Warning signs of a blocked drain

The first warning sign that a clog in a drain is forming is when you notice the water is slow to drain. For example, you may be brushing your teeth or shaving while leaving the tap running. Instead of the water freely flowing down the drain, the basin starts to fill up and forms a puddle. This eventually drains once the tap is off, but it’s slow to recede.

The most obvious sign of a blocked drain is when the water fails to drain at all. This indicates a completely blocked pipe that needs immediate attention.

Other signs that a clog is forming include a foul odour coming from the drain, or hearing strange gurgling sounds. Clear drains usually don’t smell and don’t make gurgling noises.

The common causes of blocked drains and prevention methods

Before delving into solutions for clearing a clog, let’s go over the most common causes of blocked drains in a typical Aussie household and what you can do to prevent a clog.

1. The kitchen

A lot of activity takes place in the average kitchen. People use the kitchen sink more than any other in the sink or basin in the house, and a lot of debris gets into the drain. One of the main reasons the drain beneath the kitchen sink clogs up is from pouring oil down it. Oil coats the pipe and makes it sticky. Every time food particles or other debris find their way down the plug hole, these particles adhere to the oil and gradually form a clog.

Prevention methods: Never pour oil down the kitchen sink. Instead, dispose of it by filling up old plastic containers and discarding in the garbage. With leftover food scraps, scrape as much off the dinnerware as possible before washing the dishes. Don’t peel vegetables in the sink and attempt to flush the peelings down the drain.

2. Bathrooms

The bathroom basin can suffer from a build up of hair, facial hair, undissolved toothpaste, shaving cream, make up and other debris. This can lead to a slow draining basin or a blocked drain. In baths and showers, the main culprits that cause a clog are a combination of hair and soap scum. Hair acts like a net that catches debris. Toilets block up due to people flushing foreign objects and materials.

Prevention methods: It can be hard to keep debris from going down the bathroom basin, but you can ensure that you don’t allow undissolved toothpaste to fall into the sink, and refrain from trimming beards or cutting hair over the bathroom basin. For baths and showers, with hair being the main culprit, get into the habit of brushing your hair before bathing. This removes loose hair and minimises the amount of hair going down the drain. For toilets, never flush paper towels, wet wipes or sanitary napkins. These items belong in the bin only, not in the toilet.

3. The laundry

Lint from clothing, paper or other items left in pockets during a wash cycle, fabric softener, and undissolved laundry detergent are common contributors to blocked drains in the laundry.

Prevention methods: Always check for objects left in pockets before putting clothing in the wash. Regularly clean the lint filter on the washing machine. Use a liquid laundry detergent instead of powder, and minimise the use of fabric softener.

4. In the yard

Aside from the potential build up of debris in grey water and sewerage pipes, the most common cause of a blocked drain out in the yard is when a tree root penetrates the pipes and prevents water flow.

Prevention methods: While it’s virtually impossible to foresee or prevent a tree root from penetrating an underground pipe, you can remove a tree that you know is growing too close to the outdoor plumbing system.

Practical solutions for clearing slow and clogged drains

Let’s now cover some DIY methods to clear slow or blocked drains.

A. Try a plunger

Every household should have a plunger in the cupboard, ready to use in the event of a blocked drain. If a sink or toilet appears to have a clog, often you can resolve the issue by simply plunging the drain or toilet a few times, and then flushing the clog free with running water. If the first attempt doesn’t clear the pipe, repeat the process.

B. Try boiling water

Boil the kettle and then pour the water directly into the drain. This works well on the kitchen sink, as the culprit is often a build up of oil and grease. The boiling water dissolves the oil or grease and frees the block.

C. Use a plumbing snake

Plumbing snakes, or augers, are a length of flexible wire that feed down the drain. Once you reach the clog, twist the handle until you feel the block break free. Augers are great for more stubborn clogs.

D. The vinegar and baking soda method

First, perform the boiling water method. Follow this up by adding half to one cup of baking soda to the drain. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Next, pour a cup of white vinegar into the drain, followed by more boiling water. Cover the drain for about 10 minutes to allow the mixture to dissolve the clog.

E. Use a drain cleaner

Many drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals and solvents, so use these as a last resort if all of the above methods fail to free the blockage. Buy a reputable drain cleaner from the supermarket or hardware store and follow the instructions.

We will clear your blocked drain

If you’re located in Sydney’s Lower North Shore and you have a drainage issue, don’t wait for it to become a major problem. Give Chris Lobb Plumbing a call.

We offer comprehensive plumbing services, and we have the tools and expertise to locate the source of the block and clear it quickly. Contact us today and we’ll resolve your plumbing problems.