Blocked drains are something we get called out to at least weekly here at Plumbing & Gas On Demand. We service a large area including Kilcoy, Woodford, Somerset & Moreton Bay, so the number of blocked drains are endless.
We know all too well the damage that blocked pipes can cause… from the toilet overflowing and causing water damage to your flooring, to slow draining kitchen sinks that take 5 minutes to empty. Blockages and overflowing pipes can not only be frustrating, but the repair costs can add up quickly.
There are a variety of things that can cause pipe blockages, and these possibilities only increase when there are little hands around. Toys, socks, underwear, food, screwdrivers, tennis balls… the list is endless of things we have found in blocked pipes.
Although the list is endless, the two most common things that we see to answer the question ‘What really is blocking your pipes?’
- Tree roots
- ‘Flushable’ wet wipes
CCTV drain camera inspection in Woodford
Blocked drain in Kilcoy
1 | Tree Roots
Tree roots will forever keep us in a job, and I don’t think any plumber will disagree with this. As a homeowner there are some things you can do, but also unfortunately sometimes nature is in control.
Knowing the plants within your property and not having large root system trees/plants near your house is a great step in avoiding this problem, however that’s not always within your control. Especially out in the Kilcoy, Woodford & Wamuran areas, there are very large trees with large root systems, that ultimately end up in your underground plumbing system at some point.
The best thing you can do as a homeowner is to get on top of blocked drains quickly to reduce the damage.
Root systems typically start as smaller blockages (slow draining sink) and as time progresses this blockage advances (non-draining sink). By treating these issues early, it often reduces the amount of pipe that needs to be dug up and less disturbance to your property. And if you get to that blocked toilet before it overflows, then your flooring is safe!
Not only can tree roots cause blockages, but they can also cause leaks. The root system at some point has to enter the pipe and a crack is formed. Although this isn’t your typical shooting fire hydrant, over time this leak can cause a few problems. Slow leaks can cause damp areas within your soil and if this is near the foundations of your home it can lead to structural defects.
Things that may indicate a blocked drain are;
- Slow draining plumbing fixtures
- Overflowing plumbing fixtures
- Gurgling noises from plumbing fixtures
- Strong odour coming from your pipes
- Raised water level in your toilet
Blocked drain caused by tree roots in Kilcoy
2 | Flushable Wipes
Something that you as the homeowner can control more than tree roots, is the flushing of ‘flushable’ wet wipes.
These are never easy to clear out and take a significant amount of time to ‘clear’, which ultimately leads to expensive repair bills. They may flush down your toilet, however when they ultimately end up in your septic system like most people have in the Kilcoy/Woodford/Somerset regions, they bind together causing a blockage at your septic tank inlet/outlet.
Although these wipes do eventually dissolve, it is the excessive time they take to breakdown that leads to the accumulation and blockages. This goes even above us, with groups such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Consumer group Choice going to court over alleged false & misleading claims on the packaging.
These blockages do not only cause issues with your household’s sewer pipes and septic systems, but further on down the line at treatment plants aswell. Urban utilities have released that they clear around 3,500 blocked sewer pipes yearly with an estimated cost of around $1 million. Of these 3,500 blocked sewer pipes, wet wipes are reported to have played a role in a large percentage.
We believe education on this issue is the first step in stopping the issue. We often hear from our customers that they didn’t know they weren’t able to flush these wipes, after all the packet does say ‘flushable’. Queensland Unity Water have a great campaign called ‘love your loo’ which makes it easy to know what is and isn’t safe to flush.
And this a great reminder that as plumbers we say the only things that should be flushed are the 3 P’s… poo, pee and toilet paper.
Wet wipes removed from a sewer system
CCTV inspection of blocked drain
You’ve got a blocked drain… What is next?
The one and only step for you in unblocking a drain is …calling Plumbing & Gas On Demand.
Using specialised equipment such as high pressure water jets (the ‘Jetter’), CCTV inspection equipment and locating equipment, we are able to tackle almost any blockage and there isn’t much we can’t handle.
Step 1: Clearing the blockage using the ‘Jetter’
Using a high pressure water jet, the jetting head will cut through and break down almost any blockage. Turning tree roots and blockages into tiny pieces that are able to flow through your pipework easily, effectively clearing the blockage. Head on over to our Facebook page to see the ‘Jetter’ in action, and just how powerful it is.
Step 2: CCTV drain inspection camera
This camera then goes down the drain providing a clear image of the pipe and what was blocking the pipe to begin with, as well as ensuring the pipe is now completely clear. This can also give us further information about the condition of your pipes such as breaks from tree roots or sections of pipework holding water due to ground movement.
Step 3: Locating and repairing broken pipework (if needed)
Not all blocked drains require repair to the pipework, however when they do pinpoint the exact location of the break, it is critical in reducing disturbance to surrounding property. The locator is able to give us an exact location and depth of the break which allows us to find the broken pipework quickly with minimal ground disturbance.
As you can see, fixing a blocked drain is best left to the professionals with all the necessary equipment. With over 12 years’ experience here at Plumbing & Gas On Demand we know exactly how to unblock your blocked drain effectively and safely.
Click Here to get in contact with us, and don’t forget we also offer a 24/7 Emergency service because blocked drains rarely happen during business hours.
