Recognizing the Signs of a Blocked Drain
To prevent hassle, recognising early signs like slow drainage, gurgling noises, bad odours, or water spilling from sinks and toilets is essential for diagnosing a blocked drain. Blockages often result from hair, grease, and food scraps, emphasising why disposing of baby wipes in the bin is recommended. Unchecked plumbing blockages can escalate to pipe back-ups, floods, sewage contamination, and costly repairs.
The common signs of a blocked drain might include:
- Water that starts gurgling or draining from your bathtub, shower, or sink slower than usual
- Bubbling sounds or gurgling coming from drains
- Foul smells emanating from sewage, irrespective of their source within your home
- Your toilet flushing sluggishly or not completely
- Puddles of water forming around your drains
- Frequent plunger use to clear drains in your house
Home remedies may clear partial blockages, but persistent or severe issues warrant professional plumbing assistance.
Specialised tools and expertise are necessary for blocked main sewer lines, root-intruded pipes, or collapsed drains. Catching your blocked drain issues early not only restores proper function but also shields you from any damage, such as cracks, leaks and water-related harm, further down line.
If you notice multiple warning signs, don’t hesitate to call blocked drain specialists promptly. Our plumber uses the latest tools, including cctv drain cameras and hydro-jetting equipment, to inspect damage and restore flow.
Our team expertly clears and restores the function of your blocked pipes.
Common Household Causes
Several household activities can result in blocked drains.
In your kitchen sink, the build up of food scraps, fats, oils, and grease consistently prove to be major culprits over time. Blocked drains are commonly caused by hair and soap scum in sinks and showers.
Kitchen Sinks
Your kitchen sink faces a constant barrage of food particles, grease, and oils that cling to and coat the pipes’ interiors. Foods such as rice, pasta, eggshells, tea leaves, and coffee grounds, can, despite appearances, compromise and clog your drain through accumulation.
These materials gradually adhere and solidify along your pipe walls. Solidified fats and oils trap debris, slowing water flow and progressively leading to a complete clog.
Bathroom Sinks and Showers
Bathroom sink and shower areas, along with a blocked sink drain, are common sites for clogged drains due to hair and soap accumulation. Over time hair and soap scum mats and traps particles, resulting in stubborn blockages.
As hair and soap mix together, they wash down and stick to previous scum residue. Pipe issues slowly emerge, like slow drainage, gurgling sounds, and overflow.
Sewer Lines and Outdoor Drains
Your drainage system’s efficiency, particularly outdoors, hinges on sewer lines that flow correctly.
Quick Fixes to Try at Home
For minor drain blockages, there are a few easy home remedies to try before resorting to professional help:
Using a Plunger
A plunger can often clear clogs located near the drain opening. Repeat this process until the obstruction is effectively cleared from the drain.
Fill the sink with water, submerge the plunger, and vigorously plunge 10-15 times.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Rinse with hot water.
Pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain, follow with 1 cup of heated white vinegar.
Boiling Water
For minor kitchen sink clogs, pour a kettle full of hot boiling water down the drain. This method harnesses the natural pressure of boiling water to dissolve fat deposits and dislodge grease.
While these methods may offer quick relief, deeper drainage issues likely require a plumber’s intervention. At best, these methods buy you some time before the situation becomes critical, and you need to call plumber.
If you have a severe blockage, recurring, or exterior drain issue, call your local plumber right away. Harsh chemical drain cleaners should also be avoided, as these can damage your pipes and contaminate groundwater supplies.
Professional Drain Cleaning Services
When DIY methods fail against recurring drain blockages, we always endorse Seven Hills Plumbing’s professional drain cleaning services. Equipped with the latest tools and technology, our plumbers swiftly diagnose issues and restore proper water flow with efficiency.
High-Pressure Water Jetting
Our high-pressure water jet effectively removes years of accumulated residue within your pipes. Shooting water at up to 4,000 PSI, it scours pipe interiors down to the bare metal. It’s an eco-friendly process that even tackles the toughest obstructions effortlessly.
Drain Camera Inspections
We also use specialised drain camera equipment to assess damage and pinpoint problems. Our camera inspections reveal issues from minor root cracks to collapsed pipes to inform tailored solutions. This approach also prevents unnecessary excavation activities outside your house.
With extensive experience, our expert team has the expertise to handle any residential or commercial drain issue. We offer competitive rates and detailed explanations of plumbing work so you know your options. Contact Seven Hills Plumbing for reliable drain cleaning services when problems persist.
When to Call a Plumber
Knowing when to seek a plumber’s expertise by recognizing blocked drain signs can prevent further complications at home.
There are instances when quick home remedies yield only temporary solutions, particularly with multiple affected drains, indicating it’s time to call the experts at Seven Hills Plumbing.
Call Us If:
- DIY drain remedies have failed to fully clear the clog
- Clogs persist after multiple attempts to plunge, snake, or use homemade mixtures
- Multiple drains blocked in your home become sluggish or clogged
- You have sewage smells coming from drains or cleanouts
- Outside your home, drainage issues point to damaged or invaded pipes
- Flooding occurs whenever you use a drain
- You suspect the main sewer line is blocked
The longer a drain remains blocked, the higher the risk of pipe damage, and it’s the time call in a blocked drain plumber to mitigate flooding, contamination, and costly repairs. Our plumber can safely tackle even the toughest obstructions clear with the latest hydro-jetting equipment and drain cameras. For urgent blockages, Seven Hills Plumbing offers round-the-clock emergency drain unblocking services.
For reliable drain diagnostics and cleaning, send us a message at Seven Hills Plumbing by calling on 1300 349 338 to schedule an appointment with our expert team. You can trust us to deliver timely service no matter your plumbing needs, at all residential and commercial properties in the area.
Preventing Future Blockages
While dealing with a blocked drain can be quite troublesome, you can take several preventative measures to help avert future problems:
Be Cautious What Goes Down Drains
Prevent clogs by not pouring fats, oils, and grease down the drain. Make sure to use sink strainers to catch food scraps.
Cool cooked food and dispose of oil in the bin to protect both your plumbing and appliances. Use hair catchers in showers and sinks to prevent strands from clogging your drains.
Take Care With Toiletries
Prevent toilet blockages by flushing only toilet paper and waste, not sanitary products or wipes. Dont let product claims fool you; these items do not break down sufficiently and clog systems. Place a bin in bathrooms for proper disposal instead.
Regular Professional Maintenance
Annual inspections and clearing of your drains can save you from future buildups before they become severe. For outdoor drains, some things to consider are professional gutter cleaning or guards to keep leaves and debris clear.
Call your local plumber at Seven Hills Plumbing today on 1300 349 338 to learn about our preventative maintenance service options. With regular cleanings, we can ensure the drains of your property remain clear and flow properly for years to come.
