Introduction to Common Causes of Blocked Drains
Blocked drains are a common issue for both homeowners and businesses in Pennant Hills, Sydney. Pennant Hills Plumbing boasts extensive expertise in both preventing and resolving common blocked drain scenarios. In this article, we aim to provide an informative overview of the common causes of blocked drains.
Understanding the causes of blocked drains empowers property owners to take proactive measures to prevent blockages. This knowledge also aids in the early identification and resolution of drainage problems, averting expensive plumbing emergencies. Equipped with this insight into main causes of blockage, which helps prevent practices that cause buildup, clients can wisely decide how to address plumbing needs.
Contact our team for any urgent concerns about your drainage system that might cause significant inconvenience, or for other plumbing issues.
We will examine the factors contributing to blocked drains and highlight the importance of hands-on expertise in managing Pennant Hills’ plumbing issues.
Grease and Fat Buildup
Thick deposits accumulating in pipes can rapidly obstruct water flow, leading to blockages.
Sydney Water reports that approximately 40% of annual metropolitan Sydney sewer blockages stem from oil and grease accumulation. The coagulating tendencies of fats and grease at room temperatures often result in blocked pipes.
To avoid clogs from fat and oil build-up, never pour leftover cooking oils and fats down the drains in your home. Allow fats to cool and harden before disposing of them in the bin, rather than letting them coat and clog your home’s pipes. Drain strainers can stop food scraps from entering the pipes, minimising grease build-up in kitchen sinks.
Flushing with boiling water regularly helps dissolve soap scum and other residues, keeping pipes unobstructed. For effective maintenance and build-up prevention, professional drain cleaning with high-pressure jetting equipment is the most effective strategy, especially for significant blockages.
Given their viscosity, it’s crucial to avoid pouring leftover oils, fats, and grease down the drain.post-cooking.
Damaged and deteriorating pipes are a significant concern regarding the prevention of blocked drains in Pennant Hills. Age, material type, soil movement, groundwater corrosion, and installation errors are common factors causing pipes to block prematurely.
Regular professional drain inspections are key in pinpointing early signs of wear, such as obstacles or leaks that could lead to clogs, allowing for timely intervention. We employ cutting-edge technology, like video inspection cameras, for thorough internal examinations of your drain pipes.
Actively repairing or replacing damaged or burst pipes prevents potential blockages. Our guaranteed quality services professionally deliver solid solutions, including drain repairs, relining options, and complete drain replacement, all tailored to your specific needs.
For professional pipe maintenance advice and fixed price repair quotes, reach out to Pennant Hills Plumbing; our expertise ensures your drainage system is efficiently maintained.
Foreign Objects
Items flushed down the toilet often obstruct water flow, leading to clogs. Common culprits of blocked sink drains include:
- Baby wipes, tissues, paper towels, feminine hygiene products
- Toys, coins, bottle caps, buttons
- Dental floss, hair ties, rags, cotton swabs
- Kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells
- Condoms, bandages, medication blister packs
These seemingly harmless items can combine with other waste and create significant blockages over time. Sink strainers can help catch materials before they clog your plumbing, and only flushing toilet paper can protect your water systems; however, mishaps can still happen.
If you suspect a foreign object is caught in your plumbing, avoid using drain cleaners. We strongly advise calling a professional plumber to safely locate and remove the obstruction without harming the pipes.
Tree Roots
Invasive tree roots penetrating underground sewer pipes are a prevalent cause of drain blockages in Pennant Hills. Certain fast-growing tree varieties like willows, elms and figs positioned too close to plumbing systems are notorious offenders.
The tiny hairs on tree roots anchor onto cracks or joints in pipes, making their way into your drainage network to extract moisture and nutrients. Over months or years, tree roots can develop into substantial root masses that obstruct water flow and can end up causing pipe damage.
Sewer gas leaks, foul odours, slowed drainage, wet soil, drain flies and rodents are common signs of root intrusion issues.
Ideally, trees should be sited over 3 metres away from the plumbing system infrastructure, if space permits. For existing drain lines, regular professional drain inspections using CCTV cameras help identify how roots can encroach early before they become problematic.
Our specialist root removal services safeguard both your landscaping and your septic system. This involves mechanically clearing roots from inside pipes and applying protective epoxy barriers to prevent regrowth. In severe cases, full pipe replacement may be necessary.
If you suspect tree roots are causing blocked drains on your property, don’t hesitate to call our team., to get the necessary work done. We have the tools and expertise to diagnose the issue and make sure it is remedied efficiently.
Invasive tree roots penetrating underground sewer pipes are a prevalent cause of drain blockages in Pennant Hills.
Preventing Drain Blockages
- Employ sink strainers and cover drains
- Only flush toilet paper and human waste down toilets
- Run your hot water system for a minute weekly to prevent too much fat from solidifying as drains can become easily clogged
- Don’t plant trees with invasive root systems close to drainage pipes
- Install protective meshes over drain grates to prevent foreign objects falling in
- Schedule annual professional drain inspections to identify issues early
Incorporating vigilant waste disposal habits, understanding causes blocked drains how to unblock can stem from common causes, and undertaking timely repairs or upgrades is key to preventing headaches from blocked drains. Our team is happy to provide further tailored advice on how unblock drains effectively for optimal plumbing upkeep.
For cost-effective remedies to clogged drains gold coast, meticulous drain inspections, repairs, or professional drain cleaning, engage with our expert team today.
Use sink strainers and cover plugholes to trap food waste, hair soap, and debris before they enter drains pipesAllow fats, oils and grease to fully cool/solidify after cooking then dispose in the garbageAvoid pouring harsh chemicals, paints or solvents down any drainsOnly flush toilet paper and human waste down toiletsSigns of Blocked Drains
There are several early warning signs indicating when drains get blocked you should look out for:
- Water draining slower than usual from your bathroom sink, baths or showers
- Toilets backing up or water overflowing down drainpipes
- Gurgling sounds from plugholes/drains
- Unpleasant sewage smells around drains
- Pools of water around outside drain inspection openings
- Lowered water pressure throughout the property
- Leaking pipes or water spots on walls/ceilings
Addressing a blocked drain promptly is vital. Contact our team if you identify these early warning signs, and we can determine the cause of the blockage and remedy it.
Dealing with Drain Blockages
When faced with a blocked drain, there are some initial DIY steps that can be taken to try and clear minor clogs:
- You can use plunger technique over your drain, with repetitive action to exert pressure that may clear blockages
- Try pouring hot water down the drain to dissolve grease deposits
- Use a drain snake or auger to attempt hooking out hair, debris and other material causing a clog
- Apply baking soda and vinegar, allowing the fizzing reaction to work for 10-15 minutes before flushing with hot water
However, resorting to caustic drain cleaner solutions should be avoided as they present a risk of corroding pipes and causing damage into your plumbing system. Attempting to unscrew pipes or remove a toilet yourself is also inadvisable unless fully qualified.
The best way to handle severe or recurring blockages, or if DIY efforts fail, is to contact a professional plumber. We have industrial strength drain cleaning equipment to clear even the toughest clogs quickly and safely.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
- Major sewer line breaks, burst pipes or significant water leakage
- Toilet overflows with sewage backflows
- Recurring clogs that don’t clear with DIY methods
- Foul sewer gas smells detected inside the home
- Multiple drains are congested throughout the property
- Drain camera inspection determines pipe damage or obstacles
- Tree root growth found invading exterior drainage pipes
Our team, equipped with specialist tools and expertise, effectively tackles even severe issues in complex drainage systems. We precisely identify problem areas and apply suitable drain clearing solutions, such as high-pressure jetting, root cutting, or comprehensive repairs.
Don’t hesitate to call Pennant Hills Plumbing on 1300 349 338 or email [email protected] anytime for upfront quotes and priority assistance with blocked drains. As local industry leaders, we are available 24/7 to inspect, diagnose and rapidly fix any drain congestion issues.
Major sewer line breaks, burst pipes or significant water leakageToilet overflows with sewage backflowsRecurring clogs that don’t clear with DIY methodsFoul sewer gas smells detected inside the homeMultiple drains are congested throughout the property