
- Cracks or holes allowing debris intrusion
- Tree roots growing into pipes
By detecting these issues early, we can recommend drainage repairs, pipe relining or professional drain cleaning to stop small problems becoming emergency blockages.
CCTV checks verify the complete removal of past blockages, including in gas plumbing lines, by rechecking to ensure no remnants persist.
Hornsby Plumbing provides comprehensive drain inspections to halt debris build-up and supervise pipes at higher blockage risk. Protect your home with regular professional drainage inspections.
Ongoing Maintenance
For Hornsby residents, certain maintenance steps are crucial for preventing blocked drains and ensuring smooth plumbing system operation. Our temperate climate with reasonably heavy rainfall, along with prevalent trees and shrubs, can exacerbate common drainage issues if pipes are not well maintained.
Professional Drain Cleaning
Annual professional drain inspections and cleanings can prevent debris build-up and minor blockages from worsening. Our technicians use high-pressure water jets and industrial strength augers to thoroughly clean the full length of drain lines.
Pipe Checks
Annual CCTV drain camera inspections can assess pipe conditions and detect issues early. This allows early detection of cracks, root invasion and other defects so they can be addressed promptly before causing major issues.
Line Maintenance
Unchecked tree root growth can cause severe damage. Regular root cutting, pipe relining, or repairs are needed to prevent obstructions.
Strainers and Traps
Prevent debris from entering pipes with sink strainers and hair catchers, and regularly clean them along with kitchen sink traps.
Incorporating these simple maintenance measures into your routine ensures enduring protection of your plumbing fixtures from blockages. Hornsby Plumbing offers affordable scheduled services to keep your plumbing running smoothly, year after year. Contact us today to discuss tailored ongoing system maintenance for your property.
