Blocked Drains

Most people complain of blocked drainage all the time. The blockage can be anywhere inside or outside your home. So, learn how to identify blocked drains because it would be challenging whether it’s through the walls or underground. Blocked drains in the kitchen sink would be easy to determine, but you would not be able to see the cause of a slow drain or if there is a leaking underground pipe.

If you understand the cause of the problem, you would know whether you can fix it on your own, or if you need to call an expert plumber to help you with blocked drains. Here are the common signs to look out for:

• Bubbling in the toilet whenever a sink is on
• Gurgling noise when draining
• Low water pressure
• Pool of water
• Sewage backup
• Slow drain on sinks, showers, and tubs
• You can only use one drain at a time
• Unpleasant smell

Causes of Blocked Drains

Now that you know how to identify blocked drains, it is time to learn what causes them. Your water drainage systems and your sewer are connected. If there is a buildup, it can result in a problem in a particular part of the system. And if a part of the sewer or water main is blocked, the entire system can be affected.

Here are the leading causes of blocked drains:

• Hair — Ask any plumber, and they would tell you that one of the most common reasons for blocked drains is hair. It falls off your body when you shower, and this can accumulate. Eventually, it will cause slow drain flow, or it can completely block it and cause more problems. What you can do is protect your drains and sweep out any hair from your sinks.
• Kitchen Waste — If you think that you can flush anything down your kitchen drain, you are wrong. Food particles, fat and oil, and even grease are not suitable for your plumbing system. Everything that contains fat and grease should not go down the kitchen drains.
• Old Pipes — Plumbers recommend having your pipes checked, especially if they are old. Remember that old pipes can disintegrate over time. When this happens, the soil under them can erode. Even modern pipes can still be affected by seasonal changes.
• Paper — Whether it’s toilet paper, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, facial tissues, baby wipes, or even those flushable wipes can block the drainage systems. They do not come apart when they are flushed. The sewer treatment is only designed to disintegrate human waste and not paper products.
• Roots of Trees — For blocked water and sewer lines, the roots of trees are some of the most common causes. In most older homes, you will find tree roots inside the pipes. Most experts say that a gurgling noise is one of the first signs that a tree root has invaded the sewer pipes.
• Scales — When calcium and magnesium dissolve from the water, it can cause mineral deposits and scales. It will gather and form a buildup at only one spot of the pipe until it would grow larger. Eventually, it will cause a blockage.

Why Call a Plumber for Blocked Drains?

Only water, human waste, plus biodegradable paper should go down that toilet. All of your other trash should be accordingly disposed of. There are simple fixes that you can do on your own. However, when it comes to blocked drains, it is best to call an expert to help you identify and fix the problem. An expert plumber will not only help you fix the problem but can also advise you on how to prevent it from happening in the future.

Every plumbing expert has already cleared blocked drains. We are the ones who thoroughly understand the mechanism of drains. We know how to plan and investigate the issue and then provide you with a solution.

Clear Drains — Why Is It Important?

Having a clear drain can give you peace of mind of a better and safe atmosphere. Excellent and functioning drainage can improve the functionality of your home. There’s no more dealing with the unpleasant smell.

With clear drains, you and your family would be more comfortable and healthy. If you are from Townsville, there is one name that you can trust — Plumber To Your Door.

We service all kinds of blockages. Whether you have guests coming out for Christmas and your toilet is blocked or you might be operating an industrial complex with an extensive network of pipes which need attention, Plumber To Your Door will fix it for you.

Our service motto is “Client First.” We offer competitive rates and professional services in a timely manner.

FAQs About Blocked Drains

How to Prevent Blocked Drains?

Prevention is always better than cure. Luckily, there are a number of things home and business owners can do to reduce the risk of blocked drains:

• Don’t tip fat, waste food or other kitchen waste down the sink.
• Ensure that everyone in your household knows to only put the “three Ps” (pee, poo and paper) down the toilet.
• Supervise small children near the toilet — it’s all too common for a blocked toilet to be due to a dropped toy or similar.
• Have the condition of your pipes checked regularly — uneven or broken pipes are more likely to become blocked. It’s also important to check for tree roots that may have penetrated through pipe weaknesses.

How Do You Clear Blocked Drains?

Before calling out a professional, there are a number of simple DIY measures you can take which may clear a blocked drain.

Manual tools: Inserting a plumber’s snake into the drain or down the toilet may be enough to dislodge a small or soft blockage. Alternatively, a plunger may be all that’s needed to shift a blockage.

Hot Water, Baking Soda and Vinegar: Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain, followed by a cup of water, baking soda, and vinegar respectively. Tip another kettle of water down the drain.

In our experience, if these simple DIY measures don’t work on blocked drains, Townsville residents are probably best off calling us out to resolve the problem.

When Is a Blocked Drain an Emergency?

If there is only one toilet in the house, and it’s blocked, or if sewage is flowing back into the home, we would usually treat the situation as an emergency.

If occupants can avoid using the drainage system until the next working day, and sewage isn’t back flowing into the property, the problem can usually be safely left for 24 hours or so.

My Drain Is Blocking Repeatedly, What Should I Do?

The answer to this question really depends on why the blockage is occurring. In some cases, it may be as simple as preventing inappropriate items from being flushed down the toilet. If the repeated blockages are due to a pipe weakness, or the incursion of a tree root into the pipe, for example, professional remedial work will be required, or the blockage will just keep coming back.

Get a prompt, effective resolution to your blocked drain or toilet from the skilled, experienced team at Plumber To Your Door.