At Contemporary Plumbing, we’ve been servicing Queanbeyan’s plumbing for years, tackling everything from minor blockages to major drainage issues. Blocked drains can lead to costly repairs and inconveniences, but with a few preventative measures, you can avoid the most common blockages. Below are some practical tips to keep your drains flowing freely.
How to Stop Drains from Getting Blocked
Prevention is the best approach to avoid blocked drains, which can lead to unpleasant odours, slow drainage, or even costly repairs. Here are some detailed strategies to keep your drains clear and functional:
Be Mindful of What Goes Down the Drain
One of the biggest causes of blocked drains in Queanbeyan is allowing inappropriate materials to enter the plumbing system. Avoid flushing items like wet wipes, tissues, and sanitary products, which don’t break down in water and can cause severe blockages in your sewer lines. Food scraps, oils, and fats should never be poured down the sink in the kitchen. Cooking oils and grease may be liquid when hot but solidify as they cool, creating a sticky buildup along the walls of your pipes. This hardened fat combines with other debris, leading to blockages that are difficult to remove without professional intervention. Soap buildup from fatty soap products can also coat your pipes over time, hardening and contributing to clogs.
Install Drain Guards to Prevent Blockages
A simple and effective solution to prevent hair, food particles, and other debris from entering your drains is to install drain guards. These are small mesh covers that fit over your drain openings. They trap hair in the shower and food particles in the kitchen, ensuring they don’t enter the pipes where they can combine with grease and soap to form stubborn clogs.
Regular Cleaning To Prevent Blocked Drains
To prevent buildup inside your pipes, make it a habit to flush your drains periodically with boiling water. This helps dissolve grease and soap residue clinging to the pipe walls. For a more thorough clean, you can use a baking soda and vinegar mixture, which reacts to break down organic matter, helping to dislodge soft blockages before they harden. This natural solution is especially effective in combating the early stages of soap scum and grease buildup in both kitchen and bathroom drains.
Scrape Dishes Before Rinsing
Before placing dishes in the sink, scrape off any excess food and put it into the bin. Even small food particles, when mixed with soap and grease, can create sticky masses that cling to the pipes and slowly cause a blockage.
Avoid Chemical Cleaners In Your Drains
While tempting, using chemical drain cleaners too often can cause damage to your pipes over time, particularly if they are older. These cleaners can weaken pipe walls and are not a long-term solution for preventing clogs.
Maintain Your Gutters And Spouting To Prevent Blockages
Clogged gutters and spouting don’t just cause roof issues; they can also lead to water overflowing into outdoor drains, carrying with it leaves, dirt, and other debris. This material can block outside drains, especially during heavy rains. Keeping your gutters clear and free-flowing will prevent this debris from making its way into your drainage system.
By following these preventative steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of blocked drains, ensuring a hassle-free plumbing system for your home or business. For expert advice or assistance, don’t hesitate to contact Contemporary Plumbing, your trusted plumbers in Queanbeyan, who specialise in all things related to blocked drains.
How Do I Stop My Outside Drain from Clogging?
In Queanbeyan, where many older homes are surrounded by mature trees, outdoor drains are particularly vulnerable to clogging. Established trees have extensive root systems that can infiltrate underground pipes, causing persistent blockages. Combined with falling leaves, dirt, and other debris, the risk of outdoor drain clogs in Queanbeyan is higher than in newer, less vegetated areas.
Here are some detailed tips to keep your outdoor drains clear:
Clear Leaves And Debris Regularly
The older, more established properties in Queanbeyan often have large trees nearby. Their falling leaves, twigs, and dirt can quickly build up in your garden and outdoor areas, especially in autumn. To prevent this debris from washing into your drains during rain, it’s essential to regularly clear your yard. Use a rake or blower to keep the area clean and prevent the blockage of surface drains.
Install Drain Cover for Your Drains
Outside drains are particularly vulnerable to larger debris like leaves, twigs, and dirt, which can quickly clog pipes. Installing a sturdy drain cover can help stop larger particles from entering the drainage system. In Queanbeyan, where outdoor areas often have rich plant life, drain covers can be a simple and effective measure to reduce the risk of clogs.
Check for Root Growth Near Your Drainage System
Due to the established nature of Queanbeyan’s older trees, tree root intrusion is a common cause of blocked drains in the area. Tree roots naturally seek out moisture and can penetrate underground pipes, causing significant blockages over time. It’s a good idea to schedule periodic inspections of your outdoor drains, especially if you have large trees near your home. A professional plumber can identify early signs of root damage before it becomes a costly issue and help you prevent blocked drains.
What is the Best Way to Unblock Outside Drains?
If your outdoor drain has already become clogged, you can try the following methods:
- Manual cleaning: For blockages near the surface, a drain rod or a pressure washer can often help clear out debris. This is effective for clearing simple blockages caused by leaves or mud.
- Drain auger: If the blockage is deeper, a plumber’s auger can help break through the obstruction. This is particularly effective for stubborn clogs caused by compacted leaves or soil buildup in older pipes. However, it’s best to leave this type of blockage to the professionals to avoid the risk of damage to older pipes and drainage.
- Chemical drain cleaner: While chemical cleaners can help dissolve organic material, they should be used sparingly. Older pipes, common in many Queanbeyan homes, can be more susceptible to damage from harsh chemicals. It’s best to limit the use of chemicals, especially if the blockage is caused by tree roots, which may require professional removal.
Given the age and vegetation of Queanbeyan’s properties, tree root infiltration and seasonal debris are frequent causes of outdoor drain clogs. It’s wise to call in professionals for persistent issues or deep-rooted blockages. At Contemporary Plumbing, we specialise in addressing blocked drains across Queanbeyan. We can do CCTV camera inspections before any digging to identify the problem and use advanced clearing methods like Jet Rodding. Our experienced team can handle anything from minor obstructions to major root invasions, keeping your drainage system in top condition.
Take a look at our Tips & Tricks Guide to drainage for more advice.
Conclusion: Prevent Blocked Drains
Blocked drains can be frustrating and costly, especially in an older, tree-filled area like Queanbeyan. However, with the right preventative measures, such as regular maintenance, installing drain covers, and staying vigilant about potential tree root growth, you can significantly reduce the risk and prevent blocked drains. If you do experience a blockage, addressing the issue promptly with the right tools or professional help can prevent more serious damage.
At Contemporary Plumbing, we understand the unique challenges of maintaining drainage systems in Queanbeyan’s established neighbourhoods. Whether you’re dealing with tree root intrusions, seasonal debris, or everyday blockages, our expert team is here to help. Trust us to provide reliable, efficient solutions that keep your drains running smoothly. For any blocked drain concerns, contact Contemporary Plumbing today. We’ve got you covered.
At Contemporary Plumbing we service the entire Canberra region:
Canberra | Queanbeyan | Belconnen | Gungahlin | Woden | Tuggeranong | Weston Creek | Watson | Hawker | Kambah | Wanniassa | Downer | Aranda | Waramanga | Duffy | Curtin | Spence | Ainslie | Chifley | Cook | Fisher | Hackett | Melba | Narrabundah | Hodder & More
