Do you have a blocked drain?

Whether it’s a blocked drain, sink, toilet, sewer or even a blocked stormwater pipe, Expert Plumbing & Gas Services are ready to help. Our team are experienced in sewer repairs, stormwater replacements and unblocking drains.

"From the time I placed an emergency call to Leigh on Sunday night when the sewer pipe was blocked, to when the pipe was cleared early the next day ... it was wholely a timely painless process. The team was always on time and professional. Will use again and recommend wholeheartedly."

Regards Alex - Read More Google Reviews

Fast friendly service

Advanced diagnostic CCTV

Qualified experienced plumbers

Digging equipment for small & large spaces

CCTV Video Feed of Blocked Drain
CCTV Video Feed of Blocked Drain
Sewer equipment
Sewer Clearing Equipment
Blocked Drain specialist equipment
Steel Cables for Drain Clearing
Ridgid K-1500 sewer machine
Ridgid K-1500 Sewer Machine

How we clear blocked drainage

As expert plumbers, we’ve got specialist equipment to identify what is causing your blocked drain. There is no need for guesswork. If we’re not sure about the type of blockage we are dealing with, we’ll bring in the CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) camera. If we’re not sure of a pipe’s location, our below-ground sonar pipe scanner gives us the location and the depth of your blocked pipe. This allows us to also advise on the best process for stormwater drain repair or sewer replacement.

For a small drain blockage we can use our professional grade plungers. If the blockage is larger, we have serious clearing power with rotating steel cables and a variety of cutter heads. When we find roots are blocking the drain, we have an extremely high-pressure water jet system that can clear the problem. These services are also on offer for blocked stormwater and blocked sewer drains.

We are the professional, industry-standard-compliant plumbers you need for drain replacements and drain repairs.

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What You Need To Know About Blocked Drains

A blocked drain that is treated early can often be cleared with some plunging or home remedy.  Little blockages tend to turn into big blockages,  depending on how long the warning signs are ignored.

So what are these issues and the vital warning signs to look for?

You may notice your toilet is not flushing as it should. Maybe you also hear a gurgling noise from a drain. An unpleasant smell could come from the sink drain in the kitchen. Other signs are more dramatic. You might notice your gutters suddenly overflow even though it isn't raining heavily. These are alerts that you could have a blocked sewer or storm water drain.

The cost of ignoring these sorts of problems can be high. In the case of stormwater issues, ignoring the signs can risk damage to the foundations of your home. Ouch!

Blocked Sewer Drainage Versus Blocked Storm Water Drainage 

Waste water from your home comes from two places. The sewer drains carry waste from your toilet, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry. Your storm water drains collect and carry rain from your gutters and pathways. 

Sewer drains take household water waste to a treatment plant because this waste is potentially hazardous. In contrast, storm water drains flow into the ocean because this is cleaner water. 

Blocked Sewer Drainage

Sewer equipment
Sewer Clearing Equipment

Common Symptoms:

  • You might notice the water in your toilet has risen or fallen above or below the usual level.
  • You notice a strong and unpleasant smell.
  • You hear gurgling noises from the basin or shower.
  • Water is overflowing from the outdoor gully trap or drainage grate. 
  • It takes longer than usual for your shower to drain, or maybe it doesn't drain at all.

Common Reasons:

  • Incorrect installation of pipes
  • Tree roots breaking or growing into the pipes
  • Weakened or broken pipes
  • There is a build-up of grease or oil, especially in your kitchen sink drain
  • Foreign objects, such as baby wipes, hair, cotton balls, nappies or children's toys, are flushed down the toilet

Clearing Sewer Pipes 

Expert Plumbing & Gas Services have special equipment to unblock your sewer drains. We visit your site, inspect your drain, identify the issue and clear the blockage.

Our CCTV is fed through the drain to ensure the water flows well and the drain blockage is gone. This film footage is also an opportunity to see the likely cause of the issue. To prevent further problems, any pipe defects need to be fixed. If the CCTV identifies a defective drain, we will use our Kubota 1.5 tonne excavator to dig up, repair, or replace that part of the pipe. 

Blocked Stormwater Drains

Blocked stormwater drain
Blocked Stormwater Drain

Common Symptoms:

  • Stormwater issues tend to be visible.
  • Flooding at the storm water exit point after rain
  • Gutters or pipes outside your home overflowing during rain
  • A soggy patch in your lawn or garden area
  • Pits and grates holding water or overflowing

Common Reason:

  • The main reason for blocked storm water drains are leaves, soil, branches, or debris clogging the drains and the gutters.

Clearing Blocked Stormwater Drains:

How do you clear a blocked stormwater drain?

  • If you suspect your stormwater drain is blocked, you could try a common natural home remedy like baking soda, vinegar, or boiling water. If it's a minor blockage, natural methods like these might work. 
  • In the case of kitchen sinks, hot water might loosen a blockage temporarily, but it is likely to solidify again once things cool down.
  • If your best efforts don't work, it is a good idea to call a plumber as soon as possible. 

What Is Sewer Jetting?

Sewer jetting, also known as hydro jetting or sewer line cleaning, is a plumbing procedure that uses high-pressure water to clean and clear out clogged or blocked sewer lines, drain pipes, or stormwater drains. It is a highly effective method of removing debris, scale, grease, roots, and other obstructions from the inside of the pipes, restoring their proper flow and function.
The sewer jetting procedure typically involves the following steps:

Inspection: We will first inspect the sewer line or blocked drain using our specialised video camera to identify the location and cause of the blockage. This helps determine the appropriate jetting technique and equipment to be used.

Preparation: We will then prepare the area by isolating the section of the sewer line or blocked drain to be jetted and ensuring proper safety measures are in place.

High-pressure water jetting: Using a high-pressure water jetting machine, we will insert a specialised hose with a nozzle into the sewer line or drain and release a powerful jet of water at high pressure, typically ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 PSI (pounds per square inch) or higher, depending on the severity of the blockage. The high-pressure water stream can effectively break up and dislodge debris, grease, tree roots, and other obstructions from the inside of the pipes.

Thorough cleaning: The high-pressure water jetting is typically performed in a forward and backward motion to ensure thorough cleaning of the entire pipe circumference. We may also adjust the pressure and nozzle size as needed to optimise the cleaning process without causing damage to the pipes.

Flushing and debris removal: The dislodged debris and waste materials are flushed out of the sewer line or drain, and the debris is collected and properly disposed of.

Final inspection: Once the jetting is completed, we may perform a final video inspection to verify that the sewer line or drain is clear of any obstructions and flowing properly.

Sewer jetting is a highly effective and environmentally friendly method of cleaning blocked drainage and unclogging pipes without harmful chemicals. It helps prevent future blockages and extends the lifespan of your sewer system.

Are Blocked Drains Covered By Home Insurance?

Unblocking a blocked drain can be quite a messy and tough job and can be expensive to fix. Compare the market, one of the popular platforms to compare different insurance providers, says that “... home insurance can cover the damage to your home caused by blocked drains if it is included in your policy ... if you have content insurance, it can cover the replacement of ruined valuables caused by the after-effects of a blocked drain.” However, it also says, home insurance will not cover the cost of the actual drain, including the cost of repairing or replacing it.

Tips To Minimize The Chances Of A Blocked Drain

Some drains block due to natural causes such as tree roots breaking or growing into the pipes and the movement of the earth over time. While you may not be able to avoid a blockage, here are a few tips to reduce the chances of a blocked drain.

  • Do not flush non-flushable products such as nappies, wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, or a large amount of toilet paper
  • Do not pour cooking oil down your sink drain
  • Make sure to keep the shower drain grate clean
  • Clean your gutters regularly
  • Call a plumber to arrange regular pipe inspections

Get Help With Your Blocked Drain Today

You can't predict a blocked drain, however when you notice any of the warnings signs, contact us.

When you need a blocked drain or anything else resolved in a hurry, give our friendly team a call on 03 9486 5907 or send an email to info@expertplumbing.com.au. We’ll be happy to provide you with an obligation-free quote.

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