Formerly Jim's Plumbing

How is a Blocked Drain Fixed?

Whether you have a blocked toilet, basin, shower, waste or drain grate, or you have a sewer or stormwater blockage, Plumber Near Me can fix it.

Our plumbers in Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane are experienced and can quickly and efficiently clean your blocked drains 24/7. We have many methods of clearing blocked drains.

Once I have arrived on site, I greet the customer and introduce myself. I am able to explain the rates for fixing a blocked drain and provide the customer with a form to sign if they are happy with the explained rates. Once the form is signed, I ask the customer some basic information like where they have been noticing the blocked drains.

For example, whether it is just blocked sinks in the toilet or bathroom or if it is all the drains in the house. Once the customer has shown me to the blocked drain, I locate the government inspection point to make sure that the blockage is on the customer’s side rather than on the water company’s side.

Tracking Down the Drain Blockage

Once the blocked drain has been confirmed to be on the customer’s side, I will locate and open any other inspection point in order to isolate the area where the blockage is located. If the blockage is found to be in an external area I would continue to set up the hydro machine to clear and clean the drain.

After I’ve asked the customer to close the toilet seat to stop any mess occurring, I connect the water supply using the garden tap to the hydro machine and run the main hydro hose to the area of work.

With the hydro set up, I connect the mini hydro to the hose and feed it into the drain via the access opening. The hydro jet machine will pull itself along the drain until it reaches the blockage.

Once the hydro jet has removed the blockage so the drain is flowing once again, I will turn off the hydro jet and remove it from the drain. With the hydro machine removed, I set up the CCTV drain camera to complete an inspection of the drains to find the cause of the blockage.

If the cause of clogged drain is either tree roots or broken and damaged pipes, I show the customer the blockage on the CCTV monitor and explain that due to the possible ongoing problems that the customer may have to have the drain replaced for a more permanent solution. I am able to provide the customer with a detailed fixed price to have the current problems rectified.

The Most Common Ways of Fixing a Blocked Drain

Dealing with a blocked drain can be a real headache. It disrupts your daily routine and creates a mess in your home. But don’t worry, there are several common ways to fix a blocked drain and get your plumbing back to normal.

  • Plunging: Plungers are a handy tool to unblock a drain. By creating pressure and suction, plunging can dislodge minor clogs in sinks, toilets, and bathtubs. Make sure to create a tight seal around the drain and plunge vigorously for the best results.
  • Drain snake: Also known as a plumbing auger or plumber’s snake, a drain snake is a flexible tool that can reach deep into the drain to remove stubborn blockages. Insert the snake into the drain and rotate it to break up or snag the clog, then pull it out carefully. DIY drain snake use is common but be careful, you can make the blockage worse.
  • Chemical drain cleaners: Chemical drain cleaners can dissolve clogs caused by hair, grease, or other organic matter. Follow the instructions on the product carefully, as these cleaners can be caustic, and be sure to wear rubber gloves. They are best used for minor blockages and are usually available at hardware stores.
  • Hot water: Pouring boiling water down the drain can be a simple yet effective solution for some drain blockages. If you pour boiling water down the drain it can melt greasy build-ups and flush them away. However, be cautious and avoid using hot water on porcelain fixtures or PVC pipes.
  • Professional assistance: If the above methods don’t work or the blockage is severe, it’s time to call a professional plumber. They have specialised tools and expertise to clear a blocked drain, such as hydro jetting, pipe relining or drain excavation.

Remember, preventing blocked drains is always better than cure. Regular maintenance, such as using drain screens and avoiding pouring grease or food waste down the drain, can help prevent future blockages.

Guaranteed Same-Day Plumbing Service 24/7

If you are tired of waiting for an unreliable plumber to attend who has not kept to the appointment time, or possibly can’t get to your location for a few days, then why not ring the reliable team from Plumber Near Me? We guarantee a same day plumbing service and will be on time, every time, 24 hours, 7 days a week for your blocked drain emergency.

When providing a fixed price, we use a variety of different approaches to provide the customer with the most accurate price possible. Most commonly we use a drain camera to pinpoint the exact location of the damaged pipe that needs replacing. I am able to determine how deep the drain is and if there are any other access issues to replace the drain in that area.

With the quoted price given to me by our head office, I am able to explain to the customer what work is required and provide them with a fixed price to have the work completed.

When the customer is happy with the fixed price, I then provide them with the appropriate paperwork to sign which can include paperwork for Humm or Zip, which are the finance options** payment plan providers that we offer to eligible customers.

Getting on with the Job

Once the paper work is completed, I begin marking out the sections that we need to dig up and arrange for extra equipment if needed, which is included in the fixed price provided.

With internal blockages, there are two different approaches that can be used, depending on the age of the home. In an older style house, I will locate the gully, which will allow me access to the drain line and enable me to attempt to remove the blockage. If it is a newer house, they do not have a gully as they are no longer built with one.

If this case I would have to access the drain line via the bathroom. Sometimes there may be a mess, therefore I explain this to the customer and try to eliminate as much mess as possible. We also carry a small camera to use on the smaller internal drains.

After the blocked drain has been cleared, I test it to make there are no further drain blockages. This will include a paper test for the main drain if required. With no further drain blockages found, I close up all inspection points and clean any mess that may have been made.

I also place a sticker on the hot water system in case the customer requires any future work. With the hydro jet packed up, I complete the invoice on the computer which includes all work that was completed as well as any quotes given for future work.

With the invoice printed out, I provide the invoice to the customer as well as a business card and fridge magnet should they need our number again. If the customer does not require any further information, I then process the payment whether it is cash, cheque or credit card and provide them with a receipt.

With payment completed I then process the payment and close off the job via my onboard computer and move off the next job for the day, leaving the customer with a functioning drainage system once again. Unblocking drains is a specialty at Plumber Near Me.

No-Obligation Quote for Drain Section Repairs

This is a very common type of clogged drain. Stormwater drains commonly block up due to tree roots, dirt and silt lying in the pipes.

Stormwater drains are the pipes that connect the pipes from the roof and the sumps in the garden, which then discharge to the water table (kerb) in the street. If any damage to your stormwater pipes has occurred from the blockage, your attending Plumber Near Me plumber will be able to supply you with a no-obligation quote for the repair or replacement of drain sections.

Plumber Near Me has many ways to clear a blocked drain, whether it’s a bathroom sink or outdoor drains.

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.