Introduction to Blocked Drains
A well-maintained plumbing system is critical for homes and businesses alike, and our plumbing services are devoted to keeping your systems in optimal shape.
However, blocked drains can cause major inconvenience, damage, and even health hazards if left untreated. Knowing how to keep your drains free-flowing with the right information can help you avoid costly plumbing emergencies.
As an established plumbing company serving Cambridge Park for over 10 years, Cambridge Park Plumbing has extensive expertise in identifying and resolving blocked drains. Whether it’s a simple sink or tub drain, your sewer line blockage, or a blocked stormwater drain issue, we have the skills and experience to diagnose the problem and get your drains flowing freely again.
We use state-of-the-art equipment like CCTV drain inspection and hydro-jetting for even the most severe blockages. Our licensed plumbers highly recommend routine drain maintenance to prevent future clogs.
This guide will equip Gold Coast homeowners to handle minor drain blockages themselves and effectively clear blocked drain issues but also understand when it’s most astute to contact a professional plumber. Read on to know how unblock drains early, try DIY remedies, and understand options like hydro jetting to restore proper drainage throughout your Cambridge Park property.
Signs You Have a Blocked Drain
Various signs suggest a blocked drain in your property:
- With the drain blocked, water draining slowly or not at all from sinks, tubs, showers or toilets becomes a common issue
- Gurgling sounds coming from drain pipes
- Sinks or tubs taking longer than usual to empty
- Your toilet backing up with drain water
- Foul sewage odours coming from drains
- Pools of standing water around floor drains
- Multiple plumbing fixtures affected at once
- Bubbling water coming up from floor drains or toilet bowls
- Presence of dirt, grease, hair or debris around affected drains
A blocked drain can damage your interiors, causing water damage, unhealthy mould growth, and sewage backups if ignored. These signs blocked pipes indicate an obstruction in your drainage system that needs immediate attention. Don’t hesitate to remove any clogs by contacting our drain specialists at 1300 349 338 if you notice these signs of a blocked drain.
Cambridge Park Plumbing can diagnose all types blocked drains and restore proper drainage throughout your property using methods like high-powered hydro jetting.
Slow or No Drainage
Without intervention, the situation will only get worse over time.
Ignoring slow drainage is risky and could lead to larger plumbing emergencies. Slow drains allow debris, grease, hair and soap scum to continue collecting in your pipes, which can eventually lead to a complete blockage. Water can also back up and cause flooding or overflow issues.
Take swift action and turn off the water before contacting Cambridge Park Plumbing when you spot the initial tell-tale signs of slow drainage in your sink. We can service residential and commercial plumbing systems and keep drainage flowing smoothly throughout your property.
The sooner you address plumbing issues by contacting us, the better - we can often tackle minor clogs with methods like augering or hydro jetting your sewer drain. But if left unchecked, blockages can harden and may require extensive repairs like sewer line replacement. Rely on your plumbing service at Cambridge Park Plumbing to address slow or clogged drains before they escalate.
Gurgling Noises
If you begin hearing gurgling sounds coming from your drains or toilet, it’s a telltale sign of a blockage. Air bubbles moving through the water get trapped at the clog site, creating a bubbling or burbling noise in your pipes. It’s caused by a partial blockage preventing wastewater from draining freely.
Gurgling noises indicate the early stages of a clogged drain while drainage is still sluggish. But left unchecked, gurgling can quickly turn into a complete clog with zero drainage and sewage backups. Hearing gurgling means there’s likely debris, grease, hair or other material forming an obstruction in your pipes.
Don’t ignore gurgling drains in your Cambridge Park home. We use state-of-the-art drain cameras and hydro jetting to remove even severe clog obstructions.
Contact Cambridge Park Plumbing when you notice gurgling noises so we can clear the blockage promptly. Rely on the drain specialists who fixed our pipes in Cambridge Park to restore free drainage and prevent hazardous backups by acting quickly at the first gurgles.
Foul Odors
Bad or foul smells emerging from sinks, drains, or other plumbing fixtures can indicate a blockage. When organic matter like food scraps or oils accumulate in pipes, They putrefy and release unpleasant gaseous odours, so ensure your drainage stays clean. Gases like hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and methane are byproducts of waste breakdown that smell rotten or sulphurous when released.
Sewage gas buildup is another common source of rancid smells from drains.
Don’t dismiss a sudden foul odour from drains as normal. Prompt drain cleaning or vent repair by our pros can restore fresh indoor air.
Foul smells signify a blocked drain or venting issue that allows gases to leak inside rather than safely venting outdoors. Call in his team of Cambridge Park’s main sewer line specialists if any drain emits a rotten egg, sewage, or methane smell. You can use gas detectors and drain cameras to pinpoint blockages or breaks in vent pipes releasing dangerous gases inside your home or business.
Backed Up Sinks/Tubs
Water failing to drain and accumulating in the bathroom sink or kitchen sinks and tubs is a clear indication your drain is blocked. Standing water that takes longer than usual to empty means there is a clog preventing wastewater from flowing freely down the pipes. Allowing water to stand invites bacteria growth and can overflow to flood surrounding areas if the blockage worsens.
Never overlook any sink or tub that drains your patience by being slow or completely backed up.
If your sinks or tubs aren’t draining properly, contact Cambridge Park Plumbing immediately to clear the blockage. Prompt service prevents backed-up water damage and hazardous mould concerns.
Our very professional team has state-of-the-art equipment and carries out quality work in diagnosing and resolving drain issues to pinpoint the location and cause of the clog and restore normal drainage. We effectively eliminate obstructions using a drain auger, high-pressure hydro jetting, and sometimes stormwater drain replacement. Trust Cambridge Park’s drain specialists who did a great job unclogging sink and tub drains before they escalated to costly emergencies.
Causes of Blocked Drains
Blocked drains usually result from accumulated materials constricting water flow. Common causes include:
- Grease, oil and fat - Cooking oils and greasy foods washed down sinks can coat and clog pipes.
- Hair - Strands from showers and sinks accumulate and tangle together.
- Food waste - Leftover scraps and peels can get lodged in pipes.
- Tree roots - Roots slowly invade, becoming what they were not intended to be, and crush old pipes.
- Sediment - Soil, gravel and grit from an outside drain enters your plumbing system.
- Toiletries - Excess paper, cotton swabs and dental floss stick to pipes.
- Toys, sticks, rocks - Kids sometimes flush inappropriate items.
Regular drain maintenance such as straining out food particles, avoiding grease buildup, and using hair catchers can help prevent many blockages. Tree roots and collapsed pipes require professional repair. Contact Cambridge Park Plumbing for prompt attention if you notice any signs of a clogged drain.
Grease and Fat Buildup
One of the most common culprits leading to blocked drains is grease, oil and fat. Cooking residues containing oils, fats, and grease poured down the kitchen sink can gradually accumulate on pipe walls.
Grease sticks to pipes because it does not dissolve in water.
Hot water may initially wash grease down, but as it cools, grease congeals into solid masses that catch food scraps and other debris flowing through drains. Fatty foods like meat trimmings, butter, cooking oil, and dairy can quickly coat pipes when rinsed off plates or utensils.
Wiping plates and cookware before washing can significantly reduce the incidence of clogs.
Collect oil/grease in containers to discard with solid wastes rather than being poured into drain systems.
Tree Roots
Tree roots are among the common causes of blocked drains, particularly in older homes. As trees mature, their roots extend well beyond the tree canopy in search of water. Once inside, roots continue growing and eventually clog the drain line.
Older clay or concrete sewer pipes can provide an entry point for tree roots due to cracks or pipe damage.
Tree root intrusion is highly destructive because roots actually grow against the flow of water.
Signs of root intrusion include gurgling drains, sewage backups, and slow drainage.
Removing roots and repairing damaged pipes requires professional equipment like hydro-jetting, root saws, and drain cameras. For long-term drain health, use cold water on pipes damaged by tree roots, which need to be repaired or replaced completely.
Simply cutting visible roots or using diy drain chemical treatments will not permanently resolve drain clogs, as roots will continue growing inside the damaged pipe.
The drain specialists at Cambridge Park Plumbing have the advanced tools and expertise to inspect your drains and permanently eliminate root intrusions. We can hydro-jet roots from pipes, seal cracks and joints, or perform full pipe replacements where damage is too severe.
Contact us immediately for how unblock roots that may be obstructing your drains to restore free flow.
Foreign Objects
Kids may accidentally send toys, small rocks or sticks down the toilet that get lodged in pipes.
These foreign items become blocked on joints or arches in pipes—often leaving homeowners very happy when promptly removed, reinstating the unobstructed wastewater flow. Over time, debris accumulates around the obstruction, eventually totally sealing off the pipe. Hair, grease and other substances stick to the object, progressively forming a tighter mass.
Even small items can cause big problems this way.
Be vigilant about keeping foreign objects out of sinks and toilets. Only flush toilet paper, regardless of whether products are labelled as flushable.
Take care not to wash hair ties, jewellery or coins down bathroom sinks that could cause clogs.
If you suspect a foreign object inserted into your Cambridge Park drains is causing an obstruction, call a plumber promptly. We can locate the blockage source with drain cameras and use specialised augers or hydrojetting to dislodge troublesome debris. Swift service helps prevent pipe damage or backups.
Pipe Damage
Older metal, clay, and concrete pipes are prone to cracking. Sections may burst or become a collapsed pipe, causing major blockages.
Cracks, holes, misaligned joints, and corrosion in pipes allow sediment, roots, and debris to infiltrate drainage lines. Various factors such as ground shifts, tree roots, soil erosion and excessive water pressure damage ageing pipes. Our specialists have high-tech drain cameras to inspect pipes and advanced techniques like pipe relining to restore damaged drains.
DIY Methods to Clear Blockages
For minor drain blockage, there are several effective DIY solutions you can try before calling a professional:
- Boiling water - Pour a full kettle of boiling water down the blocked drain. The heat can help dissolve grease and break up debris.
- Baking soda and vinegar - Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1 cup vinegar and pour down drain. Cover opening and let fizzing action work for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with hot water.
- Plunger - Place a sink plunger tightly over the drain opening and plunge up and down rapidly to dislodge clog.
- Drain snake - Insert a manual crank auger down the drain and twist to hook and pull up debris.
Use gentle methods over a chemical drain cleaner, as the latter can damage pipes. Should DIY attempts falter, contact your plumber, a professional ready to flush hot water down and inspect and clear the blockage with specialised tools.
\ - Boiling water - Pour a full kettle of boiling water down the blocked drain.
\ - Baking soda and vinegar - Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1 cup vinegar and pour down drain.
\ - Plunger - Place a sink plunger tightly over the drain opening and plunge up and down rapidly to dislodge clog.
\ - Drain snake - Insert a manual crank auger down the drain and twist to hook and pull up debris.
\
Boiling Water
Pouring a full kettle of boiling water down your blocked drain is one of the easiest DIY methods to try first when dealing with a minor clog. The heat from the boiling water can help liquefy and dissolve accumulations of fat, oil and grease that may be obstructing your drain.
It can also break up food particles or debris that are stuck and is safe for most hot water systems.
To use this method, simply boil a full kettle of water and carefully pour it slowly down the blocked drain.
Try to clear blockage by pouring as close to the obstruction as possible. The pouring action along with the heat will help dislodge the clog. You may need to repeat a few times for stubborn obstructions. Allow the drain time to cool before using again.
Using boiling water to unblock pipes is safe for most types apart from PVC, which might warp; however, your water heater requires cooler methods to avoid damage. It’s most effective for sink drain clogs caused by grease buildup. However, if this DIY method does not successfully clear your blockage, call Cambridge Park Plumbing for professional drain cleaning services.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Mixing baking soda and vinegar is a popular home remedy for unblocking minor sink or tub drain clogs. The chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) produces foaming and fizzing. This action can break down obstructions swiftly to break up and dissolve soap scum, hair, and other debris plugging your drain.
To use this method:
- Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into your blocked drain and allow it to settle into the clog.
- Follow with 1 cup of household vinegar and cover the drain tightly.
- Let the mixture fizz and work for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse with very hot water to help flush away any loosened gunk.
Avoid using this method with completely blocked drains, as the pressure buildup can damage plastic pipes. Baking soda and vinegar work best for minor sink clogs, not main plumbing lines. If unsuccessful, call a professional plumber.
Plungers
A plunger can be an effective tool for clearing minor blockages in bathroom or kitchen sinks. A plunger can be an effective tool for clearing minor blockages in bathroom or kitchen sinks. Fill the sink with a few inches of water and position the plunger directly on top, covering the drain completely.
Repeated plunging helps generate pressure to push through the obstruction. Apply rapid, thrusting force straight down to loosen the clog and dislodge debris.
For the best results, use a bell-shaped sink plunger which can easily form an airtight seal on a flat drain opening, rather than a flat-bottomed toilet plunger. You may need to hold the plunger in place for 30 seconds at a time while plunging to allow pressure to build up.
Choose a plunger size that can cover the entire drain.
Avoid using harsh chemicals, instead use drain plungers, as the former can splash and cause injury. If plunging does not resolve the clog, call in a professional plumber to snake the drain or use high-pressure hydro jetting if necessary.
A plunger c force straight down to loosen the clog and dislodge debris.
You may need to hold the plunger in place for 30 seconds at a time while plunging tgers or plumber’s snakes, can be an effective DIY method for clearing obstuctions close to the drain opening. A drain snake is a long, flexible steel cable wound ace is felt from the clog, continue turning the handle to work through it. Do not force the snake past hard obstructions.
When the snake enters the clog, twist it to hook onto debris. Slowly extract the snake - pulling out any loosened material.Repeat the proc Take care not to scratch or gouge plastic pipes. Only use a drain snake designed for household drains, not commercial-grade snakes which can damage pipes. If DIY snaking does not clear the clog, contact a professional plumber to properly diagnose and resolve the issue.
Professional Drain Cleaning Services
Regular maintenance and professional drain cleaning services are the best way to keep your Cambridge Park drains free flowing and prevent hazardous backups. Our licenced plumbers at Cambridge Park Plumbing have the latest equipment and expertise to quickly and effectively unblock your drains.
For stubborn clogs, a blocked drain can sometimes necessitate the use of augers or root saws. The team did a great job with thorough care in cleaning your pipes meticulously without causing damage.
drain cleaning, we also offer full-service drain repair and replacement if your pipes are damaged or degraded. Our trenchless pipe relining can rehabilitate pipes within the sewer system without the need for excavation. For your plumbing needs, trust our decades of experience for all your drainage situations, from simple sinks to main sewer lines.
Don’t wait until you have standing water or sewage backups. Schedule regular maintenance from Cambridge Park Plumbing to keep drainsoptimized and prevent hazardous clogs. Contact us online or call 1300 349 338 to request an inspection or urgent drain cleaning services.
Hydrojetting
It involves using specialised equipment to blast high pressure water through pipes to scour and dislodge obstructions.
Hydrojetting can generate up to 5,000 PSI pressure, allowing it to cut through years of accumulated grease, soap residue, tree roots and other debris that often cause recurring clogs in a blocked sewer drain.
Hydrojetting provides a thorough clean of entire pipe systems, surpassing what traditional drain snakes can achieve.
It is a fast process that can restore full drainage in under an hour.
Cambridge Park Plumbing uses state-of-the-art hydrojetters customised for residential settings. Our hydrojetting service in Sydney, combined with expert plumbing gas techniques, is highly effective at eliminating recurrent clogs and keeping drains clear long-term without pipe damage. Contact our professionals to schedule hydrojetting if you have a stubborn blocked drain that basic methods cannot resolve.
Drain Cameras
Drain cameras, also known as CCTV drain inspections, are an impor the interior drain system.
Using drain camera technology allows plumbers to thoroughly inspect pipes and pinpoint where an obstruction is occurring. The camera can be navigated through bends and junctions in order to visuallyine the best solution for restoring proper drainage, whether it’s hydrojetting, drain augering, or pipe repairs. In case of severe blockages, a drain camera inspection by our expert plumbers can accurately determine the issue, enabling us to implement the best solution to get your water flowing freely again and avoid future problems.