Emergency plumber in Melbourne

Home / Blocked Pipe Repairs

Blocked Pipe Repairs

How to Maintain Healthy Pipes and Avoid the Headache of Blocked Pipes

Pipes are the biggest part of your plumbing system. They’re responsible for carrying water to and from all of your fixtures. So, if they block it can lead to significant headaches and expensive call-out fees for repairs.

The best thing you can do to avoid this is to take the time to implement preventative measures. A little extra time and effort now can save a lot in the future. To help, we’ll provide some measures you can take today to keep your pipes in top condition and avoid the headache of blocked pipes.

The causes of blocked pipes

The causes of blocked pipes are almost endless. It could be due to the accumulation of minerals or from flushing things you shouldn’t, like grease, wipes and hair, or it could be Mother Nature. Tree roots often like to find their way into pipes through joins or small cracks to steal the water. 

But the most important thing is to know how you can prevent these blockages from occurring in the first place.

Regular inspections and maintenance

The first thing you can do is go around and inspect all of your plumbing fixtures and components. Look for leaks or signs of wear and tear, corrosion or cracks as these seemingly small issues can quickly escalate into major plumbing problems. 

It’s also important to schedule periodic professional inspections with your local plumbing company as they can assess the hidden or harder to notice conditions that the untrained eye would usually miss. They can also complete all the required repairs on the spot before they escalate.

Tips for preventing blockages:

While inspecting your plumbing, you can also complete some simple maintenance tasks to care for your pipes, or make some changes to your daily routines to help to minimise the risks of blocked drains:

  • Drain Cleaning: Using eco-friendly or natural solutions, such as hot water, baking soda and vinegar, you can clean out your drains to remove any buildup of food particles, chemicals or minerals and keep your drains flowing smoothly.
  • Tree Root Management: Tree roots are a common cause of damaged pipes or blocked drains, as they work their way through joins or cracks in search of water. So, if you have any trees on your property, it may be beneficial to install root barriers.
  • Use Sink Strainers: Install or use sink or drain strainers to capture food scraps, hair and other debris that is likely to cause blockages, so you can dispose of this non-degradable rubbish correctly.
  • Dispose of Grease Properly: Similar to food scraps, grease and oils commonly block drains as they solidify and don’t break down. So, to stop this, tip them into a disposable container and put them in your household bin instead.
  • Be Mindful of What You Flush: Only flush what’s actually flushable. Never flush non-degradable items like sanitary products, tissues or wet wipes (even if they claim to be “flushable” because they’re often not!)
  • Maintain Proper Water Pressure: High water pressure can strain your pipes, causing them to come loose or burst. So, it’s essential to stay aware of any changes and act fast.

Signs of a potential blockage

Even with implementing all of the above precautions, it is still possible for blockages to occur. They’re less likely but still possible; so it’s essential to know the warning signs. Catching a blockage early can minimise the negative impacts on your plumbing system and property.

Keep an eye out for:

  • Slow Draining Pipes: If you notice that your sinks, baths, showers or plumbing appliances are taking a longer time to drain, it could be an early warning sign of a partial blockage.
  • Foul Odours: Unpleasant smells from drains are often a sign that organic matter is trapped in your pipes or dirty water is backed up. 
  • Gurgling Sounds: If you notice unusual gurgling noises coming from your drains, it could be a sign that air is trapped in your pipes or something solid is trying to move downstream.

Professional plumbing assistance

If you notice any of the above signs it’s important to act quickly. If you catch a partial blockage before it clogs your pipe fully you may be able to minimise the damage and repairs required. However, this isn’t something you should DIY. 

Blocked pipes are best left to experienced plumbers like our team at Essendon Plumbing Services. Our skilled technicians have years of experience, training and the specialised tools required to diagnose, locate and resolve pipe blockages safely and efficiently to restore the proper functioning of your plumbing system.

Avoid blocked pipes & ensure a healthy plumbing system

By making a few lifestyle changes, such as watching what you flush, you can keep your pipes healthy and reduce your risk of blocked pipes. But if it still happens, at least you now know what to look out for and when to call in the professionals.

Contact Us Today

How to Tell if Your Blocked Drain Pipe is an Emergency

Blocked drain pipes are a common issue in residential households and commercial properties alike. While some can be cleared quickly with simple DIY methods, others may be caused by a more serious problem in pipes requiring a professional plumber's attention.

In this blog, we’ll help you decipher between the two, so you will be able to identify the signs of a blocked drain pipe, when DIYs will help and when it’s essential to call an emergency plumber for assistance.

Signs of a Blocked Drain Pipe

To keep your water flowing smoothly through your pipes, it’s essential that you’re aware of the signs. Blocked drains or pipes are generally accompanied by the following signs:

  • Slow Drainage: Slowly draining sinks, showers, toilets and plumbing appliances (like dishwashers and washing machines, can indicate a partial blockage caused by grease, hair, food scraps or other debris.
  • Gurgling Noises: Any unusual sounds like gurgling or bubbling noises from drains can be indicative of an issue or blockage. These sounds usually occur when air is trapped in the pipes and unable to escape.
  • Foul Odours: Bad-smelling drains aren’t something you should or need to live with. They are generally caused by sewage blockages wafting back up the pipes and into your house. Breathing in these fumes also isn’t safe, so should be addressed promptly.
  • Water Backup: If water starts to back up in sinks, showers, or toilets, it’s a clear indication that the water is unable to flow away due to a blockage in the main sewer line. A bad backup can lead to flooding and water damage in your home if not addressed promptly.

Temporary DIY Solutions

If you notice any of the above signs, it’s important to act fast to prevent further issues or damages. You can start by attempting DIY tricks, like using a plunger, to unblock your drain pipes. 

You can use a plunger to try and dislodge minor blockages in sinks or shower drains or in toilets. First, ensure there’s a tight seal between the plunger and the fixture and then apply firm pressure in a pumping motion to create suction in the drain. This can help to break up a blockage or move it down the pipes. 

Assessing the Severity of the Blockage

While not all blocked drains are emergencies and can be cleared yourself, others can be more serious and require prompt attention to reduce further damage. To understand the severity of your blocked drain, consider:

  • Number of Blockages: A single blocked sink is usually not an emergency and can be cleared with DIY tricks, but if you have multiple blocked drains, it’s likely that the issue is more serious or complex.
  • Duration: If you’ve attempted to clear a blockage multiple times with no results, or if your drains are continually clogging then the issue could be further into the pipes and caused by tree roots, for example. 
  • Presence of Wastewater: If wastewater is backing up into your internal fixtures, this poses serious health risks and should be treated quickly and professionally.
  • Structural Damage: Finally, obviously, if the blockage is leading to serious structural damage from water leaks or backups, it needs to be addressed ASAP by a professional plumber.

When to Call an Emergency Plumber

The last thing to know about blocked pipes is when to put down the plunger and pick up the phone instead. All of the above situations, for example, are indicative of a serious blockage or issue in your pipes that requires immediate attention from a professional plumber.

  • Multiple Blocked Fixtures: As mentioned above, if you have multiple fixtures or drains that are continually or consecutively blocking, it can indicate a main sewer line blockage that requires immediate attention.
  • Sewage Backup: Don’t risk your health. As soon as you notice any wastewater backing up into your fixtures you need to pick up the phone and call an emergency plumber.
  • Flooding: Flooding doesn’t just require lengthy clean-ups but can also cause extensive water damage and encourage mould growth, so it’s essential to call an emergency plumber ASAP to identify the issue and prevent further damage.

Manage Blocked Drain Pipes on Your Property

A blocked drain pipe can start as a minor inconvenience, especially if it’s only a partial blockage, but if it’s left unaddressed the clog can grow and cause more issues. So, you can start with some simple DIY solutions to minimise the blockage and clear it before it gets bad, but if this doesn’t work you need to recognise that it’s time to call in the professionals.

If you experience any of the issues that we discussed today and think you have a serious blockage in your pipes, don’t hesitate to call our experienced emergency plumbers at Essendon Plumbing Services.

Contact Us Today

How to Tackle a Slow Draining Sink and When to Call a Plumber

A slow-draining sink can present as a minor inconvenience that just makes your daily tasks take a little longer. But over time this minor inconvenience can quickly turn into a significant plumbing problem as a partial blockage becomes a full blockage.

Today, we’ll provide you with some tips and tricks to help you tackle slow-draining sinks before they turn into major plumbing emergencies. Additionally, we’ll let you know the signs that it’s time to put down your tools and call the professionals instead.

Understanding the Causes

Partially blocked or slow-draining sinks can be caused by a number of factors, but most commonly they’re caused by an accumulation of grease, food scraps, hair, soap scum and other debris getting caught in the drains. As more debris accumulates in the pipes the blockage can grow and go from a partial blockage to a full one.

Slow-draining sinks can also be caused by tree roots infiltrating and damaging your pipes as they search for water. Roots can get into your pipes through cracks or joins and as they grow they can cause more damage and block the pipes completely.

DIY Solutions to Try

If your sinks only drain slowly every now and then it could be a minor issue, such as a build-up of dirt or soap scum. When this happens you can use simple DIYs to clear the blockage yourself, such as:

  • Boiling Water: The simplest solution to clear a partial blockage is to pour boiling water down the drain. This can help to dissolve any soap scum or small amounts of grease to dislodge the blockage and encourage water flow.
  • Plunger: If simply pouring hot water into the drain doesn’t clear the blockage, you may need to use a little elbow grease by employing a plunger. Plungers are one of the most effective ways to break up clogs and get your pipes flowing again. Make sure you have a tight seal and then plunge vigorously for about a minute and then try to flush your drain again.
  • Clean the P-Trap: The curved pipework under sinks is known to catch food scraps and debris and cause blockages. To clear a blockage in the P-trap, identify this fitting under your sink and place a bucket underneath it before carefully unscrewing the connections. You can then empty and clean the P-trap and reconnect it.

When to Suspect a Bigger Issue

If these simple DIY methods don’t prove effective, it’s a sign that the blockage could be caused by a more significant problem such as a major blockage downstream or tree roots in the pipes. Other clear signs that the issue is more significant, include:

  • Consistent Problems: If one or multiple sinks are repeatedly clogged or draining slowly, despite your best efforts to clear them, then there’s likely a more extensive blockage or damage within your pipes.
  • Foul Odours: Persistent sewage smells or odours coming from your drains are a clear indication of a buildup or organic matter (such as food scraps) stuck and possibly decomposing in your pipes.
  • Water Backing Up: If wastewater is backing up into the drains around your house, it can indicate a major blockage in the main sewer line. 
  • Gurgling Sounds: Gurgling or bubbling sounds in your drains are generally from air trapped inside the pipes and can be a sign that your pipes are completely blocked.

When to Call Professional Plumbers

If your best DIY methods fail to clear the blockage or if you notice any of the signs we just mentioned, it’s time to call a professional plumber. Professional plumbers have years of training, experience and specialised tools to identify and repair blockages in your pipes quickly, safely and effectively. 

At Essendon Plumbing Services, we specialise in unblocking sinks and have over 33 years of experience in the industry. So, we can provide:

  • Advanced Tools and Techniques: We have state-of-the-art tools and equipment like drain cameras to help us identify and locate blockages effectively.
  • Professional Assessment: We have seen hundreds of blocked sinks in our time so we can easily identify if a blockage is caused by a more complex issue. We can then determine the cause and repairs required to clear the issue and get your pipes flowing again.
  • Preventative Maintenance: Beyond addressing the immediate issue or blockage, we can also provide tips or regular maintenance services to reduce the risk of future blockages.

Ready to Get Your Slow Draining Sink Flowing Again?

In conclusion, while a slow-draining sink is often easily managed with quick DIY solutions, sometimes, if the issue persists, it could be an indication of a larger problem within your plumbing. If you think you have a major blockage in your pipes, call our experienced plumbers at Essendon Plumbing Services any time of the day or night for swift and effective repairs. 

Contact Us Today
Call Now Button