What is the cause?
Commonly when older earthenware drains block up, the drains will leak from perished pipework joint sealing ‘O’ rings. This can be detrimental to the structural soundness of your property due to the leakage causing erosion of the surrounding soil. When a drain backs up, water can also pool and cause damage to walls, floors, ceilings, carpet, structural beams, etc.
All sewer systems have a safety overflow called a ‘relief gully’. If a blockage occurs in a section of pipework unprotected by the relief gully, this can cause overflow within the property.
If left for too long, water damage can lead to mould or mildew, which can be a serious health risk and incredibly difficult to get rid of.
Cleaning of a cast iron drain in preparation of pipe relining.
There are many reasons a drain blockage can occur. Some of the more common causes are;
- Tree Roots – Tree roots are the most common cause of blocked drains. Tree roots are drawn to water and the condensation on the exterior of sewerage and stormwater drains. Roots can be strong enough to penetrate pipes and cause blockages by trapping paper, grease and other objects within the drain. Over time and with further growth of the roots, the pipes can become severely damaged, causing serious leaks.
- Grease – Grease and fatty substances are another common cause of blocked drains – particularly in kitchens. Any type of fats or oils that are washed down a sink will adhere to the inside of the pipes. Once the grease has cooled, it will harden and eventually build up enough to catch other substances, such as food scraps, creating a wall within the pipe and blocking any liquid from passing through. It can be extremely difficult to break down and remove the fats from drains.
- Hair – Hair is a big culprit of blockages in bathroom drains. Large amounts of hair trapped in a pipe can tangle, bind with grease and other sticky substances to form clogs and ultimately, obstruct the water flow, blocking the drain.
- Heavy Rain and Storms – Living in Sydney, severe storms and heavy rain from time to time are a given. High intensity rainfall is occurring more often due to climate change. Stormwater drainage systems are often unmaintained and forgotten by property owners until a blockage occurs. Some drains are old or simply insufficiently designed and cannot withstand heavy amounts of water, causing water to build up and flood. On top of this, accumulated leaves and debris in gutters or leaves blown in by heavy winds can cause problems. Wet and soggy leaves that travel down into drains can create a dense and heavy obstacle, resulting in blockages.
- Foreign Objects – Foreign objects being flushed or accidentally finding their way into a drain can cause major issues. For example: nappies, wipes (even the flushable kind), sanitary items, cotton buds, dental floss, plastic bags, food waste, etc.
Some items will absorb moisture when immersed in water and enlarge, quickly blocking drains and pipes. Any foreign object flushed or dropped into a drain can become an obstruction to the flow of water, resulting in blockages and/or leaks.
Call Cut Price Pipe Relining on 02 9363 0081 to get the job done right the first time. You don’t pay until you’re completely satisfied with the works completed!
How We Help
If you are experiencing a blocked drain, it can be difficult to pinpoint why it is happening, especially when the pipes are underground. This is why Cut Price Pipe Relining perform a drain inspection to diagnose the cause.
How it works:
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- Specialised pipe locators are used to determine the exact location and depth of the affected drain
- Using a CCTV camera, the stormwater or sewerage drain is inspected to locate the blockage
- The affected pipework is cleared of the blockage using a high-pressure water jet
- The drain is then reinspected using a CCTV camera to assess for any breakage or cracks in the pipework
- CCTV inspection of the unblocked drain and footage will be supplied to customer
- We ALWAYS clean and restore the work site and remove all related rubbish from site
- A quotation for relevant pipe relining solution will be supplied where necessary
For more information on blocked drains, pipe relining, junction repairs or pipe patching, call Cut Price Pipe Relining on 02 9363 0081 to get the job done right the first time. You don’t pay until you’re completely satisfied with the works completed!