A blocked drain is one of the more annoying issues when it comes to the maintenance of your home or business. It’s something everyone in Brisbane will experience from time to time. It’s frustrating because it can be challenging to find the source of the problem.
That is, it is frustrating if you don’t have the right tools. The plumbing system in a house is extensive, and your good old drain cleaner is not always going to be up to the task. There is more than one technique available to unblock your drains. Let’s see what they are.
How To Unblock A Drain
Everyone from North Brisbane to South Brisbane should understand the basics of how to unblock a drain. It’s not easy to DIY. But if it’s a minor blockage, it’s worth giving it a try.
Naturally, you should try the usual tricks to clear blockages first. These are:
- Get out the trusty plunger. This will dislodge minor blocks and also give your arms a workout. It has a limited range but is worth a try.
- Pour hot water down the drain. This is a stopgap measure but useful in dissolving some of the greases that could cause issues.
- Pour bicarb and vinegar down the drain. This is a natural solution that works reasonably well. Put the bicarb in the pipe and follow up with vinegar. The mixture will fizz in the drain and hopefully clear out blocks.
- Use a drain cleaner. If this doesn’t work, it’s time to admit defeat and call us in.
Use A Drain Snake / Plumber’s Electric Eel
Have you ever wondered how to unclog a drain with a plumbing snake or electric eel? Well, Brisbane Southside, you’re about to learn.
There are two basic kinds of drain snakes. The more basic type is essentially a long coiled pipe that you feed into the blocked drain. These are commonly available at a hardware store and are an excellent thing to keep in the garage for emergencies. Alternatively, you can hire a plumbers electric eel from any good hire shop in Brisbane.
A wire is attached to a crank. And when you turn the crank, it forces the wire forward. The principle is simple. The end of the wire should penetrate the debris. When it’s pulled back in, it should break the clump of debris up, allowing it to move along the pipe.
The coiled wire that runs along the outside the main shaft will knock against the side of the pipe. It will dislodge debris that’s built up there.
An electric eel operates on the same principle, except that it is powered by electricity. We generally recommend that DIYers stick to the manual version. The electronic version is powerful and becomes challenging to control the further down the pipe it moves.
There is the risk that, if not used correctly. It could cause further damage to your plumbing. Overall, though, both are tried and tested methods that plumbers in East Brisbane and West Brisbane often make use of.
It’s also worth noting that an electric eel must be operated by a licensed professionals when it comes to the sewerage system.
High-Pressure Water Jets
A drain snake is reasonably good at removing blockages caused by debris, but there’s a limit to what it can do. A high-pressure water jet is a more modern way of dealing with blocks in the Moreton Bay Area.
As the name suggests, water is pumped through the device at high pressure. This blasts away debris and also gets rid of grunge and grease that builds up on the side of the pipes. The machine comes with different nozzles and hose lengths.
This process is a highly effective way for plumbers in Redcliffe to clear out blocked drains. It tends to be faster than using a drain snake and is less likely to damage the piping. Once again, this solution is best left to professionals. Our plumbers are in full compliance with all local plumbing laws.
While this method is less likely to cause damage, there is still a chance of slipping up if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you’re in the Ipswich, Logan, or Redlands area, give us a call instead, and we’ll sort it out.
CCTV Drain Camera Inspection
The most modern solution is to use a CCTV drain camera to inspect your drain. These have been a game-changer in the industry. Before they came along, finding a block was something of a matter of trial and error.
But they’re more useful than just finding a blockage. The cameras allow us to get a full visual of the inside of your plumbing. We get to see if there’s damage that could be problematic later. With the camera, we can pinpoint the exact location quickly and easily.
We use this tech to reduce the amount of time it takes us to deal with a plumbing emergency. Because it’s so easy to locate the damaged areas, we can spend our time more effectively. We also know precisely where to dig.
Once the problem has been sorted out, we can use the camera to check that everything is clean and clear.
Regular Maintenance Is A Great Proactive Measure
Keeping pipes clear of debris is a no brainer. That’s why you scramble up a ladder to clean out the gutters from time to time. With plumbing that’s out in the open, like a downpipe, this is a relatively simple matter.
You’ll pick up damage pretty quickly and can easily figure out where a block is. With the central plumbing system being underground, it becomes a lot more complicated.
That’s why Drain Cleaning Brisbane offers a full inspection service. We recommend getting the water and sewerage systems checked out at least once a year. There’s a small fee to get the inspection done, but it’s well worth it to prevent emergencies down the line.
It’s a lot easier to keep the drains clear than to have to clear a blockage. With this tech, it’s easy to find weak spots in the system and perform proactive maintenance. If we find that there’s a build-up of debris or damage, we’ll discuss your options with you.
Overall, clogged drains can be a real pain. With the right tools and some preventative maintenance, though, there’s no reason that they have to be. Call us in as soon as you notice there’s an issue, and we’ll get it sorted fast.