Managing drain pipes at home

Ensuring there is some erosion protection for your drain pipes could save an expensive trip from the plumbers. Read how you can keep on top of drain management.

1. Look out for signs of drain blockage

Signs that your drains may be blocked include water not going down plug holes properly, gurgling sounds as the water goes down, overflowing outdoor grates and unpleasant odours.

2. The root problem

Most drain blockages are caused by tree roots, which will need to be cut away by a plumber. It's important to bear in mind that because of the drought, trees are searching more desperately for water, so roots are growing back more quickly. This means that roots might need cutting every four to seven months.

3. Drain pipe erosion

The drought has also caused soil to be less elastic than usual, which can in turn cause PVC pipes to crack. The ends of the pipes become misaligned, creating a weir and allowing roots to get in. In this situation expensive excavation work is often required.

4. Consult with a plumber to check the drain pipes

If your property has a history of drainage problems, it's worth getting a plumber in to check your drains once a year. Otherwise it's best to leave well enough alone, unless you're experiencing any of the common indicators of a blockage.

5. Using drain pipe cameras to find the problem

If there is a particular joint in your drain pipes that has been problematic in the past, it's possible to periodically send a small drain pipe camera down to check what's going on. It's fairly straightforward and a lot cheaper than excavation.

6. Drains in a new home

If you're buying a property, make sure you ask about the drainage system. If it's an older system - many of these used terracotta pipes - it may be on its last legs, and you could be in a situation where you have to spend thousands of dollars to get the system replaced.

To prevent these issues from affecting your drain pipes, consult with a plumber in your area: