The frequency you hire someone to have your drains cleaned largely depends on what you’re putting down them. Domestic and commercial drains are designed only to deal with liquids like water, so when non-dissolving items like sanitary towels are flushed down the toilet in a bathroom, this is when problems start.
In kitchens, fat and grease washed down the plughole is another primary culprit. Aside from this, anything solid that won’t dissolve in water could cause a blockage. This could be garden debris, plastic wrappers or latex gloves. So, if you don’t want to have to deal with blocked drains as often, our advice is simple – be careful what you put down your drains!
Techniques the Pros Use to Unblock Drains
How drainage engineers fix blocked drains depends on which part of your plumbing system is being affected. Here are the most common problems, along with ways they can be fixed.
Blocked Toilets. Although an engineer might use a range of different equipment to unblock a toilet, one of the most common is the electro-mechanical ‘Sani-snake’ which reaches deep into the pipework and clears the blockage.
Blocked Sinks or Basins. Again, blocked sinks or basins can often be cleared using the ‘sani-snake’ we mentioned above. They are flexible and rotating cables which are inserted down the drain and push the blockage out. With a reach of over twenty meters, they can reach the most difficult of places so are more effective than a typical household solution.
Blocked Bath Drains or Showers. Commonly, homeowners pour chemicals down these drains to attempt to clear the blockage. However, this doesn’t always work. Again, the electro-mechanical snake is the ideal solution here.
Blocked Outdoor Drains. Several highly effective techniques can be used to unblock outdoor drains. The first is high pressure jetting, which breaks up the blockage. Electromechanical snakes can also be used. They have a rotating motor which comes in a range of different attachments that powers through most types of blockages. Drain rods are a more traditional tool which has to be assembled by hand in sections and is then manually worked down the drain. A CCTV survey is another viable option which identifies the blockage.
Wasting Time with Plungers or Supermarket Chemicals? Stop! Hire a Pro – Do the Job Right!
If you’re tired of having to call out a drainage engineer all the time, our advice is simple – be mindful of what you’re putting down your drains!
Perhaps you’ve already tried a household solution, like a plunger, only to discover that it hasn’t worked. Don’t worry. A professional drainage engineer has access to all the right tools to make the job a breeze.
The sani-snake is one of the most common and versatile tools at the drainage engineer’s disposal. However, high-pressure jetting or drainage rods may also be used. CCTV surveys may be necessary if the engineer is unaware of where the blockage is occurring.
