Blocked drains: two words that’ll make any homeowner start panicking!
And it isn’t just the disruption that is annoying, either – you may also have to contend with:
- Slow drainage
- Nasty smells in your kitchen
- Your toilet backing up
Unfortunately, it’s a problem that most homeowners will have to deal with at least once in their lifetime (they’re one of the most common plumbing problems our Bayside plumbers fix.)
Luckily, in most cases it’s one that can be fixed on your own with nothing more than a plunger or drain solvent.
Unfortunately, not all of these blockages are so easy to fix!
Have you tried everything but to no avail? Still suffering from bad smells and slow drainage?
That’s when it’s time to call a plumber in Bayside to take a look at it!
Causes of blocked drains
Dirt, sediment, food scraps and other debris don’t dissolve immediately when you wash them down your drain. In many cases, they stick around, often causing clogging and blockages.
As we mentioned above, in most cases, they can be resolved on your own.
Sometimes however, the debris blocking your drain is too much to get rid of on your own using traditional methods.
In particular, we’re talking about things like…
Dirt and silt
Dirt and silt usually wash away – depending on the design of your pipes as well as your water pressure however, whey may not all be flushed away.
And that means a buildup of dirt which can be difficult to remove once it’s settled.
Tree roots
You don’t often think of tree roots as causing blocked drains – take our word for it however, they’re one that our Bayside plumbers face with surprising frequency!
Naturally, you can’t plunge away tree roots – to get rid of them, you need to identify the point where tree roots have penetrated your pipes, dig it up, remove the roots and replace the old pipe with a new one.
For this, you need professional help!
Grease, fat, oil and food scraps
Over time, oil and grease harden to the point where they become impossible to remove, even with hot water and specialised drain solvents.
In these cases, your only options might be physically disconnecting the pipe and cleaning it out that way or breaking through using a drain snake.
Either way, it’s best to leave it to a pro!
Wipes and tissues
While the pack may claim that they’re flushable, in many cases, the truth is the exact opposite!
Still, many people take to flushing them anyway – something that leads to easily avoidable blockages.
You’d be surprised how tough wipes and tissues can be – no plumbing or drain solvent will be able to effectively clear them out. The only way to fix it is with professional assistance.
Common signs of blocked drains
Any of the problems listed above can lead to a blockage – and that in turn can lead to a host of different issues.
Once you become familiar with these early signs, you can immediately bust out the plunger or vinegar and start planning what you’re going to do to get rid of whatever materials are clogging your drains.
And that also means looking up the number of a plumber in Brighton, just in case the issue turns out to be bigger than what you can handle on your own!
In particular, try to keep your eye out for things like…
Slow drain
A blocked drain won’t drain as quickly – simple as that!
And that in turn leads to water backing up, and you not being able to use your plumbing fixtures. In some cases, it can even lead to flooding if you aren’t paying full attention and you let the water keep piling up.
This is one of the most obvious signs of a drainage issue – the moment you notice it, we suggest trying your hand at fixing it by pouring solvent down the drain or use a bent wire to try unblocking your drains.
And if this temporary solution doesn’t work, you know who to call!
Gurgling sounds
Are you bothered by a strange gurgling sound every time you flush your toilet bowl and use your kitchen drain?
You may not know it, but there’s a good chance a blockage is to blame.
Such strange noises are often caused by dirt and other materials getting trapped inside your drain and hindering both water and air from passing through.
In many cases, the blockage in question might be situated further up your pipes, making it difficult to resolve on your own – that’s why both your sewer and plumbing need to be checked by a local plumber in Bayside.
Unwanted smells
Blockages don’t just stop water from draining – they can also stink!
Rotten food, wet debris, grease and oil, other waste – not only can they block your drain, but buildups can also smell downright nasty if you leave them for too long.
In particular, blockages also become a breeding ground for bacteria and all sorts of other microorganisms, many of which come with foul odours that can quickly spread to the rest of your kitchen or bathroom.
Why you should call a Brighton plumber to fix the problem
D-I-Why?!
Don’t get us wrong, most drain blockages are fixable on your own if you have the right equipment lying around the house.
The problem? Not all blockages are quite that easy to get rid of on your own:
- Some blockages might be further down your pipes
- Other blockages might be too firmly entrenched to remove using DIY techniques
- In some cases, blockages are being made worse by narrow pipes that constrict water flow
In cases such as these, the only way to go is with a professional Bayside plumber.
Around the house, your plumbing gear might be limited. For example, few homes stock proper drain solvent, and while vinegar and baking soda will do fine as substitutes, they aren’t quite as powerful.
Another problem is plungers. You might have a toilet plunger, sure – but do you have the right type of plunger for other types of drains?
And what about blockages that are so strong they need to be physically dislodged? Most homeowners don’t have drain snakes, and few have experience taking apart their plumbing.
Our Bayside plumbers are professionals – and as professionals, we can fix all sorts of plumbing blockages for you, including the ones you can’t deal with on your own.
Our expert plumbers in Brighton can conduct pipe inspections identifying the exact location of a blockage and can diagnose the root cause using a range of tools, including HD drain cameras.
This allows us to find and fix the issue on-the-spot, freeing you from persistent blockages!
Do you have a Bayside plumber saved to your phone?
If not, we strongly recommend fixing that, ASAP – you never know when you might need one!
Whether it’s for a blocked drain or any other plumbing issue, having a plumber in Bayside on speed-dial can help you avoid all sorts of plumbing emergencies, including blocked drains.
After all, attempting to DIY fix your clogged drains can be frustrating, time-consuming and messy. Why go through all of that when you can contact a professional Brighton plumber to do all the work for you?
Our team of expert plumbers works with you in making sure that your plumbing is working exactly as it should. In addition to fixing clogs and resolving other types of blockages, we’ll also fix issues like:
- Burst pipes
- Shower leaks
- Gas plumbing
- Drain cleaning and maintenance
- Hot water plumbing
Call us today on 1300 156 650 or book an inspection online for inspection. Whether you need help with your emergency, domestic or commercial plumbing needs, we’ve got you covered!
You can also visit us for plumbers in Melbourne: pop into our headquarters at 9/22 George St Sandringham, VIC 3191, if you prefer a more hands-on approach.