Tips & How To's

Dealing with Blocked Drains in Your Home

You’re washing your dishes and notice that the water isn’t going down. This can be very frustrating for homeowners; some consider it their worst nightmare. From food debris that won’t go down, foul smells, dirty water, and being unable to brush or wash dishes in the sink, clogged drains will give you a lot of headaches overall. See info about clogs on this webpage here.

It can ruin the start of someone’s day, and dealing with it can be a hassle. There are a lot of signs that you’re dealing with this issue, including a sewage-like smell in the bathroom or the kitchen. Overflowing water where it spills back is also a telltale sign that you’re facing some major blockage. Gurgling sounds where the water is pushing against the pipe and slow drainage that gets worse over time can also be a sign.

There are a lot of reasons why you’re getting blockage, and some of the primary reasons are foreign objects that have found their way into the pipes of U-bend. They can be toys, nappies, sanitary products, or wipes that were not flushed down. Cooking oil and larger food scraps can also be considered culprits, or they can be years of soap and hair build-up.

Professional Drain Cleaning and Unclogging Services

Fortunately, you can rely on the professionals to do the unclogging. They can provide pipe relining services, especially if the ones that you have are already too old. They can be an effective and efficient alternative to a full replacement, where they can get the drain clogs fixed in no time. A plunger may also be used, and this simple tool can push down most of the stubborn debris down into the pipe.

Others are going to utilize a drain auger or snake, which are very flexible tools to clear the blockage. They can be rented from a hardware or plumbing supply company, and you can use them on the cleanout plug that’s also the access to your sewer line.

Wrenches are used with them, and the caps are rotated so you can open the pipe. Insert the snake and guide it towards the blocked areas to clear most of the debris or break some of the larger pieces. If this method does not work, the experts may use high-pressure washer jets that can blast through your water lines. They can be very effective when it comes to the removal of stubborn blockages, oil, and grease. Hoses can reach around 4,000 psi, which is often very expensive and can break the older and rusty pipes.

Preventing and Detecting Blocked Drains in Residential Plumbing

For residential homeowners, blocked drains can easily be prevented through boiling water that can help dissolve soap scum or grease. They can pour the water steadily and slowly, clearing most of the food or dust particles stuck out in the pipes.

Natural and acidic cleaners like vinegar and baking soda can also have fizzing effects. Leave them out for around ten to twenty minutes, and add a lot of hot water afterward. For the latter, some solutions are caustic and specially designed to break the tough blockages apart. They will dissolve oil, fat, and grease, and you have to ensure that there’s proper ventilation in the kitchen or bathroom before using them. Find info about baking soda at this link: https://www.bhg.com.au/the-difference-between-baking-soda-and-baking-powder.

Finding the Right Plumbers

1. Learn More about their Insurance and Licenses

Having the proper license to work in your area will mean that these professionals are serious about their business. This ensures that they have passed the local codes and regulations of the Health and Safety Council and that they are experienced in operating various plumbing systems. Check their websites to know if the local agencies in your area accredit them.

2. Provides Warranty

Excellent tradesmen take pride in their craftsmanship and will stand behind it if needed. These experts should give you warranties, meaning they will do some repairs without extra charges if things go wrong after they’ve done the repairs.

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The length of the Warranty will also vary for each project.

3. Ask for their References

Call at least three clients who’ve worked with them recently and see if they can provide you with in-depth reviews about their experience. Ask questions on their social media pages and see the kinds of projects that they’ve worked on in the past. It’s going to give you an idea of whether they are reliable or not and if they can clear major blockages in your drainage pipes when needed.

4. Involvement in Communities and Associations

A solid support system and a community they can serve are some of the hallmarks of a good business. This means that the local councils know them, and they’ve serviced at least two to three homes in your neighborhood. Others even go the extra mile to sponsor gift-giving and school events for the kids. They might also be involved in fundraising and little league teams, where they’re known for their hard work.

5. Having the Right Skills

Aside from their expertise in removing the dirt and debris from the pipes, you must also assess their soft skills. See if they take off their shoes and respect your home or if they are parking their van in the designated places. These little details will help you determine whether you’ve hired the right people or not.

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Go to your social media accounts or local community forums to verify whether a plumbing company is legitimate. Your online resources, as well as TV and print ads, will help with the vetting process. They can help you become more aware of a specific contractor, so do your research well. See what services they specialize in or if they can guarantee their work and craftsmanship. They’ll also give you a timeline on how long the project takes and if they’ve done these kinds of work before.

Brantley Jackson, dad and writer at 'Not in the Kitchen Anymore' is well-known in the parenting world. He writes about his experiences of raising children and provides advice to other fathers. His articles are widely praised for being real and relatable. As well as being an author, he is a full-time dad and loves spending time with his family. His devotion to his kids and love of writing drives him to motivate others.