Don't suffer the annoyance of blocked drains

Given how much water the average household uses, blocked drains can just about stop it from functioning. But how can you tell when your drains are blocking up, and what action should you take to prevent a bigger problem?

If water is taking longer to go down the plug holes of your sinks and shower, or there are gurgling sounds when the water tries to drain away, it suggests there's a blockage somewhere in your drainage system. These are the milder symptoms – other indications include unpleasant odours and overflow from a grate outside. 

Causes of blocked drains

According to Graham from specialist plumbers Blocks and Bursts, 99 per cent of blocked drains are caused by tree roots. For the drains to work again the roots need to be cut out. Before doing this, the plumber should get a map of the particular drainage system from the local water authority, so he or she can check where the drain is located in the yard. "Armed with this information, we find an access point above ground, put a cable down and simply cut out the roots," says Graham. "[The work] should last about four to seven months – once upon a time it was probably closer to 12 months, but because of the drought, trees are searching harder for water, so roots grow more quickly."

According to Graham, the current lack of elasticity in soil is causing a lot of ground movement, which can cause PVC drainpipes to crack. Fixing these is more complicated. "Because you haven't got a smooth internal wall, the pipe ends don't line up, so it creates a weir and roots get in as well," says Graham. "Usually excavation is required, and it's very hard to cut the roots out."

Fixing blocked drains

Most plumbers will make an attempt to fix blocked drains, and if they get stuck they will call in a specialist. "Specialist equipment is used and, unless you're prepared, you normally need to refer the home owner on to someone who has it," says Graham.

Maintaining drains

As far as maintenance of drains goes, Graham believes in leaving well enough alone if you are not experiencing any of the classic indicators of a blockage. "However, if the property has a history of problems, I'd recommend having [your drains] cleared once every 12 months," he says. "You can also send a camera down to inspect joints that have had problems in the past."