How do I unclog a blocked drain?
“How do I unclog a blocked drain?” is a very common question that plumbers get asked. Blocked drains are very much a plumber’s domain in most cases, however legally you can try using a plunger or a drain snake or auger which are simple devices you can purchase at the hardware store. Be very careful and do the following:
- Put the drain snake into the drain hole and twist the handle
- Gently push until you feel the blockage
- Turn the snake until you can feel the blockage come free
Should I unclog a drain myself?
When it comes to unclogging a drain, our advice is to get a professional to do the job. Even if you have some temporary success in unclogging your drain the problem will almost always come back and it will only grow (especially if tree roots are the issue – and they often are). Prevention is cheaper than cure! Only a licensed plumber can find the true cause of the blockage using a CCTV drain inspection camera. We can then clear the issue using professional excavation and plumbing equipment (pictured) and replace your pipes if necessary. Remember: don’t go digging yourself for both extreme safety and insurance reasons. We are here to help.
Legally, you need a plumber for any work that deals with sewerage, drinking & hot water and that’s where a lot of general plumbing work revolves around. Whether it’s fixing a leaking tap or needing new pipework, burst or blocked pipes and flooding, sewerage seepage or a broken, overflowing gutter, needing your hot water system fixed or installing a new one, Dream Plumbing can and will come out – including if it’s an emergence 24/7.
Why call a licensed plumber?
Only a licensed plumber knows how to avoid the many dangers involved in managing sewerage, drinking water and hot water systems, let alone flooding. Additionally, digging can be a dangerous undertaking when you don’t know where power lines or pipes actually lay. There’s a reason plumbing involves long accreditation and apprenticeship processes – you need to know your stuff!
Nothing is more important than your family and work colleagues’ health and safety. Nothing is worth risking that to save a few bucks either, and believe us, it will usually cost a whole lot more, including fines, insurance risk…the list goes on. Plus, we have the equipment and we’re fast. The less exposure to sewerage the better, right?
When emergency strikes
When a plumbing emergency arises, it can come without warning and cause major disruption to your property. It will also often pose a major health and safety risk, which is why you really do need skilled and reliable technicians.
Blocked drains are one of those things you can really put off, even when the warning signs are all there that there’s a big problem brewing that won’t be going away, i.e. gurgling sounds, rising water in the toilet, a slowly emptying sink etc. Fact is, more often or not it’s a tree root that is causing the problem and it will only grow. Literally. Just look at some of the stuff we’ve pulled out on the right! All water has to go somewhere and the last thing you want is for the blockage to flood your home and garden. Blocked drains and excess rain can lead to some big problems, but it won’t be too big for us.
AS LICENSED PLUMBERS, we have all the equipment to deal with blocked drains and pipes including CCTV drainage cameras, high pressure jets, electric eels and diggers.
How do I unclog a blocked drain? The answer to that question is really another question: should you attempt to? Trying to deal with a blocked drain or leak can end up costing far more than you’d spend on an initial call to the plumber. We’d rather help you now than see you end up in deep, sewerage water.
