When do you need an expert plumber with a drain snake?

Clogged drains in your home are inevitable, and at some point, you’re going to have to deal with unblocking a kitchen sink, bathroom shower, blocked toilet or a clogged drain so best you prepare yourself with the knowledge on how to unclog a drain, that way when it happens, you’re ready and it won’t catch you off guard.

There are several ways to clear a blocked drain and they are all dependant on the cause and location of the blockage. Plungers and Sewer drain Snakes are both effective ways of clearing clogged drains, the key is knowing when you might need an expert plumber in Melbourne and when you should attempt it yourself.

When to use a plunger

If you hear funny gurgling sounds when you flush your toilet or your kitchen sink is draining slowly, these are 2 sure signs you have a clogged drain and the first go-to for instant relief should be to grab your plunger (see our blog on best DIY drain plungers to buy at Bunnings) and have a go at unblocking it yourself, remember though you need to use the right plunger for the job, it’s not the case that any plunger will do. A slowly draining kitchen sink will usually clear with the use of a good quality cup plunger, whereas a blocked toilet will require a bit more elbow grease and persistence using an Accordion Plunger.

If the drain won't clear though then it's likely the clogged drain is more serious than you first thought and will require a greater intervention, time to call your licensed expert Master Plumber in Melbourne.

When to call an expert plumber to use a drain snake

Sewer machines or Drainage Snakes are a sure-fire way to unclog stubborn clogged drains and blockages that are located further down the drainage pipe. A drainage snake consists of cables made of coiled metal, an electric motor and cutting head attachments. The cables are passed through a motor that rotates the cables in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction depending on whether you are clearing or retrieving the blockage. There are several different types of cutting heads or retrieval heads that can be installed on the end of the cable to assist in unclogging the drain. The cables come in set lengths so depending on how far the blockage is down the pipe will depend on how many cables need to be attached to get to the obstruction and clear it. Once the blockage is reached the action of the rotating cable with a cutting head attached will cut through and dislodge the blockage into the drain allowing it to be retrieved or flushed away.

There are two main reasons why drain snakes should only be operated by an expert plumber and are NOT a DIY tool.

• Your home drainage system consists of a detailed maze of pipes and pipe materials that can be easily damaged by the incorrect use of a drain snake.
• Drainage Snakes can be dangerous in the wrong hands, an inexperienced user can easily put themselves in harms and cause serious injury by getting caught up in winding cables.

When is a CCTV drain plumbing camera needed

There are various reasons why drains get clogged, tree roots forming in the drain, a build-up of debris, fat burgs, damaged pipes and the list goes on and on. What’s important in determining how to unblock your drain is what’s causing your drain to block in the first place, and this is where CCTV cameras are a plumber's best friend.

CCTV sewer equipment not only allows plumbers to inspect a drain and identify the cause of the blockage before choosing the most appropriate method to clear it, but it also allows them to inspect the drain after its cleared to make sure it’s running freely, and the network of pipes have no further damage needing repair.

Plumbing Camera inspections ultimately save time and money in repairing and maintaining your home drainage systems and help plumbers provide solutions.

When to call a Licensed Drain Plumber

DIY drain clearing can be achieved using the correct plunger but often there is an underlying issue causing your drain to clog or run slow that ultimately needs to be attended to by an expert plumber in Melbourne. Long term relief from clogged drains requires the use of specialised equipment and years of plumbing experience and expertise in unblocking drains to determine the most cost-effective long-term solution to your clogged drains.

If you require an expert Drainage Plumber to unblock your drains in Melbourne then call Essendon Plumbing Services, 24/7- 365 days of the year, we look forward to hearing from you. Click on our pricing page to see a full list of our fees and charges.