How do i clear a blocked drain at the kitchen sink?
Blocked drains at the kitchen sink are usually caused by a build up of fat, grease and oils. Sometimes i have found straws and chop sticks that have made there way into the drainage causing an obstruction. If you are confident you can fix your own blocked drain at the kitchen sink i would suggest first checking the trap. The trap is the pipework under the sink which has several bends. In most cases the trap can easily be removed. Remove the trap and check for drain blockages. Be careful not to spill the water in the trap and be sure not to pour it down the sink you have just disconnected.
Take the trap outside and give it a good clean with detegent and hotwater. Reinstall the trap with the seals intact. Test the drain by running water down the sink. If you notice that the drain is now running ok then you have fixed the blocked drain. If the water still is flowing slowly or is still blocked then the pipework furthur downstream must be clogged.
If you have found the drain still to be blocked i would suggest calling Dave from Drain and Plumb on 0422465381. When the line is blocked downstream of the kitchen sink the best solution is to clean and clear the drain using a special drainers machine called a water jetter. This way the line can be blasted clear of debris.
How do i clear a blocked toilet?
Blocked toliets are cause by an obstruction in the line. The first thing to do it to identify if the toilet is the only fixture affected by the blockage. This will help identify the location of the blocked drain. If you have found that the toliet is the only fixture affected then i suggest to try and plunge the toliet. The toliet can be plunged using a special plunger or even using a floor mop. Plunge the toliet repeatably the try and dislodge the blockage. Test the toliet by flushing. If the blockage has the cleared the toiliet will flow as usual if not the bowl will still fill up with water.
If you have found the drain still to be blocked i would suggest calling Dave from Drain and Plumb on 0422465381. When the line is blocked downstream of the toliet the best solution is to clean and clear the drain using a special drainers machine called a water jetter. This way the line can be blasted clear of debris. Never use any acids for clearing a blocked toliet as it may harm the ceramic finish of the bowl.
Which drain lines are my responsibility and where do my drains end?
SEWER PIPES – The homeowners responsibility ends at the junction of the sewer main (owned by Sydney Water) whether they are on your property or not.
STORMWATER PIPES – The homeowners responsibility ends at the street gutter or connection to a Council or private common drain.
A plumber told me that the drain needed repair. How can i be sure?
A drain camera can be pushed down the drain line to visually inspect the condition of the pipework. If any drain faults are found then the exact point can be located by a locator unit and a sonde in the end of the camera. This will also give an indication of the depth of the faulty pipework. While paying for a camera inspection will cost a fee it is always good to inspect before excavation as the camera can save alot of time and money due to incorrect location of fault or drain line. Always view the footage of the inspection so you can see the fault first hand.
How Do I Clear Blocked Drains ?
Does anything other than water enter your kitchen drain? Or do pieces of food and fat get into the Sydney drains also? Using a plug hole strainer to stop food fragments entering the drains is a good practice. Any fats left after cooking should be solidified and should go in your rubbish bin. Dont pour fats down the drain.
It is also a good practice to stop debris going down the bath and sink.The less debris entering the drains the less likely of it causing a blocked Sydney drain.Some people suggest you flush jugs of boiling water down all your household sinks on a monthly basis. This will help clean out fats and grease in the line.
