Do’s & Don'ts for Clearing Blocked Drains

Recognizing the Signs of a Blocked Drain Emergency

A sudden drain blockage can trigger an urgent plumbing crisis. The most telling signs include water pooling in sinks or tubs, foul odours emanating from drains, and loud gurgling noises as water attempts to drain. These symptoms signal a complete or partial blockage in your home’s wastewater system.

Stagnant water and offensive odours from a clogged drain can quickly become serious problems if ignored.

Upon noticing these warning signs, use the affected drains minimally to avoid making the blockage worse.

Check for visible obstructions you can safely remove. Reacting quickly when confronted with potential drain blockages is crucial. Keep in mind that some items must never go down the drain and contact an emergency plumber to prevent a disaster.

Causes of Blocked Drains

Blocked drains are typically caused by the gradual build-up of materials that should not enter the wastewater system. Food scraps going down sink drains also frequently cause jams.

Foreign items like wet wipes, cotton buds and dental floss can cause severe drainage issues when flushed down toilets. Over time, materials that should never go down the drain cause interiors to become caked with stubborn scum, restricting water flow. Partial obstructions then snag subsequent debris until total blockage occurs.

Nearly every drain in your home is susceptible to blockages, with kitchen sinks and bathroom drains being typical problem spots. It’s important to be aware of daily activities that cause avoidable strain on drainage infrastructure. Simple measures like scraping plates and installing drain screens mitigate blockage risks throughout your entire home.

Preventative Measures to Avoid Blocked Drains

Adopting proactive habits is crucial to avoiding the inconvenience of blocked drains. Simple steps to prevent blockages within pipes can spare homeowners headaches down the road.

Use Drain Strainers and Filters

Installing strainers or screens in sinks, tubs, and showers help catch debris before it enters the pipes. These removable filters trap hair and food scraps easily cleared away. Strainers permit water to flow freely while intercepting potential blockages.

Dispose of Items Properly

Only rainwater, wastewater and toilet paper should enter your drains and home drainage systems. Place wipes, paper towels, dental floss and hygiene products in bins instead of toilets.

Many items labelled “flushable” still pose risks. Proper disposal prevents accumulation within pipes over time.

Clean Catchers and Drain Covers

Drain filters can accumulate residue over time, leading to hardened deposits that restrict water flow. Monthly cleaning keeps catchers and strainers clear of obstructions. Rinse away hair and residue under running water or use a small brush to dislodge grime.

Monthly Maintenance with Baking Soda and Vinegar

A simple treatment of hot water with baking soda, followed by pouring vinegar down, prevents buildup and maintains free flow. Follow with 1 cup baking soda, allowing 5 minutes to work before flushing with 1 cup heated white vinegar.

Pour boiling water down affected drains monthly for maintenance and to prevent buildup.

Do’s for Managing Blocked Drains

In a drain blockage situation, take measured steps to clear the obstruction and restore flow before considering a plumber. Don’t worsen the problem by using the affected drain or adding harmful chemicals.

Determine the Affected Drains

Check all sink basins, tubs and showers for pooling water, foul odours or noisy gurgling indicating a clog. Knowing which drains exhibit blockage signs will aid troubleshooting efforts.

Use a Plunger

For sink, tub and shower clogs, a forceful plunge straight down with a well-sealed plunger creates pressure to dislodge obstructions. Ensure you cover overflow holes completely during the plunging process. Repeat until the obstruction clears.

Hand-Crank Drain Snakes

Manually cranked augers threaded down drain lines have grabber hooks to catch debris. Carefully rotate the snake end once inserted until feeling the clog. Remove debris or push beyond the blockage point to restore flow.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Treatment

Pour 1⁄2 cup baking soda down the blocked sink or shower drain followed by 1 cup heated white vinegar. The chemical reaction breaks apart grease and residue while pressure flushes loose debris. Follow with boiling water.

Avoid Harsh Chemical Drain Cleaners

Liquid drain cleaners often contain corrosive chemicals that could damage your pipes. Instead, rely on natural solutions like baking soda vinegar treatments to clear minor blockages.

Know When to Call the Pros

If DIY efforts fail to open stubborn clogs, a call to an emergency plumber becomes essential to prevent extensive repairs later. Professionals have specialised drain augers reaching deep blockages beyond homemade solutions.

DIY Solutions for Unblocking Drains

Before calling a professional, inexpensive homemade solutions may dislodge minor drain clogs. Always ensure safety and remember these solutions are temporary fixes for simple blockages.

Boiling Water

Boiling water can melt and dislodge grease buildup in a blocked drain. Wait a few minutes for the gas hot water to work before flushing with cold water.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Mix 1 cup baking soda with 2 cups white vinegar, allowing the fizzing reaction to occur before pouring down the drain. The pressure flush can dislodge debris deeper than boiling water alone. Rinse thoroughly.

Sodium Bicarbonate and Salt

For tougher obstructions, pour 1⁄2 cup sodium bicarbonate and 1⁄2 cup table salt into the drain. Follow up with 2 cups heated white vinegar to react with the salty base and produce elevated fizzing. Flush with hot water.

DIY methods only provide temporary relief for straightforward clogs. Call a professional plumber for serious, deep-seated blockages requiring mechanical clearing.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While initial attempts to clear a blocked drain yourself are wise, it’s crucial to know when to call a professional. If DIY solutions provide no relief or you suspect a serious underlying issue, it’s time to contact a licenced plumber soon.

Signs It’s Time to Call the Experts

You should seek professional help when you notice these signs:

• DIY remedies have failed after multiple attempts
• Backed-up water and sewage overflows inside your home
• Foul odours persist from multiple drains
• You experience low water pressure throughout pipes
• Sinks and bathtubs exhibit a slow flow, taking longer than 60 seconds to drain
• The clog resides within your main sewer line or lateral pipe

Benefits of Calling Bossley Park Plumbing

Choose licenced professionals with the right expertise and equipment to tackle complex sewer pipe clogs for proper wastewater flow. We determine underlying causes like blocked sewer issues and provide long-term solutions. Seeking professional assistance provides benefits such as:

• Camera drain inspections identifying blockage locations
• High-pressure water jetting clearing stubborn obstructions
• Trenchless sewer relining to repair pipe damage
• CCTV investigations of entire systems
• Hydro jet clearing of main drains
• Advice preventing future blockage occurrences

Maintaining a Clog-Free Plumbing System

A dedicated maintenance routine is essential to keep your plumbing system operational and blockage-free. The average household has numerous contact points with drainage infrastructure, so conscious day-to-day habits make a significant cumulative impact.

Keep Drains Clean

Weekly, clean pipes by pouring a mix of boiling water and baking soda down sinks and showers. Monthly, use a bendable drain snake to pull out strands of hair catching debris.

Fitting Drain Strainers and Filters

Fitting sink strainers, tub shroom drain protectors and stainless steel mesh screens over drain openings prevents hair and food scraps from ever entering pipes, reducing the chances of a blocked shower. This first line of defence keeps water flowing freely.

Upgrade Old or Damaged Pipes

Improperly graded drain lines, root intrusions or cracks in ageing pipes in your house impede wastewater flow even without clogs. A professional plumbing inspection using pipe cameras can identify issues for correction before blockages occur.

Dispose of Paper Products Properly

Despite “flushable” labelling on many paper products, these items can snag inside drains and accumulate over time. Opt for restroom bins rather than toilets for any paper waste beyond pure toilet paper.

Be Mindful of Daily Water Use

Maintain consistent water flow in pipes by spacing out laundry, dishwashing, and showers. Monitor tap and plumbing gas usage to avoid needless strain on your plumbing system. Report leaks, running toilets or dripping taps immediately to prevent excess wastewater entering sewers.

For professional plumbing assistance, contact Bossley Park Plumbing at 1300 349 338. Trust in our team to ensure your plumbing, gas fittings, and drains operate smoothly throughout the years.