Blocked Drain Solutions

Do you have a blocked drain in your commercial or residential property in Brisbane? This might be one of the most stressful experiences to deal with if you are without the necessary knowledge. However, you don't have to worry because there are several effective methods that you could apply to unblock your water systems.

To get the best-blocked drain solution, it's critical first to understand the signs indicative of a blocked drain and the cause of the blockage. This article provides a detailed guide on the best-blocked drainage solutions and other relevant information. Read on for more!

Why Is Your Drain Blocked?

Here are some significant causes of a blocked drain in your home or business.

Fat and grease

Fat and grease are the major causes of blocked drains in most properties in Brisbane. Fatty substances have sticky properties, making them easier to attach themselves to pipes. With time, the fat and grease clog your drains, making it hard for water to pass through.

Luckily, clogged drains caused by fat and grease are the easiest culprit to deal with. You just need to avoid pouring fatty substances down your drains and sinks. You could also make it a habit to pour hot water down your drains after pouring any greasy substances.

Hair

Hair might seem too delicate to cause any blockage in your drains; however, that's not the case. When hair builds up, it could cause a total blockage of your drains. This mostly happens in bathroom drains where you brush or clean your hair.

To prevent hair blockage, the best option is to regularly check for hair accumulation around the plughole. You could also install products designed to catch hair into your drains to prevent it from going down your plug holes.

Foreign objects

Foreign objects could also cause complete blockage of your drains and prevent the free flow of water. Some things that could block your drains include sanitary items, nappies, and soaps.

To prevent the problem, you must pay close attention to what you put down your toilet and other drains and avoid flushing the wrong items and causing blockages. Educating kids in your household on things that should not be flushed or thrown down your drains is vital.

Toiletries

Toilet paper and baby items could also block your drains. Though toilet paper is made to be flushed down the drain, you should avoid flushing excessive amounts. Excess pieces of toilet paper stick together and could get attached to anything inside your drains, leading to a blockage.

Additionally, baby items such as nappies and wipes shouldn't be put down your toilet. Unless you use flushable wipes, other types don't dispense in water, increasing the risks of blockage inside the drains.

Leaves and tree roots

Leaves and tree roots could also cause blockage in your drains. A flourishing garden requires high-level maintenance, so ensure it is free from debris and leaves because they could cause blockage in your drains.

You should also avoid planting trees near your piping system because the roots could cause blockage and make the pipes crack. This happens because the roots grow towards the pipes in search of water.

Heavy rains and storms

At times, rainwater could overwhelm your drains, especially those located in the sewer and roof, if they are not in the proper condition. With torrential rainfall, the water cannot get away as quickly as required leading to blocked stormwater drains. This could, in turn, cause water backups and flooding that could cause damage to your property.

Best Blocked Drain Solutions

After you identify the blockage in your drains, you should look for the best way to remove the blockage. There are homemade solutions and other methods that you could use in the process. Here are some of the best-blocked drain solutions to apply.

Boiling water

This is the simplest if you have a blocked drain in your commercial or residential property. It's a straightforward and nontoxic way to remove the blockage. You only need to pour hot water in sink holes, toilet bowls, and drain holes.

The boiling water breaks down food, soap, and grease accumulated in your drains, causing the blockage. You could also mix the hot water with your preferred mild detergent to tackle the grease.‍

Note: If you have PVC pipes on your property, use hot water instead of boiling water to avoid damaging them.

Natural drain cleaners

Another great solution is to use natural drain cleaners to clear your clog. Simply pour a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar down your blocked drain. The two react together to break down solids and clean grease effectively. Then, flush the drain with hot water to remove the residue.

Alternatively, you could use commercial drain cleaners like bacteria-based enzyme cleaners. However, remember that this solution is not applicable if dealing with blockages caused by tree roots or plastic objects.

Caustic cleaners

Though they aren't eco-friendly, commercial caustic cleaners could help dissolve more challenging blockages such as hair and grease. When using acidic cleaners, use rubber gloves and wear a mask to protect your hands.

Leave the cleaners for the recommended time and flush the drains with cold water afterward to remove the chemical residue. You must avoid flushing with hot water as it might react with the chemicals.‍

Note: Do not use acidic cleaners for older and PVC pipes, as they could damage your plumbing system.

Plunger

Cup plungers are practical and non-chemical solutions for blocked sink drains. To unblock your drain using a cup plunger, start by covering the overflow drain with a damp cloth or tape to design a seal.

You should seal the second drain to achieve the proper pressure in a double sink. Then, press your plunger up and down over the drainage hole to create an air-based force to move the blockage.

You could also use a toilet plunger or flange to unclog your toilet drain. Note that mineral remnants and grease don't respond effectively to plunging, so you should apply any of the other applicable options.

DIY drain snake

You could easily design a DIY drain snake from a coat hanger to remove any minor blockages, such as soap or hair, from your drain. You only need to straighten the hanger and use the hooked end to clear the clog.

Additionally, if the drain valve for your hot water system is blocked due to sediment buildup, you could use this method to unclog it. Alternatively, you could purchase a drain auger, a handheld version of the plumber snake.

Plumber drain snake

A plumber snake helps remove drain clogs near the opening of drains. This tool features a sharp-tipped coil at the cable end and requires you to spin it to clear blockages. It has a more extended range than a handheld drain auger and works best when operated by a plumber.

CCTV drain inspection camera

Drain inspection cameras are effective devices used to locate obstructed or cracked pipes. It could also help detect a blockage's location to determine the best way to remove it. The camera is usually attached to a cable reel and is guided through pipes to facilitate real-time inspection and identify the issue.

High-pressure water jet

High-pressure water jets or hydro jets are highly effective in removing even the toughest blockages. However, it would be best if you left its operation to an expert plumber because the force produced by this device is relatively strong. The water pressure can clear tree roots and the most challenging blockages from your drains.

Excavation

If you have a severe blockage in your plumbing system, you should hire a plumber to excavate the area around the piping system, get rid of the blockages, repair the damage and then replace the pipe. Old clay pipes could collapse and crack, and the whole pipe might need to be dug up and replaced to remove the blockage.

Pipe relining

You could also hire a plumber to reline any existing older pipes using an epoxy resin that hardens to make the pipes watertight. It also makes the pipes resistant to tree roots that could block your drains.

Before pipe relining, your plumber uses a CCTV camera and water jets to identify and clear the blockages. No-dig pipe relining has become popular among property owners who want to avoid excavating when repairing pipes.

Need Expert Help Dealing with Your Blocked Drain?

If you have a blocked drain in your residential and commercial property in Brisbane, you could get the best results by hiring a reliable plumbing contractor near you. These experts could help unblock your drains and offer long-lasting solutions to any recurring blockage problems.

They also have the right tools and apply the latest technology to ensure your drains are unblocked efficiently and safely. Additionally, they could help with all emergencies to ensure your property doesn't experience water damage or flooding due to drain clogs.