Most property owners ignore a clogged drain until they experience its secondary damages. When a clog is ignored for an extended period, it can lead to severe damage.
A clogged drain can affect the structural integrity of your property. It can also lead to persisting odors, water damage, and health issues in your family.
Small objects, food particles, debris, and grease build-up are some things that cause a drain to block. The accumulation of these substances in the drain blocks water flow leading to severe water damage to the property. If you notice a slow or blocked drain in Melbourne, make sure you hire a reliable firm like Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing to avoid dealing with the damages such as:
Health deterioration
A blocked drain can affect your health and that of your family. Bacteria and fungi may grow in your property and lead to allergies and diseases. When wastewater from a blocked drain flows back into the property through the sink, it may contain bacteria and other harmful microorganisms leading to the spread of viruses and diseases. The contaminated water can also cause skin irritation and inflammation. Therefore, it is essential to contact Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing promptly to ensure a hygienic environment.
Persisting odors
Water and wastes that accumulate in a blocked drain in Melbourne can cause unpleasant smells within a brief period. The odor can linger in your property and cause nausea and headaches to your family.
Since clogs block the water flow in the pipe, waste is not soaked by moisture leading to strong odors. In such cases, it is essential to involve a team of professional plumbers such as Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing who have the right skills and equipment for the task.
Structural damage
When a blocked drain is ignored for an extended period, the water backflow in the drain can soak into the foundation. That can affect the structural integrity of the property. Sometimes, flooding can occur in the property, damaging your wooden floors and drywall. At Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing, we act fast by clearing out the blockages to prevent damage to the foundation of the property.
Pipe bursts and leakages
The water inside a clogged drain needs to go somewhere by the end of the day. The accumulation of water can lead to pressure buildup, causing leaks and burst pipes. A property owner can only witness these leaks when water reaches the surface of the wall and floors leading to water stains. If you do not handle the leakage on time, it can lead to flooding. Mold growth can also result from leaks.
Before you contact professional plumbers in Melbourne, you can try unclogging the blocked drain. The situation may not be as severe as it may look. With the right equipment and products, you can clear the drain and prevent the damages that may result.
Below are tips that can help you deal with the blockages.
When clearing any blocked drains in Melbourne, it is essential to equip yourself with eye protection and rubber gloves.
- Bent wire
Use a bent wire to fish out hair and any other nasty wastes blocking your drain system. You can straighten a coat hanger and create a small hook at the end that will help you pull out the gunk. After removing a substantial amount of the waste, run hot water to clear the drain.
- Vinegar and baking soda
With 1/3rd cup of vinegar and a similar amount of baking soda, you can easily clear your blocked damage. Mix the two to come up with a fizzing solution. Without wasting time, pour the solution down the blocked drain and let it work on the junk for over one hour or overnight. Alternatively, you can pour dry baking soda down the blocked drain, then pour vinegar immediately. The solution can help ease up the junk and hair for easy removal. You can flush down hot water or pick the gunk in your blocked drain in Melbourne using a bent wire.
- Use a plunger
When the baking soda mixed with vinegar works on the gunk and the hot water does not clear the drain, use a plunger to exert pressure on the weak matter. If water flows down the drain slowly, it is a good sign that the pipe is almost clearing out. You can add more hot water and continue exerting pressure rapidly using the plunger until the pipe clears.
- Caustic Soda
Also known as Sodium Hydroxide, it can come in handy when clearing a blocked drain. The caustic soda is available in local hardware stores. However, experts advise property owners to be cautious when handling the chemical. Use a mop bucket to make a solution of 3 cups of caustic soda and 3 liters of cold water. Stir the solution until it fizzes and heats. Without wasting time, pour the solution into the clogged drain and let it sit for 30 minutes without the use of hot water to flush down the drain.
If the tips above cannot clear your blocked drain, contact Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing for professional service. We have decades of experience, advanced equipment such as high-pressure water jetters and drain cameras to clean your blocked drains effectively. We also offer other services like installing and repairing hot water systems, fixing burst pipes, and leaking taps, and gas plumbing services, among others. When you need to unblock a blocked drain in Melbourne or any other plumbing service, feel free to contact us at 1300 931 384.