Blocked Drain Clearing

A blocked drain can be smelly and inconvenient. Absolute Plumbing offers blocked drain clearing services using either manual drain cleaning rods or an electric drain cleaning machine. With our machines we can pinpoint the exact location of the blockage and we can repair the blockage so that it will never occur again. Whether you have a blocked toilet, basin, shower waste or drain grate, or you have a sewer or stormwater blockage, our plumbers are experienced and can quickly unblock any blocked drain.

Detecting blocked drains

Is your drain blocked? Early detection of a blocked drain can drastically reduce the work involved for a plumber to unblock and clear it, saving you money. Signs to look and listen for include a gurgling or gulping sound (often accompanied by a smelly drain grate) coming from the floor waste or toilet when water is in use. Another sign of a blocked drain is the water level in the toilet rising above or falling below normal levels, and/or the drain outside the house overflowing, especially after the washing machine has been in use. The floor waste overflowing during a shower may also indicate a blockage. If you do suspect that you have a partially blocked drain it is best to call in a plumber to clear it as soon as possible.

Preventing blocked drains

Tree roots are the most common cause of blocked drains in New Zealand. Especially in the hottest months of summer, trees will be thirsty for water and will be drawn to the condensation that forms on the outside of pipes. These roots will eventually break through and gradually cause a stormwater or sewer blockage. When Absolute Plumbing plumbers clear a blocked drain we try to identify for the customer which trees are most likely to be causing the problem. As a general rule trees and plants should be planted as far away as possible from sewer and stormwater drainage lines.

It is also important to be careful what you put down your sinks. Fat and grease will stick to the inside of drains and should never be disposed of down the sink. Large amounts of hair can cause clogged or blocked drains and should be prevented from going down your shower waste or vanity basin. Excessive loo paper is a common cause of a blocked toilet. Cement or plaster from DIY repairs will also prevent water flowing smoothly through your sewer and may cause a blocked drain.