Blocked drains? We repair and replace pipes and connectors

Licenced plumbers and gas fitters like us can clear blocked drains and make emergency repairs if required. Just give us a call and we can:

• Sort out your blocked or leaking storm-water pipe and drains
• Organise and work with professional CCTV drainage inspection and clearing service providers
• Use jet flushing equipment to clear blocked drains.

For anything else drain-related you need a drain-layer. We know some great drain-layers, so just ask us and we’ll put you in touch.

How can you avoid blocking drains and toilets?

This might seem obvious but we’re going to say it anyway.

• Don’t flush sanitary items, wet wipes or nappies down your toilet. You might get away with it once or twice, but it won’t be long before one of them sticks.
• Do flush number ones, number twos and toilet paper – that’s all!

Case history – Tree root damage

A family of four had a badly blocked drain. We can usually clear blockages using a hand plunger or a drainage rod, but this one just wasn’t moving. It was time to call in some of our trusted sub-trades for help.

A special CCTV camera went down the drain. The video feed showed the cause of the blockage – a major root intrusion from a nearby native hardwood tree. Now we could use location detecting equipment to map the drain, and precisely locate the issue.

Working with a drain-layer, we dug up exactly the right piece of ground to expose the affected drain pipes. The drain-layer removed the damaged section and then laid new drain pipes in its place.

Next we tested the drain for leaks, and then used the CCTV Camera to inspect the entire drain again, right up to where it connected with Council infrastructure. Only then did we call the job done!

The drain works perfectly now. The client also has a detailed plan of where their drain runs, and at what depth it has been laid. Problem solved.

Drain maintenance tips from the pros

Use your ears: Listen to your drains when they’re in use. What do you hear? If your drains are bubbling or gurgling, that’s not good. Get them checked out for near-blockages before the bubbling stops!

Use your nose: Is there a funny smell? If there is, your drains could be building up a blockage or not draining properly somewhere. Get them checked.

Check your gully trap: Does it smell bad? Your gully trap’s job is to keep bad smells away. If it’s not doing its job there could be trouble on the way. Get it checked out.

Can you see any signs of toilet paper around the gully trap? If yes, it can indicate that water is backing up, overflowing and leaving bits of toilet paper behind. Get it checked out.

Regular inspections: Schedule a CCTV camera drain inspection every year or two. It’s faster, easier and cheaper to fix problems before they show up above ground.

Root maintenance: You can get roots cleared from your drains but if the tree is still there, the roots will grow back. Schedule regular drain maintenance to keep the roots under control.

Ideally, locate trees and drains well away from each other.

Coffee grinds: Don’t pour your used coffee grinds down the sink where they can block your drains. Put them on the garden or in the compost heap instead.

Plan to replace old drains: Old earthenware drains may need to be replaced when they are around 50 years old. Replacement can be required sooner, depending on how much the surrounding earth has moved, and whether there has been any root intrusion.

Plan for drain inspection openings: If you build a concrete driveway over a drain, be sure that the new driveway includes drain inspection openings in accessible locations.