When you’re doing the dishes and notice that the sink takes longer than usual to drain, it’s a sign of blockage. Worse, it may not even drain at all. Blocked drains, believe it or not, are pretty common. It usually means an obstruction somewhere in the pipes.
Blocked drains are easily recognisable. They cause incredible inconvenience to Perth homeowners, especially when the kitchen sink or shower drain overflows. If you don’t act quickly, it can lead to water damage, which you’ll observe in the flooring and walls. But you will not immediately see the damage right away. If you suspect your drains are blocked, you should look for the following signs:
- Water drains slowly or doesn’t drain away at all.
- One appliance rises when another is in use. For example, the water rises in the shower whenever you flush the toilet.
- You smell something foul in the kitchen, bathroom, or garden.
- You hear gurgling and other unusual sounds from the drains and pipes.
Some of the causes of blocked drains are:
- Feminine hygiene products, wipes, tissues, and condoms flushed in the bathroom toilet
- Grease and fat build-up in kitchen drains
- Accumulated leaves, dirt, twigs, and other debris in outdoor drains
Tree roots can also lead to obstructions in the pipe. If the roots continue growing, they could damage the piping system, preventing proper water flow.
Can You Prevent Drain Blockage in Your Perth Home?
The good news is many causes of blocked drains are preventable. For example, we have mentioned above that certain items can clog the toilet, resulting in blockage. By avoiding discarding tissues and other objects into the toilet, you lower the risk of facing clogged drains significantly.
Also, dumping fat or grease into the kitchen sink can reduce the occurrence of the problem. Many homeowners don’t know that pouring oil or fat down the sink can cause a massive issue. When the grease cools, it gets hard and becomes a solid mass. That’s why there is usually an obstruction whenever the sinks are clogged.
As for tree roots, the only way to stop them from breaking the pipes is to get rid of them. When you know the primary cause of blocked drains in your house, it’s easier to find a solution and even stop it from reoccurring.
Tips for Clearing the Drains
Once you have identified that you have a clogged toilet, sink, shower, or bath drain, the next logical step is to fix the problem. You want to unblock those drains as quickly as possible. Chances are the blockage is causing an odour issue in the house and perhaps even overflowing water. Here are some ways for you to solve the blocked drains:
- Use a PlungerEvery homeowner owns at least one plunger, and you do not need to be a handyman to learn how to use it. The plunger is the easiest and simplest way to fix blocked drains without the help of a professional. Plungers seal the drain or toilet. When you use your plunger, pushing and pulling it a few times, this tool forces water to go in both directions. It is usually effective in loosening manageable blockages. Make sure that it is submerged in water before you start pumping. That way, the plunger will not trap air in the pipe.
- Pick a compressed air plungerIf the blockage is tough, a compressed air plunger can be used. It is more powerful than the traditional plunger. Many compressed air plungers are in the shape of a gun. When you pull the trigger, compressed air goes down the pipes, creating a shockwave that can help dislodge the obstruction. Compared to the standard plunger, this variety helps remove blockages around bends.
- Jet pumps are also an option.If you do not have a compressed air plunger, you can use a handheld jet pump if you have one. This tool is similar to the plunger, but it uses water to push or remove the blockage down the pipe. This water jet comes with adaptors that you can use for drains and toilets, ensuring the whole opening is sealed.
What You Shouldn’t Do When Dealing with Blocked Drains
When searching for quick fixes for blocked drains online, you will read that you can use chemicals to dissolve the blockage. These strong chemical cleaners do help improve water flow issues you may have in your home. However, these products are not recommended because they can harm the environment and your health. Also, they are ineffective in completely and properly removing obstructions.
Another option is to use natural ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, or other mixtures. They may alleviate simple issues, but they are not a complete solution. Often, these mixtures merely remove the sewer smell.
Hire a Perth Plumbing Professional
Instead of attempting to fix the issue on your own, the best way is to contact a plumber. Drains in your home lead to one sewer. That’s why many people assume that pipes and drains work the same way. But the truth is these networks are quite complex, each with its own characteristics. You need the expert knowledge of a plumbing professional who knows the safe and correct way to navigate through the drains, piping system, and sewer.
Plumbing specialists do not use plungers, especially for severe problems. They have advanced tools that will surely get the job done. Plumbers go beyond fixing the clogged drains. They use a technique for detecting issues that cause the blockage. From there, a solution will be chosen based on the blocked drain cause to provide quick and long-lasting results.
Remove the guesswork in fixing blocked drains in your home. Contact Perth Local Plumbing & Gas to stop the problem before it gets worse.
