How to Choose the Best Plumber in Melbourne: Expert Tips
Not every plumber who shows up in a Melbourne search is worth calling. Some are licensed, insured and genuinely good at the job, others aren’t and you usually find out
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 is experienced in sewer repairs, stormwater replacements and unblocking drains.
We provide reliable blocked drain services across Princes Hill, Parkville, Heidelberg, Eaglemont, Alphington, Thornbury, Reservoir, and surrounding areas, helping local homes and businesses with their plumbing needs.
“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.”
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 solve 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.
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!
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.
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.
How do you clear a blocked stormwater drain?
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.
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.
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.
Explore our other services At Expert Plumbing, we pride ourselves on quality work, which relies on quality brands and products. We have put together a small selection of the many brands we know and trust for all your plumbing, hot water and heating needs.
Blocked drains can cause unpleasant smells, slow drainage, and serious plumbing issues if not addressed quickly. Our blocked drain service provides fast and effective solutions for both residential and commercial properties.
Blocked drains are commonly caused by a build-up of grease, food scraps, hair, soap residue, tree roots, foreign objects, or debris entering the drainage system.
Signs of a blocked drain include slow-draining sinks, gurgling noises, unpleasant smells, water backing up, or multiple drains blocking at the same time.
Blocked drains can quickly become an emergency if water or sewage starts backing up into the property, so prompt attention is recommended.
Minor blockages can sometimes be cleared with hot water or a plunger. If the blockage persists or keeps returning, a plumber should be called.
Plumbers use specialised equipment such as drain cables, high-pressure water jetting, and inspection tools to safely and effectively clear blockages.
Grease, oils, food scraps, wipes, sanitary items, and chemicals should not be put down drains as they can cause blockages and pipe damage.
You can’t predict a blocked drain. However, when you notice any of the warning 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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