Introduction to blocked sewer lines
Properly functioning sewer drains are essential for the sanitation and comfort of households and businesses alike in Saint Marys, Sydney.
Blocked drains can lead to a line clog, causing raw sewage to back up into properties and creating unliveable conditions, health risks, and costly damage if left untreated. Saint Marys Plumbing, with licensed professionals specialising in drain blockages, can diagnose issues and restore flow using high pressure water jetting, drain snakes, and pipe relining.
This article details how to remedy a choked sewer, its causes, prevention, and effective restoration measures.
The importance of timely intervention to minimise damage to plumbing systems and property will also be discussed.
Signs your sewer line is blocked
There are several clear indicators that your blocked sewer drain may be obstructed, including:
- Gurgling sounds from sinks and your sewer drains
- Water draining slowly from sinks, your shower, and your toilet
- Foul sewage odours inside the home
- Overflowing sewage drains outside the property
- Pools of water gathering around manholes or near external drains
If neglected, blockages can intensify, and you’ll need decisive intervention to avert sewage from ultimately reversing into your home.
Securing a professional diagnosis and clearance of a sewage blockage is critical to reinstate proper drainage before dire consequences surface. An experienced plumber can use their expertise to investigate what caused the blockage and recommend solutions to prevent future occurrences.
What causes sewer line blockages
There are several common causes of sewer line blockages:
- Tree root infiltration – Roots from local flora can grow through vulnerabilities in your pipework, culminating in a thorough block. This situation accounts for around 75% of sewage line blocks.
- Foreign objects – Sending items like wet wipes, sanitary products, and cooking fats down toilet passages can cause blockage, leading to problematic build-ups and obstructions.
- Pipe damage – Cracked, broken, or misaligned pipes allow solids to snag and accumulate. Tree roots also exploit cracks to infiltrate lines.
- Permitting grease and fat to flow down the drain can clog your pipes as these substances gather within the system over time.
Many blockages result from flushing inappropriate items, leading to clogs in aged or damaged pipes. A plumber can identify specific causes and implement solutions to prevent future clogs.
Tree roots
While the native vegetation and tree-lined streets of Saint Marys are picturesque, their roots often wreak havoc in underground sewer pipes. Tree and shrub roots seek out any cracks or openings in ageing sewer lines, gradually invading and spreading inside pipes as they search for water.
Accumulated roots obstruct water flow and are a leading cause of sewer line blockages. Root masses also trap solid waste flowing through the line, which can lead to accelerated blockages threatening the sewer infrastructure of your house. They contribute significantly to sewer clogs across the Inner West and Sydney’s broader west Sydney region.
Chemical root treatments can neutralise invading roots involved in plumbing issues, but these tend to regrow over time. The most effective solution to clear a problematic sewer connection is to physically remove the roots then repair any cracks using trenchless pipe relining. This involves inserting flexible epoxy resin lining that bonds to the inner walls, sealing out roots and restoring structural integrity.
Flushing wrong items
Flushing inappropriate items down the toilet is becoming more common and not only disrupts the water your system relies on but also causes household blockages in Saint Marys. Items such as sanitary products, wet wipes, dental floss, and cooking grease are often causes of blocked sewerage, as they do not break down within the system.
Fortunately, there are ways for a plumber fix your pipelines when these non-degradable materials get snagged or combine to form substantial clogs. A 2016 study found 75% of blockages involved non-flushable items. This indicates many residents are inadvertently contributing to pipeline clogs, despite ongoing public education campaigns.
Contrary to popular belief, wet wipes do not break down as toilet paper does, contributing significantly to blockages in our plumbing systems. When flushed they easily snag in joints or tree roots within pipes. These accumulate and entwine with fats and solids passing through, creating thick obstructions over time.
Fixing these avoidable blockages places extra strain on sewer infrastructure. It also risks sewage backing up into homes. By only flushing the 3P’s – pee, poo and toilet paper – households can drastically reduce unwanted clogs and callouts.
Pipe issues
Issues with the physical pipes themselves are another root cause of sewer blockages in Saint Marys. Older properties may still rely on outdated materials like clay or concrete pipes laid decades ago. In due course, the main sewer line can suffer more than minor cracks or misalignments from earth shifts and tree root invasions, leading to snags and build-ups of waste.
Newer PVC plastic pipes are less prone to cracks but can still become misaligned or suffer breakages, especially at joints. Poor installation workmanship or ground subsidence puts strain on pipes, potentially causing gaps that might necessitate any work on your system too hard, leading to blockages. Small leaks can facilitate tree root intrusion that evolves into significant woody blockages.
Plumbers restore flow capacity and prevent root intrusion using relining techniques without the need for excavation.
Hot water jets are used to remove debris before inserting flexible epoxy resin for lining.
Risks of blocked sewer lines
A blocked sewer drain can present substantial risks if neglected for too long. Raw sewage backing up into homes can cause damage and spread diseases such as gastroenteritis due to bacteria and viruses. It also risks extensive damage from Sydney Water saturating walls, floors and foundations.
Even before spilling indoors, a drain blockage in areas like Drains Sydney can result in unhygienic conditions outside, highlighting the importance of having regular maintenance carried out. Pooled sewage can get yards infested with mosquitoes and other pests, in addition to creating contact risks for both children and pets.
Persistent your blocked drain issues not only create health and property risks but can lead to significant infrastructure damage with sewage issues emerging through your property, demanding the expertise of a Sydney plumber. Prolonged pressure on pipes causes cracks and joint failures. Tree roots and solid accumulations inside lines grow denser over time as well.
Harnessing the essential know how to get a blocked drain inspected and promptly cleared by Saint Marys Plumbing mitigates these risks before major issues arise. It also prevents avoidable pipe repairs down the track. Through rapid action and the fitting remedy for each obstruction, your local plumber from Saint Marys Plumbing can reinstates seamless flow and hygienic living conditions.
Health hazards
Clogged sewer systems present significant health hazards if sewage overflows into homes or gardens. Raw sewage contains bacteria, viruses, parasites and moulds that cause infectious illnesses. Direct contact or inhaling these contaminants can cause gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, vomiting, skin infections, respiratory problems, and worsened asthma.
Allowing children or pets near overflowing manholes also risks exposure. Beyond disease, overflowing sewage also lures in vermin like rats and cockroaches who can spread diseases. The decomposing waste also releases toxic gases like methane and hydrogen sulphide.
Who’s responsible for managing these risks? With schools, care facilities, clinics, and businesses throughout Saint Marys, it’s vital to prevent staff or vulnerable people from coming into contact with contaminated water, which may result in major outbreaks. As health focused services, it is particularly vital for us to clear any sewer blockages promptly. Preventing overflows avoids lasting sickness among local residents and employees.
Property damage
Unchecked overflow from blocked sewers can result in catastrophic damage. Raw sewage flooding into homes saturates carpets, drywall, cabinets and furniture. This allows mould to take hold, and as the situation deteriorates, structural damage courses down each drain and wall frame.
Sewage also corrodes building foundations over time.
In extreme cases, rooms or entire properties may need extensive repairs and remediation to make them safe and habitable again. The usual flooding incident inflicts over $10,000 in damages, frequently creating a serious concern for the owners responsible for the property. have the capable professionals fix problem areas that often lie concealed within wall cavities, thereby addressing lingering issues after the apparent floodwater recedes.
For commercial premises, the challenge of blocked drains Sydney often faces means inundation with sewage due to a compromised sewer pipe can bring business to a standstill. Stock, machinery, electronics and vital records can be destroyed in an instant. The ongoing closure and repairs also lead to substantial profit losses on top often six-figure restoration bills.
With speedy action and skilled diagnosis of blockages, our Sydney plumbers at Saint Marys Plumbing assist to mitigate damage and shield properties throughout the area. By identifying root causes and applying preventative solutions as well, our comprehensive plumbing services ensure sewage overflows become less likely over time.
How plumbers diagnose and clear blockages
At Saint Marys Plumbing, we use advanced tools for clearing blocked sewer lines with precision, serving customers with specialised drain plumbers throughout Sydney’s South East and beyond, before tackling those stubborn clogs. This includes the use of a CCTV drain camera that is fed down lines to accurately pinpoint blockage locations, along with high-powered pressure water jetters that swiftly remove debris.
In the case of Sydney blocked drains, CCTV inspections enable our plumbers to visually pinpoint blockages and uncover their cause, be it tree roots, pipe defects or flushed objects. We can examine the extent of issues and determine the best method for removing obstructions.
A high pressure water jetter releases intense blasts, up to 5000 PSI, to effectively clear and cleanse clogged sewer passages. Water jetter tools are also deployed alongside snaking gadgets to physically engage and remove obstructions such as those causing blocked sewer drains.
For severe blockages, we combine water jets to break up the mass, followed by mechanical snakes to extract debris. These industrial tools would be unavailable or unsafe for homeowners to operate, so hiring professional hydro jetting services is recommended.
With state-of-the-art drain clearing technology and our wealth of experience in resolving a variety of blockage your pipelines might face, our team acts swiftly to diagnose issues in your sewer lines, restoring unimpeded flow for residents and businesses.
CCTV inspections
CCTV drain inspections are an invaluable diagnostic tool for locating blockages. A camera on a flexible cable is fed down your drains, allowing plumbers to find out the condition internally by transmitting a live video view. This lets plumbers visually assess and clear blocked drains to identify the exact position, nature, and severity of any obstructions.
Seeing inside to unblock your ageing, broken or root-infested pipes would otherwise be impossible without extensive digging or destruction. CCTV technology pinpoints issues quickly without property damage. It guides our jetting and snaking equipment to the right spot for precision drain clearing.
We generally conduct CCTV inspections first when attending sewer clogs in Saint Marys.
Hydro jetting
Hydro jetting is an advanced technique used by plumbers to clear blockage in drains effectively. It involves firing a highly concentrated stream of pressure water through the pipe at up to 5000 PSI.
This procedure is designed to break down any solid waste, thick roots, and grease buildup, effectively tackling common drain obstructions. Hydro jetters can be fitted with special nozzles to target problem areas more precisely.
We routinely utilise professional-grade jetting equipment when called to blocked sewer lines in Drains inner west Sydney’s mix of older terracotta and plastic pipes. Hydro jetting is a safe option that avoids pipe damage compared to manual rodding or digging.
By blasting away whatever is obstructing the line, we can restore free drainage without needing major repairs. It effectively addresses various types of blockages, barring those associated with structural pipe failures.
Snaking
Snaking is a traditional method often used for clearing smaller blockages before they reach your main sewer line by manually feeding a long, bendable auger down into the pipe. As the cable is rotated, the spiral cutting head bores through the accumulated blockage, our tools latching onto materials to pull them out as the snake is retrieved.
Utilising a drain snake remains an effective method to clear sink obstructions and retrieve objects near the initial blockage point. However, given that most sewer pipes run underground well past the access point of a property, snaking capabilities are less effective than hydro jetting for mainline concerns.
We typically address the blockage in your bathroom or kitchen sink with implements like drain snakes, sink plungers, or electric eel machines.
Preventing future clogs
There are several steps households and businesses can take to help minimise the risk of future sewer line blockages:
- Avoid flushing anything except human waste and toilet paper. Never flush wipes, sanitary items, fats/oils or other rubbish.
- Install basket strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and hair; An occasional flush of boiling water mixed with baking soda can also help maintain the health of your pipes.
- Pour fats and cooking oils into a container to solidify, then dispose in general rubbish, rather than down your pipes where they can build up and contribute to a blocked sewer pipe.
- Check around your property for pooling water or overgrown vegetation that could infiltrate and damage sewer pipes.
- Have a professional plumber inspect the line with CCTV and clear any small issues before they worsen.
- Consider trenchless pipe relining to seal ageing, cracked lines. This prevents future root and waste ingress.
Staying mindful of what goes into your plumbing and maintaining its integrity will help avoid catastrophic blockages. Should concerns arise regarding your sewer line’s condition, don’t delay and call plumber at Saint Marys Plumbing on 1300 349 338.
Proper disposal
Properly disposing of waste is key to avoiding blockages. Only human waste and toilet paper should go down toilets. Food scraps, oils, fats, wet wipes, and other rubbish must go in the general waste bin.
Being conscious of keeping inappropriate items out of sewer lines avoids issues. Contact Saint Marys Plumbing promptly if you’re dealing with a blocked situation so we can clear any debris before major problems arise.
Inspections and maintenance
Regular inspections and maintenance are vital for preventing sewer line blockages in Saint Marys. Expansive soils and urban tree coverage, combined with our dry climate, stress ageing pipes, which can develop cracks over time. Unchecked cracks can lead to invasive tree roots penetrating the lines.
Annual CCTV inspections help identify and rectify minor pipe defects early. Thorough spot repairs reseal lines, and pipe relining offers structural reinforcement, preventing future blockages. Proactively addressing small issues can prevent major future blockages.
After heavy rainfall, homeowners should check for water pooling that could indicate cracked sewer pipes. Any suspicious odours, moist ground, or overgrown vegetation around manholes requires further inspection. Contact Saint Marys Plumbing on 1300 349 338 for professional drain evaluations.
When to call a professional plumber
It’s time to reach out to your plumber at Saint Marys Plumbing if you notice any of these issues:
- Water draining slowly from sinks, showers or toilets
- Gurgling noises coming from drains
- Sewage odours inside your home
- Overflowing manholes or water pooling around drains outside
- Backed up sewage inside the property
- CCTV inspection reveals pipe damage or blockages
Our team is available 24/7 for any plumbing emergencies, ready to provide immediate assistance. We have all the specialist equipment to diagnose issues and restore drainage. Don’t hesitate to contact Saint Marys Plumbing on 1300 349 338 or [email protected].
If you suspect a problem, call Saint Marys Plumbing promptly to avoid contamination health risks and minimise property damage.
Conclusion
Having a fully functional sewer line is critical for households and businesses in Saint Marys to maintain hygiene and prevent property damage. Blockages present substantial health hazards and disruption if raw sewage backups occur. By recognizing the signs of blockages and seeking timely solutions from Saint Marys Plumbing, residents can avoid serious issues.
Our licenced plumbers use high-tech CCTV cameras and powerful hydro jetting equipment to identify and eliminate stubborn blockages. We swiftly and safely restore drainage, whether impeded by tree roots, pipe faults, or flushed debris. We offer long-term solutions such as pipe relining to strengthen old sewer lines and prevent recurrent blockages.
Should you notice gurgling sinks or foul odours, don’t hesitate to call us at our 24/7 plumbing service on 1300 349 338. Prompt action safeguards health and averts irreversible damage. Trust Saint Marys Plumbing, local drainage experts since 1995, to ensure uninterrupted sewage flow in homes and businesses.