Introduction to Blocked Drains
Blocked drains, often resulting from plumbing issues like tree root intrusions, disrupt households and businesses. They occur when clogs drain pipes, caused by an accumulation of materials like food remnants, hair strands, and grease. If left unattended, a blocked drain can lead to odours, water damage, and serious structural issues.
At North Ryde Plumbing, we expertly resolve the main causes of blocked drains. With a decade of experience in the North Ryde area, our prompt diagnostics and effective solutions include high-pressure jetting, drain snaking, pipe relining, and drain inspections using cameras. Our experts are on call 7 days a week to manage blocked drains and other urgent plumbing issues.
This article discusses the causes and signs of blocked drains, offers prevention tips, and details how to fix simple clogs and when to call a professional.
Common Foreign Objects that Cause Blockages
Numerous household items commonly cause clogged pipes and blockages.
- Toys - Toys made of plastic or rubber can easily slip into drain openings found in the kitchen bathroom and other areas. Over time they accumulate in pipes along with other debris.
- Baby wipes - Despite labels suggesting otherwise, wet wipes should not be sent down toilet channels as they don’t disintegrate like toilet paper. They can catch on protrusions into pipe channels and amalgamate with fats to form giant clogs once flushed down.
- Grease and fat - Cooking oil and grease fat, along with food scraps, often cause blockages when washed down kitchen sinks. As they cool, greases congeal and can build up, starting to coat the inner lining of a kitchen sink’s pipes, which could cause clogged conditions.
The effects blocked by these ordinary items inside pipes can rapidly escalate into problematic scenarios.
Minor lapses allowing objects to enter your drainage system can lead to blockages, necessitating a professional’s intervention.
Toys
Plastic and rubber toys, as well as items like long hair, can wash into sinks, showers, and kitchen drains. As they travel through pipelines, playthings often join forces with hair soap residue, turning shower drains into clog hotspots. Over time, a considerable buildup can amalgamate, leading to significant obstructions.
The best means of preventing toy-related clogs is to set clear guidelines for kids on where play items should and should not be disposed of.
Use designated bins for toys and remind that excessive waste in sinks and toilets can lead to malfunctions. Drain covers can also catch toys before they disappear down pipes. Regularly check and clean covers to prevent blockages from accumulating debris.
For parents of young children, vigilance is key. A swift auger drain intervention or use plunger action might retract the mishaps if addressed promptly.
But even with attentive supervision, you may occasionally find stray bathtub toys or small pieces infiltration your drains. Otherwise, call us for aid in safely removing toys or other blockages; even hair can get entrenched and fix your obstructed pipes before significant damage occurs.
Baby Wipes
Baby wipes, which can often cause blockages, are a commonplace bathroom staple for families with infants and toddlers. Although baby wipe packaging often claims the wipes are flushable, they are infamous for being items that can cause blocked pipes. When flushed, baby wipes can catch on your toilet pipes and accumulate with other debris, which can cause blocked drains.
Some baby wipe materials, stronger than toilet paper, do not disintegrate, causing clogs in main sewer lines. Even baby wipe products labelled as 'flushable’ may take longer to deteriorate than acceptable for drainage systems.
To avoid blocked drains, Baby wipes and sanitary products should be disposed of in the garbage rather than washed down the toilet. Guardians ought to supervise bathroom activities, ensuring children know what only moderate amounts of toilet paper but also not paper towels are suitable for flushing. Installing drain screens can provide an additional safeguard to catch baby wipes or toys before they get washed into pipes.
Grease and Fat
Grease and oils from cooking often flow down sink pathways, solidifying as they cool and sticking to the insides of pipes. Over time, thick layers of congealed fat adhere to pipe walls, trapping food particles and soap scum. This is how you can clear your blocked conditions in your drain, with materials accumulating over time.
To protect pipes and prevent clogged drains, do not pour grease, fat trimmings, or oil from food like meat or dairy down the sink.
Even small amounts of grease in drains can eventually lead to significant blockages. If your pipes exhibit gurgling, bad smells or water drainage issues, the problem may lie in hidden grease-related blockages. Book an inspection for diagnosis and prompt resolution of blockages.
Signs of a Drain Blocked by Foreign Objects
Several signs can suggest foreign objects like toys, wipes, or grease are blocking your drains:
- Slow draining - Water draining slower than usual, pooling in sinks or tubs, indicates a possible blockage.
- Gurgling noises - Loud pipe gurgling can signal partial or complete blockages, where air and water struggle to pass.
- Bad odours - When debris builds up, it can create a foul sewer gas smell emitting from where water drains.
Pouring boiling water down drains may help clear minor clogs, but avoid adding more grease or wipes.
Slow Draining
Slow draining fixtures indicate potential damage from blocked pipes. When objects like toys or grease buildup impede the natural flow, it’s time for your blocked drain to get some attention.
With debris accumulation behind the blockage, water drains more slowly until it becomes a standstill, heralding severe blockages and water pooling.
It is important to address slow drainage right away before complete obstructions happen. Start by pouring boiling water and drain cleaner to loosen blockages, or use a plunger.
If slow drainage continues, contact us for professional intervention using high-powered jetting and drain snakes.
Gurgling Noises
Loud gurgling from your sink, shower, or toilet suggests a blockage. These noises arise when air and water struggle to squeeze through a narrow opening congested by accumulated debris, grease or foreign objects.
Gurgling occurs as water struggles to pass through narrowed drains, creating turbulence and air pockets. The sound echoes within the pipes, similar to a grumble, and signals a potential blockage. As debris accumulates, the gurgling grows louder and more frequent.
Persistent gurgling sounds point to developing blockages needing immediate attention. If left unaddressed, obstructions can become compacted so tightly that they can result in a situation where high-powered jet flushing cannot dislodge them. Water backflows might start to infiltrate pipes on your property, leading to leaks, corrosion, and structural weaknesses.
If gurgling sounds continue after attempting to clear with a mix of boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar, it’s time to call a plumber. If noises persist beyond isolated incidents, contact our North Ryde drain specialists promptly to inspect pipes and strategically retrieve lodged items before catastrophic flooding and pipe system damage occurs internally.
Bad Odors
Foul odours can indicate blockages from foreign matter like grease and wipes. These stenches stem from decaying organic matter in congested pipes within your sewer system.
As debris obstructs water flow, air pockets form within pipes allowing sewer gases to leak back up drain lines. This mixture fosters harmful bacteria. Bacterial activity releases hydrogen sulphide gas, which can seep into your home from the main sewer line.
If your drains emit sulphurous odours, seek professional help for possible hidden blockages. Unresolved drain blockages can worsen odours with thickening residue layers, risking pipe corrosion and structural weaknesses over time.
To address foul smells, first attempt to clear blockages with boiling water, a baking soda and vinegar mixture, or a plunger. If foul odours persist despite efforts, promptly phone North Ryde’s blocked drain specialists to investigate and clear embedded clogs before conditions deteriorate further.
Removing Foreign Object Drain Blockages
There are a few methods we can use to remove blockages caused by foreign objects, depending on the location and severity of the clog:
- Plunger - A sink or toilet plunger can generate enough suction to dislodge objects lodged near drain openings. Cover drain one overflow holes first.
- Drain snake - Also known as a drain auger, this bendable rod threads down pipes to snag items. It works best for sinks and tubs.
- Hydro jetting - We use a water jetter with high-powered jets of up to 5000 PSI to scour full pipe lengths. This dislodges stubborn blockages.
Exercise caution when clearing drains, recognising safe practices. Refrain from placing hands inside pipes.
Wear protective eyewear as objects or water may eject forcibly from openings. If uncertain how to proceed or problems persist, reach out to your local North Ryde team for a helping hand. We have the tools and expertise to inspect the full extent of blockages and restore proper water flow.
Preventing Foreign Object Blockages
There are several effective ways to help prevent blockages caused by foreign objects:
- Install drain covers - Covering all sink and tub drains with screens can catch stray items before they make their way into drains. Check regularly and remove debris to prevent blocked pipes.
- Regular maintenance - Have North Ryde Plumbing conduct annual drain inspections. We can assess issues and hydro jet pipes to clear minor buildup before major blockages form.
- Proper waste disposal - Ensure that cooking oils and grease go into the trash, not down the sink. Instruct children that only human waste and a reasonable amount of toilet paper should flush down toilets.
Remaining vigilant about what goes into drains is crucial for preventing obstructions.
Conclusion
Foreign objects such as toys, wipes, and cooking grease often trigger blockages by accumulating in pipes. Left unchecked, these clogs risk sewer gases entering homes, water damage from leaks or backflows, and even structural issues if severe corrosion occurs internally.
The key to preventing blockages is vigilance regarding what is disposed of down drains. The signs of a blocked drain manifest, such as slow drainage, boisterous gurgling or rank odours, indicate a clear need for action.
Install sink drain screens, remind children to only flush toilet paper, and ensure fats and oils are put in the garbage, not washed down the drain.
If you notice these symptoms, tackle simple blockages with boiling water and drain cleaner. For stubborn issues, promptly call our blocked drain experts at North Ryde Plumbing at 1300 349 338 or email [email protected].
Our arsenal of high-powered hydro jetting equipment paired with cctv drain inspection cameras can clear even the most severely impacted drains.
Prevent the hassle of blocked drains and the potential for extensive repairs. Contact us to have your drains professionally assessed and cleaned promptly, ensuring the long-term integrity of your pipework and home.
