Blog >  When to call a plumber for a blocked drain

Friday, 9 April 2021 2:01 PM    plumbing Grafton, residential plumbing problems

Some plumbing issues can quickly become a nightmare scenario and can often be due to a poorly executed DIY attempt. When it comes to a blocked drain, you can unblock it yourself. However, in some cases, it can be too difficult and can even cause irreversible damage.

Toilet, shower, bathtub, and sink drains usually get blocked due to the buildup of hair, soap scum, food waste, things thrown by kids and more. Trying DIY methods like plunging to clear out the pipe and u-bend may help, but if not, call a professional plumber with the right expertise and equipment to avoid more inconvenience or even a plumbing disaster.

Here are 4 reasons it’s time you call a plumber to unblock a drain instead of trying DIY methods:

1.   When off-the-shelf products fail to work

Most people rush to a nearby shop for off-the-shelf products such as Mr Muscle, Buster bathroom, kitchen unblocker and more when faced with a blocked drain. These solutions are only good for smaller blocks. This means they are ineffective in bigger or complex cases.

Sometimes they help for few weeks only, meaning you would have to buy another solution. This typically happens to drainpipes with excess gunk around their sides. So, calling a plumber to unblock it the first time a DIY attempt fails is the right thing to do to avoid damaging your pipes.

2.   When plunging fails

Have you tried plunging but have failed to fix the problem? Then it’s time you seek professional help. For plunging to be effective, it essential to perform it correctly. If you use a technique that is not completely applicable for unblocking the drain, it won’t work.

Don’t rush to the supermarket to purchase chemical drain cleaners, because that will only damage your pipes further and will not help you to figure out the root cause of the blocked drain.

Besides, you might be using the wrong plunger to unclog your blocked drain. Plungers come in three main types that apply to unblocking certain blockages:

• Cup plunger: Used for unblocking kitchen or bathroom sinks.
• Toilet plunger: Used on toilet drains to suck out the blockage
• Accordion plunger: Used for plunging a blocked toilet.

If you don’t have the correct plunger or technique, call a plumber.

3.   If there is a spreading mess

Has the situation gone so bad that a mess is spreading? If yes, bring in a plumber to handle the worsening situation as an emergency. Even if it’s a small mess, remember that it can quickly get out of hand and spread to other rooms, as well as cause an unbearable odour.

You don’t want a claim on homeowner’s or renter’s insurance because of damaged furniture, carpeting, wall or ceiling.

4.   When trying many unblocking tools isn’t working

If you’ve bought and used many of the standard tools required for unblocking drains unsuccessfully, ask for help. Some of these tools include:

• Closet augers
• Cable augers
• Angled shafts
• Plungers
• Wire pipe cleaners

Tools for unblocking drains work well, but it takes expertise to use them correctly. Besides, they can be expensive, so hiring a plumber is a much smarter decisionT.

5. When sewage starts backing up

Sewage backing up indicates you have blocked drains, often outside your house. Blockages may result from improper waste disposal, collapsed pipes, “fatbergs,” or tree root intrusion.

For these issues, you require professional help. And you should get it fast. That’s because raw sewage can overflow from your toilet and into your home, increasing the risk of damage and disease.

6. When you have a broken drain pipe

Broken drain pipes can bring all activity in your home to a standstill. Your only choice is to stop using the bathroom to prevent further damage to your property.

Broken pipes can occur anywhere in your house. Unfortunately, they are often difficult to reach. Many are underneath your driveway or behind exterior walls.

Moreover, failing to fix the problem fast can lead to flooding and mould growth. It can also damage your building’s structure, leading to costly repairs and health issues.

7. When hot water doesn’t work

Some DIY sites recommend using hot water to clear a blockage in your drains. The theory is that heating the blockage may “melt” it or change its properties, causing it to dislodge.

Unfortunately, this method is rarely effective. And if your water is too hot, it can damage your drains further.

8. When soap won’t work

Adding dish soap to a blocked toilet can sometimes lubricate the blockage, encouraging it to move on and enter the mains. It’s a fun solution because it creates a lot of bubbles along the way, especially when you flush.

Again, though, like hot water, it’s not particularly effective. It makes sense in your mind, but in practice, it doesn’t work.

The reason is that it relies on the blockage being “marginal.” Here, the weight of water from above isn’t quite enough to move the stuck material, but if you can reduce the friction between it and the surrounding material, it might budge.

Unfortunately, most blockages are not marginal. They require serious elbow grease to dislodge so this method won’t work. Again, hiring a plumber is the sensible choice.

9. When your entire house stinks

Nothing is worse than returning from a busy day to a house that smells like raw sewage. However, that’s what can happen if you leave a blockage unfixed. The stench of filth can waft through the air, making you want to wretch.

Living in a smelly house isn't just unpleasant: it’s also dangerous. Foul odours suggest higher airborne bacterial load and risk of infection. Therefore, get plumbing assistance as soon as you can.

10. When you are feeling distressed

Blocked drains are enough to leave you feeling terrible. They can make your living situation unbearable and you may have nowhere else to go. Calling a plumber, though, could restore your peace of mind.

11. When you need to use your bathroom

Lastly, you’ll want to call a plumber about a blocked drain when you need to use the bathroom. Going multiple days without a flushing toilet isn’t an option.

Call us for assistance

Calling a plumber to unblock any drain you can’t handle properly will help you avoid further inconvenience, avoidable costs and a plumbing disaster. Do you have any blocked or slow drains?

Contact us today at Tony Brown Plumbing & Gas Services either online or over the phone on 0419 998 068 to request a quote.