Formerly Jim's Plumbing

Blocked Drains with Dan the Man

This is Dan. Clearing blocked drains, or at least attempting to, is the pits. You break out the plunger and that won't do the trick. You might even try a DIY drain snake, and still... nothing.

When you’re up against a blocked drain, it can feel like a real home invasion. Everything gets held up; your daily routine, your water flow, your peace of mind, and let’s face it, your nostrils. But fear not, with ‘Plumber Near Me’, those clogged drains are soon to be a distant memory, and here’s how we make it happen.

Baking Soda And Other Safe DIY Methods You Can Use

If you find yourself dealing with an overflow drain situation, don’t feel like you need to rush to your local hardware store of choice to buy a caustic cleaner. Try these safe and effective DIY drain cleaner methods first.

  1. Baking soda and vinegar: Start by pouring a cup of baking soda down the blocked drain. Follow it up with a generous amount of white vinegar. This combination can help break down a build up of organic matter, break down and remove grease, and clear minor clogs.
  2. Boiling water: Pouring boiling water down the drain once a week can help prevent build-up and keep your drain system in good shape.
  3. DIY drain snake: Purchase or rent a drain snake. Insert it into the blocked drain and rotate it gently to break up and remove the clog. This method allows you to loosen blockages that are perhaps deeper and therefore harder to clear with baking soda or boiling water.
  4. Wire Hanger: If you don’t have a plumber’s snake handy, a straightened wire coat hanger can be a useful alternative. Bend one end into a hook shape and carefully insert it into the drain. Wiggle and twist it to dislodge the clog and pull it out. This method can work well for minor obstructions closer to the surface.
  5. Bacteria based enzyme cleaners: Another eco-friendly option is to use bacteria-based enzyme cleaners specifically designed to clear a blocked drain. These products contain beneficial bacteria that naturally break down organic matter and grease in your pipes. They are a convenient and environmentally friendly way to prevent blockages and keep your drains flowing smoothly.

Along with the household toilet plunger, these methods are readily available with everything either already at home or in hardware stores everywhere. By using natural ingredients like baking soda and hot water, you can safely and effectively clear blocked drains without resorting to caustic cleaners and other harsh chemical products. Your pipes and the environment will thank you!

DIY Disaster? Leave it to the Pros!

Armed with the DIY drain snake, a cup of baking soda, maybe a wire hanger and the trusty boiling water, many brave souls have ventured beneath the sink. And for relatively minor drain blockages, that combination may well be all you need. However, without the right tools and expertise, such efforts with larger and more stubborn blockages can lead to bigger problems, like broken pipes or a severe shower drain blockage that defies a simple fix.

Recognising the right time to hand over to professionals with experience in unblocking drains – as well as a proper drain auger – can save you not just time but also unnecessary expense and hassle. At ‘Plumber Near Me’, we provide the expertise to swiftly transform your DIY disaster into a smoothly running drainage system once again. So when you need to clear a blocked drain in or around your home, give us a call ASAP.

The Common Blocked Drain Culprits

Blockages in household drains are all too common, and the culprits are often closer to home than we might think.

More often than not, it’s less about battling tree roots in outdoor drains and more about everyday items that clog drains like:

  • leftover food debris
  • cat litter
  • cooking oil
  • toilet paper (using too much can still lead to a blockage)
  • the dreaded baby wipes
  • other materials and foreign objects

In the kitchen, we often see food scraps and coffee grounds block sinks. Pouring fats and oils down the kitchen sink will also typically result in a severe blockage as well. Meanwhile, in the bathroom, hair, soap scum, and even foreign objects like the occasional dropped toothpaste cap can lead to drain blockages that require the expertise of a professional plumber.

Even the smallest drain hole is not immune to the chaos caused by these seemingly harmless items. Understanding what causes these clogs is the first step in maintaining clear and functional pipes.

No Blocked Drain We Can’t Beat

At Plumber Near Me, we’ve never met a blocked drain, broken pipe or drain opening that we’ve not been able to get under control and back in prime working condition. No matter what we come up against, whether it’s blocked sinks, a blocked toilet, or PVC pipes that have been invaded by tree roots, we’re locked and loaded with everything we need to tame the proverbial beast. So much so that it will feel like it’s more in hot water than you are.

We deploy state-of-the-art CCTV drain cameras, which serve as our eyes underground, allowing us to identify the blockage with precision. For those severe blockages that resist standard methods, our hydro jet machines stand at the ready. These powerhouses send a high-pressure water stream through your drains, obliterating tree roots, grease build-up, and any other obstruction with ease. There’s truly no blockage too stubborn for our skilled team to tackle.

Pipe Relining and When That Becomes Necessary

Of course, there may be occasions where a damaged pipe may need more than just a Band-Aid (a metaphorical one, obviously) to fix it. That’s where pipe relining comes into play.

“What is pipe relining?” I hear you ask. Essentially, it’s the last option we explore to repair a damaged pipe before we’re forced to explore a complete excavation, which is always the last resort approach. Pipe relining is a non-invasive repair method where a plumber inserts a flexible resin-coated liner into a damaged pipe. The liner hardens, creating a durable, seamless inner pipe surface.

The process is particularly necessary for pipes that have cracked or corroded. It stops them from creating leaks or drain blockage and provides a cost-effective and minimally disruptive alternative to traditional pipe excavation and replacement.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

Knowing how to prevent blocked drains is key to maintaining a smooth-running household, and spares you from the inconvenience and potential expense of unnecessary drain repairs.

Simple habits can make all the difference, like using a drain strainer to catch food waste and hair or disposing of oil and coffee grounds in the bin rather than the sink. Regular maintenance, such as pouring hot water down the drains weekly, can help dissolve fatty substances before they accumulate and cause a blockage. Educating the household on what shouldn’t go down the drains—like sanitary products and wet wipes—is also crucial to preventing blocked drains.

These preventative measures can keep your plumbing system healthy, saving you from future blocked drain dramas.

Emergency? We’re Here 24/7

When a blocked drain strikes, it doesn’t wait for a convenient time. That’s why Plumber Near Me is at your service around the clock, every day of the year, to get you out of hot water.

We understand that some situations are too urgent to wait, whether it’s a burst pipe that’s turned your kitchen sink into a paddling pool or a blocked toilet just moments before your house guests arrive. Our skilled plumbers are always ready to dash to your rescue, equipped with the necessary tools and expertise to address your plumbing crisis promptly. With us, help is never more than a phone call away.

Payment Plans for Every Pocket

At Plumber Near Me, we appreciate that suddenly dealing with blocked drains and burst pipes can be an unexpected strain on your finances. That’s why we’ve tailored our payment options to ensure that our services are available for you when you need them most.

In addition to standard ways to pay like credit or debit card, cash, cheque and direct deposit, eligible customers can also take advantage of our interest-free** options. These give you the option to spread the cost over weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments, and allow you to address urgent plumbing needs without the added stress of a lump sum payment. Our focus is on unblocking your indoor and outdoor drains with minimal fuss to your cash flow, making essential maintenance work worry-free.

Get Out Of Hot Water With The Blocked Drains Specialists

Plumber Near Me stands as your first line of defence against the havoc of blocked drains. Our expertise spans from the smallest clogged drain to the most complex plumbing systems besieged by severe blockages.

With the latest drain cleaner technology and a wealth of experience, we don’t just offer quick fixes to remove blockages. We also offer comprehensive, lasting solutions as well as practical preventative strategies to keep your drains clear in the long run.

Whether it’s emergency assistance or routine maintenance, our commitment to service ensures your home’s plumbing operates smoothly. Trust us to keep your drains flowing and your life stress-free.

Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.