How Do I Know If My Main Drain Is Blocked?

A blocked drain is a plumbing issue that occurs when a pipe or drain becomes completely or partially blocked; this can result from a build-up of hair, toilet paper, soap or even tree roots growing into your pipes. The consequences of this can cause significant disruption to your home life, so it’s important to recognise potential problems quickly. This blog lists common signs of drain blockages to help you identify issues, as well as the services FlowWise offers to get your water running freely again.

Water & Sewage Backup

Strong, unpleasant odours in your drains are a common indicator of water and sewage backup in your home. This can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Corrosion
• Heavy traffic above pipes
• Damaged joints
• Sewer lines sagging over time
• Bends in the pipe which collect debris
• Pouring fats, greases or oils down the drain
• Bulky items such as paper towels, wipes & sanitary products

If the smell persists over a long period of time, it could indicate a more serious problem with the main line, so it’s important to call a professional to diagnose the problem as soon as possible.

Slow Water Drainage

Another sign of blockage is slow water drainage in toilets, tubs and sinks. Toilets are usually connected directly to the main line, so any blockage is likely to affect them first. If only one toilet is backing up, you may just have an issue with that individual fixture, but if all your toilets are having issues, as well as other sinks and drains throughout the house, there’s likely an issue somewhere along the lines leading from your sewerage system. This should be addressed quickly to identify or prevent more serious issues with your plumbing system.

Gurgling Noises From Drains

If you hear gurgling noises coming from your sink or bathtub while they’re draining, this could be caused by air escaping from the pipes due to a blockage in the main line. This type of noise usually indicates an obstruction, which will need to be cleared out before normal drainage can resume.

What Can I Do About It?

The first thing to do when you notice a potential blockage is turn off the water in your home. This will keep the situation from getting worse while you wait for expert advice and prevents automatic processes – like dishwashers or washing machines – from draining more water into your clogged pipes.

After turning off the water, call a qualified plumber to offer advice and assistance. FlowWise uses specialised equipment and camera technology to identify and treat main drain blockages without digging. First, we conduct a CCTV camera inspection which allows us to locate the issue and show you exactly what’s causing the blockage. We also utilise pipe and problem location to pinpoint issues and accurately determine the best course of action, as well as high pressure cleaning and disinfecting techniques to cut through tough debris, remove grease and leave contaminated areas germ free. On the completion of services, we provide work reports with honest recommendations and free quotes for additional work if required. These services allow us to fix issues quickly with minimal impact on your home and family.

Call us today on 07 5445 4276 for a free, no obligation quote.