Blocked drains are not an uncommon experience for homeowners. Such situations are a nuisance. Unblocking a drain is costly and can take time to fix. You may have to take a break from using the bathroom, kitchen, or doing laundry.

Trust only a qualified block drain plumber to take away any obstructions you may have in your drain pipes. They have the right experience and can offer you some maintenance tips that will help you avoid blocked drains.

Geelong 24 Hour Plumbing should be your first choice when looking for a plumber in Geelong. Our plumbers are not only experienced but licensed at handling blocked drains effectively.

Reasons why your drain may block and how to prevent it

Here are a few major causes of blocked drains and how to prevent them:

Foreign objects

It may be your curious child flushing down their toys or trying to discard small pieces of soap. When such items build up over time, your drain will get blocked. Throwing such things down the drain should be avoided.

Fat, grease, and foods

These are the most common causes of drain blockage. They swell up when you leave foods like rice and pasta in water. If they are stuck in the drain, they will swell up, blocking the sink. Always dispose of all food in the bin other than the sink.

Grease and fats are sticky and attach themselves to the drain pipes. After a while, they end up blocking the drain. Be mindful of the liquids you pour into the sink. Avoid running any liquids with fat or grease down the sink.

You can prevent fats and grease accumulation in your sink by cleaning the sink regularly.

Toiletries such as baby wipes

Nappies, baby wipes and paper towels should be trashed in the bin, not down the toilet. They do not disintegrate in water like toilet paper and flushing them down your toilet will cause blockages in your drain.

It is advised not to flush down too much toilet paper as it takes a while to disintegrate. It may lead to temporary blockage, causing inconveniences.

Hair build-up

A massive build-up of hair prevents water from going through the drain. One should check for hair accumulation around the plughole before it gets into the drain pipes, causing a blockage.

Products available in the market, such as drain covers, help catch hair before getting into the plug hole. This helps in avoiding hair accumulation.

Tree roots and leaves

Tree roots are terrible news for pipes. If there is a crack in the pipes and the roots are strong enough, they will penetrate through, causing a blockage. This is an issue that only a blocked drain plumber can handle.

Leaves can as well cause significant obstructions. Always keep your garden maintained to avoid this issue.

Some DIY home remedies to fix your blocked drain

Sometimes you do not need to call in a blocked drain plumber. If the blockage is not severe, you can try some of these home remedies to unclog your drain.

A plunger

Pour warm water in the sink halfway, and then use the plunger to suck out any obstructions.

Baking soda and vinegar

Pour up to half a cup of baking soda in the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for some time, then pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. Pour hot water until the clog opens.

Salt and baking soda

Mix baking soda and salt into a cup, and then pour the mixture down the drain. Let it sit for a while, depending on the extent of the blockage. If it is too severe, you may let it sit for a whole night. In the morning, pour in boiling water to clear the combination.

A straightened wire coat hanger

With the hook intact, straighten the hanger and use it to fish out any build-ups down the drain. Pour hot water when done.

Why do you need a licensed blocked drain plumber?

Home remedies may not work every time. At this point, you need to call in a blocked drain plumber to fix your drains. Sometimes doing it yourself with no experience may lead to damages and more costs.

Here are a few benefits you get from calling in a licensed blocked drain plumber:

•  A professional plumber will maximize the efficiency of your drains.
•  It saves you money over time due to proper maintenance.
• They have the know-how of taking away drainage odors.
• Bacteria and mold may quickly build up in a blocked drain, affecting the health of people living in that household. A professional will ensure you experience clogging less often, keeping you healthy.
• When it comes to severe clogging and drainage cleaning, there are tools that only a professional can access that will help with unblocking your drains.

These tools include drain cameras, manual and motorized drain snakes, hair snakes, plungers, hydro-jets and more. With the help of drain cameras, they locate the clog and use tools such as the hydro-jet to remove it.

Geelong 24 Hour Plumbing has a licensed, experienced, and qualified team with access to the latest equipment to help unblock your drainage.

If you need a blocked drain plumber in Geelong, contact us on 1300 368 866, and we will be available at your earliest convenience.