DIY Tips to Stop Future Blocked Drains

Understanding What Causes Blocked Drains

Blocked drains can arise from multiple sources:

• Hair buildup - Strands of hair can get tangled and accumulate inside drain pipes.
• Food debris - Leftover scraps, along with oil grease, can adhere to the insides of pipes and lead to clogs.
• Soap scum - Bathroom products like shampoo and soap can leave sticky residues.
• Tree roots - Invasive root systems from nearby trees can break into and block outdoor drainage pipes.
• Foreign objects - Small items that are inadvertently flushed and can cause blockage if they get lodged in pipes.

We use our expertise at Plumpton Plumbing to provide you with tips to maintain your plumbing system, preventing and repairing drain blockages. If you suspect any potential issues with your blocked drain starting to slow or back up, don’t hesitate to contact our team for professional assistance.

Inspecting and Maintaining Your Drains

Regular maintenance, including flushing drains with hot water, is essential to prevent blocked pipes in Sydney homes. Below are some vital tips prevent from the seasoned plumbers at Plumpton Plumbing:

• Weekly, run water down sink drains for 30 seconds to test flow. If slow, a plunger or straightened coat hanger can clear obstructions.
• Inspect outdoor drains during dry weather. Clear your outdoor drains from debris like leaves or dirt. Flush with a hose.
• Once a month, pour a mix of baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water, down bathroom drains to eliminate early-stage clogs. Let the solution sit for an hour to dissolve blockages, then flush with water for cleanliness.
• Maintain trees to inhibit roots from causing broken pipes, a measure that can prevent blocked drains, ensuring water can flow smoothly.
• Schedule annual drain inspections. A skilled plumber can identify small inconsistencies such as hairline fractures before they escalate into severe pipe damage.

Contact us at 1300 349 338 for custom advice for your home’s plumbing system. Preventative maintenance actions help keep your plumbing in top shape and avoid costly emergency drain repairs down the road.

Using Strainers and Screens to Stop Debris

Use sink strainers and tub drain screens to trap hair, food scraps, and debris before they block your drain. Strainers sit in the drain opening to filter out particles, and you can also fit drain screens deep into drain openings. Placing strainers in kitchen and bathroom sinks traps substances such as grease and soap, maintaining an efficient draining system.

Secure gutter guards over drainage grates in outdoor areas to prevent blockages. Available in various shapes and sizes, guards effectively prevent leaves, sticks, and other yard waste from entering the drainage system. This is especially useful for Plumpton homes with surrounding trees.

As pipes age, small gaps or cracks can form, allowing tiny items to get caught and create gradual blockages. Durable metal or nylon strainers ensure unobstructed water flow through your drains. They can easily be removed and cleaned, requiring just occasional maintenance.

For help choosing the right drain filters, call Plumpton Plumbing on 1300 349 338.

Performing Regular Hot Water Flushes

Boiling water is a household remedy to cleanse pipes of grease and oil build-up that cause clogs. Boil a kettle of water, then carefully pour it down your kitchen sink to dissolve grease and oil buildup. Be mindful not to use water at boiling temperatures that could potentially cause damage your PVC pipes’ integrity during regular drain maintenance.

Repeat weekly.

For your bathroom drains, Heat water until just before boiling, let it rest for an hour, then pour down the drain while it’s very hot but no longer boiling.

Pouring hot water helps remove obstructions like soap scum and flushes away debris, clearing blocked drains. Follow with cold water to solidify grease and carry it away. Doing this monthly helps stop slow drainage.

Scrutinise any accessible pipework beneath your sink which you can use or exposed on walls to identify their materials, some most essential preparatory steps before discharging hot water. Contact our team at Plumpton Plumbing on 1300 349 338 if you need assistance identifying pipe materials or have any other questions regarding safe and effective at-home drain flushing.

Minimizing Hard Water Buildup

A blocked drain can result if high levels of calcium and magnesium minerals from hard water leave deposits and buildup inside pipes over time. As scale accumulates, it restricts water flow which can eventually lead to blocked drains.

A water softener is the best solution to mitigate hard water damage by removing excess minerals. Water softeners execute an ion exchange process you can take advantage of to swap sodium or potassium ions for calcium and magnesium ions. This can cause pipes to clear while still providing softened water safe for drinking and cleaning.

If you are unsure of the water hardness level in your area, contact our team at Plumpton Plumbing on 1300 349 338. We can test your water and recommend appropriate water softening and scale prevention solutions to keep your drains and plumbing system running optimally.

Following Proper Disposal Practices

Improper disposal of food scraps, grease, and other debris down drains often leads to blockages. To clear blocked pipes, always use drain guidelines such as:

• Never allow fats, oils, or grease to be washed down the sink. Allow to fully cool and solidify, then discard in the bin.
• Use strainers to collect food particles and dispose of them in compost or trash, a proactive way to prevent clogs.
• Avoid flushing anything besides toilet paper. Items like wipes and sanitary products will clog pipes.
• Use a sink strainer basket to capture and discard coffee grounds and small food scraps routinely.
• Call your local waste management company to discuss proper chemical disposal methods before pouring any corrosive cleaners, paints etc down outdoor drains.

Following these practices will ensure your drains remain clear and free from organic buildup. If you need guidance on proper waste disposal or insight into the common causes blocked in drains, the professionals at Plumpton Plumbing are ready to assist you at 1300 349 338.

Avoiding Harmful Materials Down the Drain

Disposing of harmful substances in drains can lead to significant pipe and plumbing damage. At Plumpton Plumbing, we also advise homeowners that a hanger drain modification of a simple wire can occasionally be shaped into a tool for clearing blocked drains, aside from preventing harmful materials from being disposed of down any drain:

• Drain cleaner products—beware of chemical drain cleaners, as these can erode your pipes, potentially damaging your plumbing with harsh ingredients like lye or acid.
• Cooking oil or grease - These coat pipes and solidify, causing major blockages.
• Paint, solvents, or automotive fluids - These can be toxic and eat away at pipes.
• Pesticides or garden chemicals - Hazardous runoff can pollute waterways.
• Excess food waste - Small scraps can accumulate and can damage your pipes, leading to clogs over time.

To clear blocked drains effectively and safely, follow proper disposal methods or contact Plumpton Plumbing at 1300 349 338. Protecting your plumbing starts with avoiding harmful materials down the drain.

Natural DIY Drain Cleaning Solutions

Consider using natural cleaning solutions to clear minor blockages instead of harsh chemical cleaners:

Baking Soda and Vinegar

This classic combination can help break down any build up:

1. Introduce a combination of salt and half cup baking soda followed by hot water into the drain
2. Next, pour a cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of hot white vinegar; the mixture will foam and fizz
3. Let the mixture sit in the drain for 5-10 minutes to break down clogs
4. Flush the drain with hot water for 30 seconds to wash away debris after the reaction

Boiling Water

Hot water not only flows freely but also helps melt grease and fat. Exercise caution when using boiling water to avoid burns or damage to PVC pipes:

1. Bring several kettles of water to a rolling boil
2. Carefully pour down the drain in stages - the more grease present, the more flushes needed
3. Finish by running very hot tap water for up to 60 seconds

For severe or recurring drain clogs, it’s wise to engage a professional plumber at Plumpton Plumbing on 1300 349 338. Our team can effectively tackle even stubborn blockages with pipe relining methods and hydro jet cleaners.

Early Warning Signs of Drain Issues

Early detection of drain issues by recognizing the signs can greatly reduce the risk of severe blockages. Stay vigilant for these early warning signs blocked drain manifestations:

• Gurgling sounds from sinks or shower drains
• Water draining slower than usual
• Sinks not fully draining and holding water
• Toilets backing up after flushing
• Unusual odours coming from drains
• Multiple drains in the home acting sluggish
• Overflowing outdoor drains after rain
• New cracks in outdoor drainage areas

If you spot any potential issues or signs hinting at plumbing problems, such as a likely drain blockage, swiftly get in touch with Plumpton Plumbing on 1300 349 338. We can inspect your drains and recommend solutions to stop minor issues from turning into emergency blockages down the road.

Calling a Professional When Needed

Homeowners should recognize their DIY maintenance limitations. For severe clogs beyond simple DIY fixes, professional assistance is recommended.

There are definitive signs when it’s time call for professional intervention, including:

• Multiple attempts at DIY drain clearing have failed
• You use a motorised drain snake and still can’t clear the clog
• Multiple drains in your home are blocked
• Drain backups are spilling over or flooding areas
• Persistent rotten egg odours emanating from your plumbing signal potential gas issues, indicating a potential sewer gas build-up
• Outdoor drainage issues, such as a clogged drain, preventing water runoff

Our skilled plumbers at Plumpton Plumbing can unclog your drain issues like clogged drains with state-of-the-art technology, surpassing even the best DIY tips. We can inspect with sewer cameras, safely clear blockages, repair damaged pipes, and more. Trust our years of experience for guaranteed results and long-term solutions.

Don’t let severe drain issues go unchecked. For professional drain cleaning or plumbing repairs in Plumpton, Sydney, give Plumpton Plumbing a call at 1300 349 338, email us, or schedule an appointment online today.