Sydney Plumbing: How can I tell if I have a blocked pipe or drain and how do I fix it?

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You may be able to quickly spot and fix a leaky tap, but for more difficult plumbing matters it’s always good to seek the advice of an expert. Why? First of all, it’s a legal matter – only licensed plumbers should be plumbing. Second of all, by getting a reliable plumber, you know that you will be getting a quality job with long lasting effects.

Some issues may fly over your head – especially the ones that are less visible, such as drain or sewer issues. These issues may include:

• Pipe corrosion
• Tree root penetration
• Leaking joints
• Misaligned joints
• Broken pipes
• Voids in pipes
• Punctures in pipes

How can you tell if any of the above issues have occurred?

• Standing water: if there are puddles of water around where the sewer pipe from your home meets with the city’s sewer system. If there are any soft spots around the yard in the vicinity of the sewer pipe and there hasn’t been a rain in a few days, that may also be another indication of a break.
• Smells like sewage: If it smells like sewage, it probably is sewage – coming out of a broken pipe.
• Sitting around: if water is coming back into your tub or shower or you find that water isn’t draining from your sinks, this is another sign your pipes are blocked. Listen for the sounds of drains gurgling or observe if there are bubbles coming up in your toilet – these are additional signs of clogged pipes.
• Flush it: if you find that the water bowl of your toilet does not fill to its original state after flushing it, that is a sign of a sewer pipe blockage.

Be wary of companies that will quote on an unseen pipe relining site. You could be in for a surprise when you’ve already committed your hard-earned money! A reliable company will require detailed knowledge about the pipe, as well as a CCTV survey, before they provide a quote.

Replacing piping instead of opting for relining can be costly before, during and after the project is over due to the time taken, digging with excavators and rubbish removal. By opting for pipe relining instead, you will save time, effort and money repairing the problem and obtain the same results.

Another issue to consider when you replace piping instead of relining it is the presence of bacteria, which are present in waste products in sewage lines. You may be exposed to bacteria if you choose to excavate, posing a serious health risk.

If you’re looking for a professional pipe reliner in Sydney, call GF James for more information on (02) 8488 8778.

Liked this post? Check out our post on how pipe relining happens here: https://www.gfjamesplumbing.com.au/blog/pipe-relining-articles/how-does-pipe-relining-work