Sydney is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city showcasing the Bondi beach on the coast of the Pacific Ocean with 4.5 million people. Annually, there is a fireworks display welcoming the new year at Sydney Harbour. Many choose to purchase properties in the suburbs such as Liverpool and Manly, located West or North of the Sydney Central Business District because of the eclectic and charming older houses with tree-lined streets and Victorian terraces.
These older houses bring with them ageing sewers and stormwater systems that can bring minor and major inconveniences depending on the upkeep and maintenance. The homeowners can sometimes do the repairs at no cost, but other houses can incur repairs that will cost thousands and become a long-term problem. Below are the most common causes of blocked drains in Sydney and some tips to prevent the issues.
Blocked Kitchen Sink
All around Sydney, one of the most common causes of blocked drains in the kitchen sink is due to fatty substances like oil and grease, which is a nuisance to remove. The oils, fat, food sediments, and grease will solidify and harden, which sticks to the pipes until it prevents even the water from passing through.
The accumulated build-up turns into a disgusting sticky black mess, but you can reduce the thickening layers. Rather than dumping them in the sink, you can visit your local Coles or Woolworths Supermarket and purchase inexpensive glass jars or plastic containers. You can collect the cooking oil and other greases in these glass jars or plastic containers and throw them in the trash bin.
Blocked Bathroom Drains
Bathroom drains can also get blocked. Many household items get mixed with water and are disposed of in the toilets, showers, and bathroom sinks. Dental floss and leftover soap can easily block the pipes in your bathroom sink. Soap is made of fat and oil that can get trapped inside the pipes’ linings and cause blocked drains.
Tissue paper, sanitary napkins, tampons, diapers and baby wipes are some common items flushed down in the toilet that can block drains. These toiletries absorb water and become bigger, which prevents water from passing through the pipes.
The solution to prevent blocked toilet pipes is to dispose of the toiletries in the waste bin rather than flushing items in the toilet. If you are using a public toilet or changing room, use the designated waste bins to dispose of the diapers and napkins. The garbage that gets flushed down the toilet may end up in oceans and cause severe damage to the environment.
The most common causes of a blocked drain in the bathroom sink and shower are caused by human hair. Hair binds with grease and soap that commonly falls when you are taking a bath or shower. When you are getting ready, your hair can fall into the sink. Along with hair products, hair can accumulate and can create a block in the pipe. The quick solution is to remove the hair before it clogs the pipe. You can also find shower drain hair catchers to prevent the hair from falling into the drain and clumping up.
Blocked City Drains
If you are working across the Sydney Metro area, there are instances where tree roots have caused blocked drains. Tiny cracks or leaky underground pipes allow small tree roots to penetrate the drains to grow and block water passage creating severe pipe damage. The repair involves a high-pressure sewer jetting, trenchless pipe relining repair, and possibly an excavation if the problem digs deep.
You can prevent blocked drains in Sydney through awareness and early detection. Sometimes, an outdated sewage system may need upgrading or a plumbing professional to install heavy-duty equipment. The common plumbing problems are easily avoidable if you follow these proper techniques and maintain the cleanliness in your home.