As plumbers, one of the issues we come across in Melbourne all the time are blocked drains. And trust us, we understand what a nuisance-they can be. There’s the build-up of filthy water, the unpleasant smell, and the possible damage to your property if they overflow or cause a pipe to burst. But there are some steps you can take to prevent blocked drains before you find yourself in trouble. Here’s our guide to the blocked drains Essendon property owners may encounter at home or work.

Start With Prevention

To prevent a problem, it’s good to know what causes it in the first place. Often when plumbers are called to a drainage situation that requires emergency plumbing in Essendon, it’s because something has gone in the drain and become stuck in the pipes. So, it’s important to look at what you’re putting down your drain, or what’s accidentally going down there. Outside drains often get leaves, sticks, and all types of household rubbish. Whether it’s biodegradable or not, when you have that much gone down, it’s bound to get blocked. Fitting a grate over your drain can help. Sweeping up debris will also help keep it out of your drains.

Problems With Indoor Drains

Kitchens are one of the worst places for blocked drains because people tend to wash food scraps, oil and grease down their drains, and over time it congeals and blocks the pipe. There are two simple ways to stop this. Put all the scraps in the bin, and pour unwanted oil into containers, let it cool and then put it in the bin. You can also use a plug hole strainer to catch any food from you washing up before it goes down the drain. And any good plumber in Essendon will also tell you to never flush items like nappies, sanitary pads, and wet wipes down your toilet because these can also lead to blocked drains, and with what goes through your toilet, you really don’t want that problem.

Unblocking Drains Yourself

There are a few methods you can use before calling in a plumber. There are some drain-clearing chemicals you can buy from the supermarket, but you do have to be careful that these aren’t toxic, or you could cause more problems for your drains. There are a couple of things you can use from your kitchen cupboard. Simply mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of vinegar, and pour it down your kitchen sink. This can help to eat away at the dirt and grease. Some people also use a drain snake to dislodge items in their drain, but again, you need to remember this could damage your pipes. The safest way to unblock your pipes is with the help of an experienced plumber.

Leave It To The Professionals – NLK Plumbing Essendon

We mentioned emergency drainage situations earlier. A lot of those could have been avoided if a professional plumber was called in at the first sign of trouble. At NLK Plumbing, we’re experts when it comes to unclogging blocked drains Essendon wide. So if you need a hand, make sure you call or email us first, and we will be happy to help!