Have you found yourself with a blocked drain? If you’re like most people, your home’s drainage system gets blocked occasionally.
Stubborn drain blockages, such as multiple blocked drains, can often be too challenging to tackle alone. Blocked drains are so common that many people try unblocking their drains using household items like a plunger, baking soda, and vinegar.
Minor blockages, like those in sink drains, might be sorted with DIY tricks. But what if those methods fail? Or what if the blockages are just too tough to crack? That’s when professional plumbing services become essential. By bringing in experts, they can use CCTV cameras to pinpoint the trouble in both internal and external drains. Let’s explore why hiring these services is your best bet!
Where Can Blocked Drains Occur?
Blocked drains can occur almost anywhere in a residential and commercial drainage system. You may find a clogged drain in the bathroom, such as a blocked toilet or sink. Perhaps water isn’t going down the shower drain. You may also experience a blocked sink in the kitchen from food scraps, foreign objects, grease, and oil.
Similarly, you may also notice an overflowing stormwater drain or outside drain. Blocked stormwater drains can cause serious issues, so it’s best to get your drain unblocked as soon as possible.
Considering the complexity of your drainage system, it is essential to clear blocked drains correctly to ensure the source of the blockage is removed, and any damage to your plumbing system is repaired.
For example, tree roots can infiltrate your pipes, causing a plumbing emergency. The best way to repair the damage of burst pipes is with high-pressure water jetters and pipe relining technology, which drainage plumbers can only do.
Blocked Drains: Why Hire a Professional to Do It
When your bath, toilet, sink, or shower begins to drain slowly or not, it is almost certain that your drain is blocked. There are other signs or indicators of a clogged drain. You may hear or see your sink bubbling, or you start noticing puddles of water near your toilet or notice a foul odour from your shower.
These signs all point to blocked drains, which can be quite frustrating if you’re unsure of what action to take. Many turn to DIY methods initially, but calling in a professional often delivers the best results.
Why DIY Methods Are Unsatisfactory
A minor blockage may clear with a plunger, but more severe obstructions will require more than that to clear the blockage. One DIY method often used is to pick up drain cleaners from a local store or supermarket. There are two types of drain cleaners: chemical drain cleaners and biological cleaners.
Drain cleaning chemicals may be more effective if the blockage is due to mineral deposits, but it is not advisable to use them if your system utilises a septic tank. They usually contain an acidic substance called sodium hydroxide, damaging your system. Natural solutions such as pouring hot water mixed with a few tablespoons of sodium carbonate down the drain may be less harmful, but this is usually less effective.
Obstruction caused by soap residue or hair can be removed by biological cleaners, which can dissolve build-ups in the drain with enzymes. These cleaners are generally gentler on the system, but their applications are limited.
You can also use a DIY drain snake to unblock shower drains. A thin metal wire from an old coat hanger is turned into a drain snake by making a hook out of one end of the wire. The hook-end of the wire is let into the plughole and used to fish out blockages, especially those made of hair. This method has limited use. And, if you use boiling water, you can cause more damage to your pipes.
The Professional Approach - Blocked Drain Services
The most effective solution for blocked drains is to get a professional drain cleaner involved. They’ll come equipped with cutting-edge drain inspection and clearing tools. Using a CCTV camera inspection, they can accurately find where the blockage is and suggest the best way forward.
Professional plumbers can clear pipe blockages with the aid of hand-held equipment. More serious obstructions often require the deployment of sewer jetters. These will be used to carry out a process called water jetting.
High-pressure water jets are sent through the system’s drain pipes network. After finding the root cause, the force of the water dislodges any scum or fat deposits within pipes and flushes them away without causing any property damage.
With professionals on the job, trained personnel will handle everything using the latest gear, all while dressed for safety. You’ll have discussions beforehand about the work, costs, and what to expect, ensuring a smooth process without surprises. Most licensed plumbers offer same-day service, so there’s no long wait! If you’re around Perth, give Woolf Plumbing & Gas a shout!
Clearing Your Blocked Drains The Right Way
So there you have it. Any plumbing issues, especially clogged drains, are best left to the professionals. From drain DIY repairs to pipe replacement, plumbing work requires a dedicated team of Perth specialists to clear the blockage.
If you notice your drains are blocked, it’s best to bring in a professional promptly. Catching blockage signs early can prevent a small issue from evolving into a major headache.
If you’ve got any questions after reading this blog or need a hand unblocking your drain in Perth, feel free to contact us anytime!
Good luck with your blocked drain, and always contact a plumber for accurate diagnosis and drain cleaning!
