Common Myths About Blocked Drains - Busted

Introduction to Common Myths About Blocked Drains

When it comes to plumbing myths, misinformation can lead homeowners down a path that compromises your plumbing maintenance plan. At At our plumbing service, we aim to empower the Gold Coast community with accurate knowledge to properly tackle plumbing problems and avoid unnecessary blockages.

In this article, we will tackle 5 common plumbing myths about blocked drains to help homeowners better understand their plumbing systems. Dispelling these myths is vital to curb improper DIY drain cleaning practices that can worsen issues.

With over 10 years serving the Wetherill Park region, our team has seen the damage caused by following inaccurate drain care advice. We understand the frustration and financial burden of persistent blockages. Dispelling the most tenacious myths, we educate homeowners and direct them towards practices that maintain clear and flowing drains.

Myth #1: Flushable Wipes Are Actually Flushable

Despite being labelled "flushable", wipes should not be flushed down the toilet. However, this is a dangerous myth. Wet wipes, marketed as flushable, do not break down like toilet paper and can accumulate, causing blockages in your plumbing system.

Although flushable wipes will disappear down the toilet at first, they do not dissolve in water. Over time, they clump together with other matter, creating serious blockages as everything goes down. This mass adheres to your pipes, can cause serious passageway clogging, restricting flow and leading to backups.

A 2021 Water Services Association of Australia study found that flushable wipes made up over 30% of materials causing blockages. They cost the municipal sewer system millions yearly to remove.

In your home, clogged drains can arise from flushable wipes, and you might wonder how much they will cost to clear, typically anywhere from $150 to $350+. The wipes also damage water heater pumps at wastewater treatment plants.

Instead of flushing, use a plunger to clear away minor clogs and discard flushable wipes in the garbage. Look for the waterlogged wipe icon Look for the 'non-flushable’ symbol on packaging indicating they will not break down in water.

For a safe flush experience and to protect your plumbing, ensure that your toilets and pipes only encounter 4-6 sheets of toilet paper. Misleading marketing claims may suggest otherwise, but items like litter down the toilet should never be flushed down toilet channels. Educate family members and renters about the consequences of improper flushing to avoid costly plumbing issues.

Myth #2: Hot Water Prevents Drain Clogs

Some people believe that pouring hot water down the drain will dissolve grease before it solidifies. Unfortunately, this is false; hot water only briefly melts fats which can travel further into pipes before cooling and sticking.

Contrarily, cold water after oil disposal helps solidify grease, making it easier to dispose of. As water cools, grease recongeals, adhering to pipes and impeding your plumbing system. Here, concoctions like grease with coffee grounds or lemon peels can bond, gradually forming impassable masses.

A 2021 Sydney Water report found cooking fats like lard or bacon grease cause nearly 25% of residential blockages yearly. Accumulations of fats and grease can solidify into formidable blockages after passing through pipes near the kitchen sink.

Rather than risk moving grease into your plumbing system, understanding different types of drain protection is essential. Pour cooled oils grease, and other cooking fats into an empty can for the garbage once solidified.

Use drain strainers to catch food particles during washing up, and consider using garbage disposals or a grease trap which can eliminate oils from dishwasher output.

Understanding these small habits can safeguard against substantial drain cleaning expenses over time. Remember, the myth that hot water melts grease is untrue; no quantity of hot water can dissolve sewer clogs once grease has hardened. The optimal strategy lies in understanding your home’s plumbing system and, when necessary, using ice cubes to sharpen garbage disposal blades.

Myth #3: Store-Bought Drain Cleaners Are Safe and Effective

Many might think that liquid drain cleaners available at supermarkets offer a convenient solution for clogs. However, akin to the hazards when pouring grease down the drain, these chemical products can damage pipes and pose risks to health and the environment.

Store-bought drain cleaners contain harsh ingredients like lye, sulfuric acid, and chlorine bleach. They work by essentially “burning” through organic debris. Yet, these substances can corrode the inner lining of pipes, increasing vulnerability to blockages.

Repeated use weakens metal over time, which complicates the task to clear blocked drain efficiently. The toxic fumes released can also cause irritation to eyes and airways during use. Plus, with most formulas, users must pour excess chemicals back into containers, increasing contamination risks.

Rather than attempting risky, damaging DIY chemical drain cleaning, households should call a professional plumber. At Wetherill Park Plumbing Services, like all plumbers dedicated to quality, our team uses specialised equipment like electric drain augers and high-pressure jetters to clear drains which are blocked safely.

Not only do we prevent pipe erosion, but we also identify underlying issues. Accurate diagnosis resolves misunderstandings, guaranteeing the right solutions for blockage removal and clog prevention. We even offer CCTV drain inspections to check systems thoroughly.

While store-bought drain cleaners seem convenient, they can lead to significant plumbing damage. Protect property, health, and the environment by partnering with an experienced plumber who can help with all drain care needs, including instructions to turn off water when necessary.

Myth #4: Ignoring Slow Drains Won’t Lead to Blockages

Many homeowners believe that as long as water still drains from sinks or showers, a slow flow is not an issue. Unfortunately, neglecting gradual draining can allow blockages to develop over time.

Slow drainage often reveals partial obstructions from materials accumulating in your sewer line. While water may squeeze through slowly at first, the mass can easily expand to fully clog the pipes.

Hair and soap scum are one most common culprits. As they slip through small gaps, they snag other passing debris. Over months or years, this tangle grows, narrowing pipes considerably.

Slow-flowing water has too much contact, some most likely with pipe walls, promoting clogs. This allows minerals from hard water to crystalize and restrict flow. Grease also congeals easily within sluggish drains, so never pour grease or oils down your drain basins.

Once nearly blocked, sudden additions of hair or food particles can create complete stoppages. At this critical point, home chemical drain repairs are useless and pipes may need replacing.

To avoid expensive hydrojetting, snaking or drainage excavation, address slow drains quickly to get out ahead of the problem. Our expert plumbers deploy advanced inspection cameras for accurate identification and timely clearing of burgeoning blockages.

We advise households to resist disposing of grease down drains and to utilise hair-catching drain screens, along with regular baking soda and vinegar cleaning mixtures. Catching buildup early is crucial to preventing blockages.

Myth #5: Professional Maintenance Isn’t Needed for Healthy Drains

Many homeowners find it hard to appreciate that even with free-flowing drains, professional maintenance is crucial. However, regular inspections can often prevent your plumbing system from becoming riddled with minor issues that escalate into significant blockages.

Daily, your plumbing system encounters significant buildup from hair, soap scum, grease, food scraps, and debris. Minor leaks in your pipes or cracks can invite tree roots to intrude over time. Without inspection, these accumulations can go unnoticed until pipes can become fully blocked.

During professional maintenance, our Wetherill Park plumbers meticulously evaluate your system, including sinks, with CCTV cameras. This technology spots trouble areas and allows precision clearing before clogs develop. It also detects leaks early.

We advise households on the things they should do for small daily habits to optimise drainage flow between scheduled visits, which can also lower your water bill. This involves employing hair-catchers, steering clear of pouring fats down sinks, and flushing pipes monthly with hot vinegar or baking soda solutions.

With regular professional drain care, issues like leaky joints, partial clogs and root overgrowth can be addressed promptly before causing emergency blockages. Don’t wait until water stops flowing or drains get blocked - Minor slowdowns are a clear indication that your pipes require intervention.

Take a proactive stance and call plumber services for drain health maintenance. Professional maintenance keeps plumbing operating smoothly for the long term, saving money and headaches.

Warning Signs Your Drains Need Attention

There are several easy-to-spot signs indicating your drains urgently require maintenance or repair:

Slow draining water

If sinks, showers or toilets gradually drain slower over time, partial blockages are likely building up. Catch this early before build up worsens into clogs.

Gurgling sounds

Gurgling noises from piping indicate sewage or wastewater backing up due to obstructions downstream. Professionally clear drains promptly to find the blockage.

Sewage smell

Unpleasant gases rising from drains means debris is accumulating or pipes are cracked. Identify and address the underlying issue as toxic methane poses indoor air quality and explosion risks.

Multiple plumbing backups

If several fixtures are all sluggishly draining, roots may have invaded pipes externally. Sever intrusions before they completely halt water flow.

Catch these subtle warning signs early on and clean your toilet and drains regularly. Attempting makeshift drain repairs often backfires. Call Wetherill Park’s professional plumbers for preventative maintenance and repairs.

How to Prevent Future Blockages

To prevent future blockages, cultivate good household habits and uphold a schedule for professional maintenance.

Around The Home Tips

Start by Installing drainage strainers over sinks and shower drains to catch hair and food scraps before entering pipes.

Employ sink baskets to catch food residues while washing up and discard solidified grease properly; these practices should become routine.

Consider installing hair-catching screens on drains as an additional precaution. Purchase eco-friendly, non-abrasive drain cleaning solutions instead of harsh chemical cleaners. Use these monthly by pouring down sinks and showers, leave overnight before rinsing, ensuring you can flush out debris effectively and save money on future plumbing repairs.

Educate family members, especially children, to only flush toilet paper and not wipes or other items. Place rubbish bins in bathrooms to prevent accidental flushing. Such straightforward yet essential practices go beyond erosion reduction; they significantly prevent the accumulation of debris.

Professional Assistance

Complement home care with preventive maintenance; book drain inspections to tackle issues before they evolve into major plumbing headaches. Our maintenance inspections proactively detect issues before they escalate into blockages.

Using our expertise, we ensure erroneous practices like putting a brick in your toilet tank are corrected. We resolve minor buildups and rectify persistent issues, like the notorious brick toilet tank obstruction, by recommending tailored solutions to enhance your plumbing’s drainage flow.

With early diagnosis of leaks, cracks or root intrusions, we can implement preventative repairs affordably. This regular professional collaboration keeps drains clearer for longer, avoiding emergency blockage responses.

Don’t wait until all fixtures back up to call for help. Arrange for maintenance inspections now to gauge the condition of your plumbing system. Detecting problems early prevents expensive hydrojetting and drainage repairs down the track.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

Using harsh chemicals or improper methods for DIY drain repairs is Attempting risky DIY solutions can worsen issues by pushing problems deeper into the drain. Knowing when to call a professional plumber versus using a drain cleaner can prevent extensive property damage and expensive repairs down the road.

Reach out to Wetherill Park’s licenced professionals when you need plumbing issues fixed promptly if you experience any of the following:

• Complete blocked drain scenarios or toilets overflowing with sewage backflow
• Foul sewage odours emitting from multiple fixtures
• Visibly burst or broken drainage pipes
• Sinkholes or wet spots around exterior drainage lines
• Leaking pipe joints causing water damage
• Shower, sink or toilet fixtures only draining partially
• Gurgling sounds emanating from your toilet bowl or drain lines

With specialised tools and expertise, our professional team swiftly addresses your clogged drain and sewer line issues. We utilise advanced methods like hydrojetting, electric augering and CCTV pipe inspections to clear stubborn blockages and diagnose underlying problems accurately.

Utilising advanced plumbing technology and expertise, we reinstate full drainage function and protect against future blockages.

Don’t let minor sluggish drains escalate into fully clogged emergencies. Reach out to our professional plumbers on 1300 349 338 or at jobs@wetherillparkplumbingservices.com.au for immediate assistance.