Have you got a blocked drain? Is water taking a lot longer to go down the drain? Does your sink make unusual gurgling sounds? Are there any stinky smells? Is there overflow from a grate outside?

If you’ve said yes to any of these questions, there’s a good chance there’s a blockage somewhere in your plumbing pipes.

Want to speak to a professional plumber in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth?

Signs You May Have a Blocked Drain

A blocked drain can lead to water back-up and potential damage to the home. That’s why it’s important to notice the signs you may have a blocked drain and to deal with the situation immediately. Look out for:

• Toilet water levels. They may appear quite low or rise up and slowly drain away after a flush.
• Slow draining water. Water may drain away slower than usual in toilets, bathtubs or sinks and may get worse over time as other debris accumulates around the blockage.
• Foul smells. If there is an organic blockage, it can rot in your pipes and begin to stink up your drain.
• Noisy drains. Water may make strange loud gurgling sounds as water tries to escape around the blockage.

If you are unsure you are experiencing a blockage, call a professionally certified plumber to assess the situation.

Invest in a Plunger

While investing in a plunger may be a temporary fix, don’t assume it will remove your blockage. It may solve the problem of water overflowing, but it will not remove or dislodge the blocked area in the pipe. The blockage may be caused by anything from grease buildup to toiletries or other foreign objects, and, to get your drains working properly again, will need to be fully removed from the pipes themselves. Save your time and your pipes by enlisting the assistance of a professional plumber who understands how to unblock a drain pipe correctly.

Tree Roots Could Be The Issue for Your Drain Issues

Most blocked drains are caused by tree roots invading your pipes. While this is a problem for old, cracked terracotta pipes, it can also happen to pipes made from PVC. This is especially the case during a drought or a long hot summer. Soil dries out and loses its elasticity, and the ground movement can cause pipes to crack or become misaligned. Tree roots take advantage and gradually make their way in, eventually growing to fill the space. The only way to fix the problem is to cut the roots out.

Want to speak to a professional plumber in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth?

Call In The Experts – What a Plumber Will Use to Unblock a Drain

The tools a plumber might use to unblock a drain depends on the type of blockage. Tree roots may require a camera inspection in order to assess what equipment will be needed. For blockages, anything from small snakes to drain machines may be required. Hydro jetting may also be used to clear out stubborn blockages. While blockages require specific equipment types, plumbers also handle hot water system issues and have specialised equipment for that as well.

If you’re not experiencing any of the classic symptoms of a blockage, but your property has a history of blocked drains, it might be worth your while to get an annual inspection of your drains and get them cleared once a month. Your plumber can also send a camera down to inspect pipe joints that have had problems in the past, and check them for tree roots.