Drains explained: Common causes of clogged drains in your home

Drains explained: Common causes of clogged drains in your home

Even though we use them everyday, the average person gives little thought to the drains in their home. It’s only when a plumbing fixture stops working that people turn their attention to their home’s plumbing system. Taking time to learn more about your drains is beneficial because it can help prevent blockages from occurring. This blog post explains the main drains throughout the home and the most common causes of blockages.

Clogged laundry sink drains: Causes and prevention tips

Clogged laundry sink drains: Causes and prevention tips

When it comes to information on the internet, clogged laundry drains receive much less attention than other blocked drains in the home. The majority of articles focus on blocked drains in the kitchen, clogged toilets or blockages outside the home such as those in the main sewer line or stormwater drain. The reality is that laundry tubs and laundry sinks are just as susceptible to blockages as other drains. This articles looks at the primary causes of blocked laundry drains and the best ways to prevent them.

Five benefits of routine drain cleaning

Five benefits of routine drain cleaning

Little attention is given to a home’s drainage system until something goes wrong. It’s only when the sewer starts to overflow, the kitchen sink won’t drain properly or the toilet backs up that residents call a Sydney plumber to get their drains cleaned. However, the sewer system and plumbing pipes that transport waste away from your home should be maintained throughout the year, not only when they're malfunctioning. Regular maintenance can protect your home and family from the inconvenience of a clogged drain.

Top six blocked drain prevention tips

Top six blocked drain prevention tips

There are plenty of preventative measures that can be taken to minimise the risk of drain blockages in your home. As with most things, prevention is the best remedy. If you can avoid a clogged drain you will save yourself time, money, stress and the inconvenience of dealing with a blockage. Furthermore, some clogged drains can be unhygienic and messy too. This article offers six simple things you can do to reduce clogged drains and toilets at your property.

Blocked drains: Should you DIY or call a professional plumber?

Blocked drains: Should you DIY or call a professional plumber?

With a number of popular renovation shows being aired on mainstream television networks, do-it-yourself (DIY) repairs are becoming increasingly common. This includes DIY plumbing repairs such as unclogging a blocked drain. A quick search on google or youtube will produce a plethora of DIY videos and instructions explaining how to fix a slow draining sink or unblock a toilet. Many plumbing issues are indeed an easy fix and homeowners can feel confident attempting repairs on their own. However, other jobs are much more complex and should be left to professional plumbers.

What is pipe relining and how does it work?

What is pipe relining and how does it work?

Pipe relining (sometimes called trenchless or no-dig pipe repair) is a relatively new solution to damaged sewer and stormwater pipes. Previously, the only way to repair cracked, sagging or damaged plumbing pipes was to excavate the pipes and replace either a small section or the entire line. Pipe relining provides a cheaper, quicker and less disruptive solution to pipe excavation. As suggested by the name, the pipe relining process relines the inside of pipes, restoring functionality without the need to dig the pipes up and replace them.

How to unclog a bathtub drain

How to unclog a bathtub drain

A warm bubble bath is a great way to unwind at the end of a long day. However, stress can come quickly flooding back if you pull the plug and the bathtub won’t drain. A clogged bath drain becomes very inconvenient if the only shower in the house has been installed over the bath. Thankfully, there are a number of simple techniques you can try to unblock a bath drain. When you know how to unclog a bathtub drain, the problem can often be sorted out quickly and easily, without having to engage a plumber.

How to unblock a toilet at someone else's house (without leaving the bathroom)

How to unblock a toilet at someone else's house (without leaving the bathroom)

The only thing more anxiety-inducing than blocking your own toilet is clogging someone else's. It’s awkward enough having to use the toilet when you’re not in the comfort of your own home. But clogging the toilet in the process is the stuff nightmares are made of. Before panic sets in, here are a few emergency tactics you can try (without leaving the bathroom) when you’ve clogged someone’s toilet and are too mortified to tell them.

Drain cleaning: Jet blasters versus Drain Snakes and Electric Eels

Drain cleaning: Jet blasters versus Drain Snakes and Electric Eels

Many households will need to get their drains cleaned by a Sydney plumber at some point in time. Foreign debris that has been flushed down the toilet or washed down the sink can accumulate in drain pipes, causing drain blockages. When it comes to unclogging stubborn blocked drains and sewer pipes there are two main tools used by plumbers - jet blasters and drain snakes. Which tool is best, depends on the drain blockage that’s being treated. This article looks at these two different drain cleaning methods and the pros and cons of each.

How to deal with a clogged sewer main

How to deal with a clogged sewer main

A clogged main sewer line is probably the most unpleasant and messy emergency plumbing situations someone can face. The main sewer line is underground and runs from the house out to the street where it connects to the municipal sewer mains. Every plumbing fixture in the home is connected to the main sewer line. It carries wastewater away from the toilet, shower, laundry and every drain sink in the house. This article looks at what you need to do when the main sewer line is blocked.

Plumbing Cameras: How does a plumbing camera inspection work?

Plumbing Cameras: How does a plumbing camera inspection work?

Plumbing cameras are small, purpose-built cameras that are designed to inspect the inside of plumbing pipes such as the sewer or stormwater line. Plumbing cameras are attached to a long-reaching, flexible cable that can easily travel through bends in underground pipes. Also known as sewer cameras or drain cameras, this advanced technology is critical for diagnosing problems inside plumbing pipes and sewer lines.

Stormwater pollution, the environment and clogged drains

Stormwater pollution, the environment and clogged drains

Stormwater drains are designed to safely transport large volumes of rain water to our waterways. When it rains, water runs off outdoor surfaces such as roofs, streets, roads and open spaces into the nearest stormwater drain. Unfortunately, it’s not just rainwater entering the stormwater system. Many other things also end up in the stormwater drain and this is referred to as stormwater pollution. Grease, chemicals, oil and litter that end up in the stormwater drains are harmful to the environment and can cause blocked drains.

Plumbers Score With Royal Flush

Plumbers Score With Royal Flush

“People have been struggling to buy toilet paper so they’re just using whatever they can lay their hands on,” Mr Bonanno told The Daily Telegraph. “We have pulled out rags, socks, underwear - it’s a surprise every time.” Since the onset of Coronavirus, plumbers have seen a surge in the number of blocked drains cases throughout Sydney. The reason is two fold. Firstly, people are spending more time at home and the bathroom facilities are being used more regularly. Secondly, an inadequate supply of toilet paper has led some people to use substitutes such as wet-wipes and kitchen roll.

How to unclog a sink

How to unclog a sink

Clogged sink drains can make the necessities of daily life arduous. It’s hard to brush your teeth and wash your hands when the bathroom sink is clogged up. If the kitchen sink is clogged or slow draining you will struggle to wash the dishes or clean fruit and vegetables. People take these every day activities for granted, until there is a clogged drain. But clogged bathroom sinks and kitchen sinks can often be cleaned easily. This article will take you through some simple DIY methods to unclog a sink.

Plumber near me: Tips on choosing the best local plumber

Plumber near me: Tips on choosing the best local plumber

“Plumber near me” is the first thing most consumers type into a google search when something goes wrong with their plumbing. But how do you know which local plumber near you is the best plumber for the job at hand? When something is wrong with your home’s plumbing it’s imperative that the plumber you call is going to get the job done well and not overcharge for their services. Here are some handy tips to consider when selecting the best local plumber near you.

How to fix a slow draining toilet

How to fix a slow draining toilet

Do you have a slow draining toilet? Does the toilet water rise and take a few minutes to drain to normal height? A slow draining toilet can be very frustrating, particularly when a single flush doesn’t produce enough force to clear away the waste. When a toilet won’t flush properly this indicates a problem with your plumbing system. The good news is that a slow draining toilet may be a quick and easy fix.

Everything you need to know about drain plungers

Everything you need to know about drain plungers

Plunging is the first method we suggest to homeowners who want to attempt to unblock a drain themselves, without having to call in a plumber. Plungers are cheap, effective and readily available. They are also superior to other DIY drain cleaning methods such as chemical drain cleaners which are dangerous and corrosive. This article looks at the different kinds of drain plungers and toilet plungers and how to use them effectively.