Not every plumbing emergency is something big like a burst pipe or an indoor flood.
Sometimes, it can take the form of something that, when detected early enough, can be relatively minor, like a blocked drain!
In many cases, you might in fact think that a blockage is easy enough to clear yourself.
While we can appreciate your commitment to DIY, we must implore that you never try to do any plumbing work yourself.
So put down the wire hanger, leave the boiling water, and instead pick up the phone and call an emergency plumber.
What causes blocked drains?
Anything that’s large enough to fit down a drain can potentially cause blockages. However, there are some things that are more common than others:
- Hair and skin flakes
- Wet wipes, paper towels and tissues
- Fat, oil and grease
- Food waste
- Cotton balls, buds, and wipes
Here’s a piece of advice: your drain is not a rubbish bin.
You can’t just dump anything down it and expect to come out clog-free. While toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water, these other things we’ve listed are not.
Even if you’re not actively pouring these down your sink, they can still build up over time.
And once they’re established, this type of buildup can be difficult to remove on your own.
Results of blocked drains
A blocked drain can ruin your day. While not as damaging as an indoor flood, a clog can put important plumbing fixtures out of commission.
Imagine a toilet that won’t flush, or a kitchen sink you can’t use – naturally, you’ll want to get it unblocked ASAP!
That’s not the only thing a blocked drain can result in, either. Clogged drains can also lead to long-term problems in the form of:
- Unpleasant odours roaming through your home
- Stagnant water that attracts pests like mosquitos
- Water stains or your walls and ceilings
- Sewage build up that can result in nasty backflow
- Pipe leaks that can cause significant damage
As a wise and proactive homeowner, you don’t want to wait until these things happen.
Instead, you should be fixing these the moment you start seeing the signs!
How to unclog blocked drains: a quick crash course
1) Try homemade remedies
At Watermaster Plumbing, we generally advise against DIY plumbing. There are plenty of reasons for this – click here to learn why.
In the case of removing minor blockages however, there’s not very much harm in trying your luck first.
Home plumbing tricks should never go further than mixing vinegar and baking soda to try to break down build-up, or using a plunger to loosen a blockages.
Beyond that though, you should call for professional intervention from an emergency plumber.
2) Be proactive – use a sink strainer
They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And when it comes to plumbing, we’re inclined to agree!
When it comes to shower drains and kitchen sinks, we recommend getting a sink strainer.
They only cost a couple of dollars, but they’ll catch the vast majority of residues and debris that could otherwise contribute to a partial or full blockage.
3) Use your bins
We’ve said it once, we’ll say it again: your drain is not a rubbish bin!
It’s tempting to dispose of grease and oil using your drains. Take it from us however, this is a bad idea.
Instead of being washed away or dissolving, grease and oil actually solidifies, causing blockage in your kitchen drains.
Instead, scrape grease and oil into a thick rubbish bag to be disposed of properly.
4) If all else fails, contact an emergency plumber!
Alternatively, your blockages are chronic. You find yourself going back time and time again and are fed up with having to wrestle with a plunger all the time.
In these cases, an emergency plumber is your best bet.
On top of clearing out any stubborn blockages too tough for DIY, they can also perform a thorough plumbing inspection.
If you suffer from repeated blockages, this inspection can uncover the “why”.
In some cases, blockages may be the result of pipes that are too narrow or low water pressure.
These aren’t things you can fix yourself – they need the expertise, resources and workmanship that only a professional can guarantee.
Get rid of blocked drains with an emergency plumber today
Blocked drains? More like unbearable pains!
Luckily, you needn’t suffer for long when you have Watermaster Plumbing on your side.
Our emergency plumber service provides speedy relief to homes and businesses from the CBD to Bayside.
You can trust our team of local emergency plumbers to fix your problems, big or small. Make a habit of calling Watermaster Plumbing when things go wrong.
Alternatively, save our number just in case – that’s 1300 156 650 for reliable and efficient emergency plumbing.