Blocked Drain Experts in Sydney - Fast and Reliable
Our Expertise
We offer a comprehensive range of blocked drain services, including clearing blocked drains, drain inspections, drain repairs, drain relining, and more. No matter the severity of the blockage or the complexity of the issue, we have the tools and techniques to get your drains flowing smoothly again.
At Sydney Emergency Plumbing, we stay ahead of the curve by investing in the latest plumbing technologies and equipment.
From high-pressure water jetting to advanced drain cameras, we use cutting-edge tools to accurately diagnose and efficiently resolve your blocked drain problems.
Our advanced equipment allows us to employ non-invasive techniques, minimising damage to your property while effectively clearing the blockage. We prioritise your convenience and satisfaction in every aspect of our service.
Our Blocked Drain Process
Our experts begin by conducting a detailed inspection of your blocked drains to identify the root cause and assess the severity of the problem.
Based on our assessment, we develop a customised plan to address the specific needs of your blocked drains. We will explain the options available to you and provide transparent, upfront pricing before proceeding with any work.
Our team employs the most suitable techniques and equipment to clear the blockage quickly and effectively. We work diligently to minimise disruption to your daily routine and restore your drains to optimal functionality.
How We Clear Blocked Drains
This highly effective method involves using a specialised nozzle and high-pressure water to dislodge and remove blockages, leaving your drains clean and free-flowing.
Also known as a ‘tree root inhibitor’, RootX is a sodium foaming root control which is an effective and safe way to kill off the roots which are blocking your drains. It foams on contact with water to kill roots, prevent regrowth, and restore pipe flow.
We utilise drain snakes or augers to break up and remove blockages, whether they are caused by debris, grease, or other obstructions.
We feed a metal cable into the stormwater line/sewer. The cable is rotated until it cuts the root growth and releases the debris that was blocking the line.
To accurately diagnose the cause of the blockage, we employ drain cameras to inspect the interior of your pipes. This enables us to identify any underlying issues, such as tree root intrusion or pipe damage, which can then be addressed accordingly.
In cases where pipes are damaged or corroded, our team can carry out necessary repairs or recommend drain relining, a non-invasive technique that reinforces the existing pipe with a durable lining, eliminating the need for costly excavation.
Cost Considerations in Fixing Blocked Drains
Common Blocked Drain Causes
Roots of trees and plants can disrupt your central sewage system. This is because the roots keep growing until they breach the pipe and cause a blockage.
Toiletries can also cause drain blockages. For example, you should not flush nappies, baby wipes and sanitary products down the toilet.
Cooking oil is too dense to flow freely and sticks to food scraps causing a blockage in drains.
While most small scraps of food pass through drains, larger remnants can get stuck and cause a drain blockage.
When minerals such as calcium build-up for a long time in your pipes, this causes constriction. Although this may not directly cause a blocked drain, it makes it easier for other types of jams to form.
When you shower or wash your hair, you’ll find that some of it drops out, mixes in with other substances, and becomes a significant cause of a blocked drain.
This includes leaves and twigs, including dirt and grit which can fall into your outdoor drains, especially when there are no gutter guards.
Blocked Drains Expert in Sydney
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There are certain signs that will surely tell you that you have a blocked drain. These signs are:
- Water draining slowly
- Bad odour
- Gurgling sounds coming from the pipes
- Overflowing toilets
If your toilet drains are blocked, this is usually a sign of the blockage being located there. This is the same for your kitchen. However, if all your drains are clogged, an emergency plumber should be immediately called as the blockage may occur within your sewer line.
A drain will often become blocked due to obstruction by foreign objects, such as food scraps, jewellery, soap, leaves, plants, tree roots, hair, grease or fat and toiletries. Any of these, and many more items, can easily create a block inside your drain. Also, the age and condition of the pipes can be a significant contributor to causing a blockage. The most common items causing blocked toilets across Sydney, according to a survey in 2021, are:
- Baby wipes
- Cotton pads
- Sanitary products
- Baby wipes
- Toys
If you observe the water in your bathroom or kitchen draining very slowly, it indicates a blockage in your drain. Slow shower or bathroom drains are often caused by a slimy build-up of everything that runs down the shower drain:
- Soap & Shampoo
- Dirt & Debris
- Dead Skin Cells
- Hair
Usually, homeowners do not have the knowledge or equipment to solve these plumbing problems. Therefore, it is better to call your plumber to handle your slow-draining shower.
Gurgling sound is caused when something is preventing water or air from flowing through your drains. As the water slowly travels through your drains, air bubbles begin to form and create a gurgling sound. Whether it’s your sink, toilet or shower, even floor drains all can make that gurgling sound. The possible causes are:
- Blocked Drain Line
- Partially Blocked Drain
- Completely Blocked Drain
- Clogged Vent System
- Damaged P-Trap
- Issue In The Main Sewer Line
If a foul odour emanates from one of your sink or shower drains, something is likely wrong, and in many cases, it indicates a problem with drainage. They are often the result of one of the following:
- A sewer gas trap problem: A sewer gas trap or P-Trap is a part of the drain where the water is stored. Its purpose is to block gases from entering the pipe and into your home. If water is not moving correctly in the P-trap, usually due to leakage, the gases can enter through the pipe and into your home.
- An organic build-up: These organic residues accumulate over time in the P-trap or the pipes. The most common elements that result in partial pipe blockages causing smelly drains are:
- Hair
- Toothpaste
- Soap
- Grease
- Food waste
- Sewer line problems: If you’ve noticed a foul odour from multiple sinks, this may indicate a broken or blocked sewer line.
Prevention is always better than trying to find a solution. Doing some simple maintenance can prevent smelly drains from becoming a problem. Here are some easy ways to keep your drains smelling fresh and clean:
- Boiling water: Tip boiling water down the drains in your house about once a week.
- Baking soda, vinegar & boiling water mixture: Once a month, do the baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water method.
- Clean your garbage disposal: If you have a garbage disposal, regularly put ice cubes into it which will get rid of any excess grease and will give the blades a good scrub. Also cut up a lemon or orange into small wedges and put it into the garbage disposal – this leaves it smelling fresh.
- No fats & oils: Avoid putting oils and fats down your sink.
- No food scraps: If you don’t have a garbage disposal, make sure all food scraps go into the bin or get fed to pets instead of going down the drain.
- Strong drain cleaners: Use strong, commercial drain cleaners if nothing else works.
- Maintain regular tap use: Make sure you regularly turn on the taps in your rarely used bathrooms. This ensures that there’s no build-up of grime and prevents your P-trap from becoming empty and releasing sewer gases into the house.
Cleaning your drains regularly can be your best bet to preventing any blockages and clogs. A significant blockage always starts off relatively small. Many individuals do not think about their drains until they have a problem. They usually put drain maintenance on the back burner. But, the best way to avoid drain clogs is to have your drains cleaned regularly.
Trees should be planted at least 3 metres away from the sewer pipes to avoid root intrusion. If this is not possible and you still want to plant trees on the property, it is best to choose slower-growing trees with non-aggressive root systems. However, if trees are already a part of the property, they will most likely cause issues to the pipes. Again, regular cleaning is the best solution to ensure your pipes are always clear. If roots have penetrated your drain, you will need to hire a professional plumber with experience in root cutting technologies. Unfortunately, tree roots are invisible enemies to your plumbing health. While DIY remedies like applying rock salt and copper sulphate are great temporary solutions, sometimes expert professional root removal and pipe replacement are only the best course of action.
However, the essential thing is to remember that every time you use your sinks, ensure you do not leave food scraps or other residues as they will block your drains. To avoid drain blockage regularly, it is vital to ensure that any inherent issues with the plumbing network are repaired. Engage a plumber regularly to inspect that all drains are performing correctly. They always have the right tools and know-how to isolate the issue and apply the proper techniques to keep drains clear from foreign deposits. Staying informed and prepared can help you avoid all the unpleasant experiences that arise from blocked drains.
How to identify if my drains are blocked?
There are certain signs that will surely tell you that you have a blocked drain. These signs are:
- Water draining slowly
- Bad odour
- Gurgling sounds coming from the pipes
- Overflowing toilets
If your toilet drains are blocked, this is usually a sign of the blockage being located there. This is the same for your kitchen. However, if all your drains are clogged, an emergency plumber should be immediately called as the blockage may occur within your sewer line.
What causes a blocked toilet?
A drain will often become blocked due to obstruction by foreign objects, such as food scraps, jewellery, soap, leaves, plants, tree roots, hair, grease or fat and toiletries. Any of these, and many more items, can easily create a block inside your drain. Also, the age and condition of the pipes can be a significant contributor to causing a blockage. The most common items causing blocked toilets across Sydney, according to a survey in 2021, are:
- Baby wipes
- Cotton pads
- Sanitary products
- Baby wipes
- Toys
Why is my bath or shower draining so slowly?
If you observe the water in your bathroom or kitchen draining very slowly, it indicates a blockage in your drain. Slow shower or bathroom drains are often caused by a slimy build-up of everything that runs down the shower drain:
- Soap & Shampoo
- Dirt & Debris
- Dead Skin Cells
- Hair
Usually, homeowners do not have the knowledge or equipment to solve these plumbing problems. Therefore, it is better to call your plumber to handle your slow-draining shower.
Why are my drains making a gurgling sound?
Gurgling sound is caused when something is preventing water or air from flowing through your drains. As the water slowly travels through your drains, air bubbles begin to form and create a gurgling sound. Whether it’s your sink, toilet or shower, even floor drains all can make that gurgling sound. The possible causes are:
- Blocked Drain Line
- Partially Blocked Drain
- Completely Blocked Drain
- Clogged Vent System
- Damaged P-Trap
- Issue In The Main Sewer Line
Why do my drains smell so bad?
If a foul odour emanates from one of your sink or shower drains, something is likely wrong, and in many cases, it indicates a problem with drainage. They are often the result of one of the following:
- A sewer gas trap problem: A sewer gas trap or P-Trap is a part of the drain where the water is stored. Its purpose is to block gases from entering the pipe and into your home. If water is not moving correctly in the P-trap, usually due to leakage, the gases can enter through the pipe and into your home.
- An organic build-up: These organic residues accumulate over time in the P-trap or the pipes. The most common elements that result in partial pipe blockages causing smelly drains are:
- Hair
- Toothpaste
- Soap
- Grease
- Food waste
- Sewer line problems: If you’ve noticed a foul odour from multiple sinks, this may indicate a broken or blocked sewer line.
How do you prevent smelly drains?
Prevention is always better than trying to find a solution. Doing some simple maintenance can prevent smelly drains from becoming a problem. Here are some easy ways to keep your drains smelling fresh and clean:
- Boiling water: Tip boiling water down the drains in your house about once a week.
- Baking soda, vinegar & boiling water mixture: Once a month, do the baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water method.
- Clean your garbage disposal: If you have a garbage disposal, regularly put ice cubes into it which will get rid of any excess grease and will give the blades a good scrub. Also cut up a lemon or orange into small wedges and put it into the garbage disposal – this leaves it smelling fresh.
- No fats & oils: Avoid putting oils and fats down your sink.
- No food scraps: If you don’t have a garbage disposal, make sure all food scraps go into the bin or get fed to pets instead of going down the drain.
- Strong drain cleaners: Use strong, commercial drain cleaners if nothing else works.
- Maintain regular tap use: Make sure you regularly turn on the taps in your rarely used bathrooms. This ensures that there’s no build-up of grime and prevents your P-trap from becoming empty and releasing sewer gases into the house.
Should I be cleaning my drains regularly to prevent blockages?
Cleaning your drains regularly can be your best bet to preventing any blockages and clogs. A significant blockage always starts off relatively small. Many individuals do not think about their drains until they have a problem. They usually put drain maintenance on the back burner. But, the best way to avoid drain clogs is to have your drains cleaned regularly.
Can tree roots block my pipes, and how can I stop them?
Trees should be planted at least 3 metres away from the sewer pipes to avoid root intrusion. If this is not possible and you still want to plant trees on the property, it is best to choose slower-growing trees with non-aggressive root systems. However, if trees are already a part of the property, they will most likely cause issues to the pipes. Again, regular cleaning is the best solution to ensure your pipes are always clear. If roots have penetrated your drain, you will need to hire a professional plumber with experience in root cutting technologies. Unfortunately, tree roots are invisible enemies to your plumbing health. While DIY remedies like applying rock salt and copper sulphate are great temporary solutions, sometimes expert professional root removal and pipe replacement are only the best course of action.
How can I lower the chances of a blocked drain?
However, the essential thing is to remember that every time you use your sinks, ensure you do not leave food scraps or other residues as they will block your drains. To avoid drain blockage regularly, it is vital to ensure that any inherent issues with the plumbing network are repaired. Engage a plumber regularly to inspect that all drains are performing correctly. They always have the right tools and know-how to isolate the issue and apply the proper techniques to keep drains clear from foreign deposits. Staying informed and prepared can help you avoid all the unpleasant experiences that arise from blocked drains.
Some Happy Customer
