How Blocked Drains Can Lead to Flooding
Sewer line blockages can trigger indoor flash flooding if water and waste cannot escape. Accumulated debris, grease, and tree roots can obstruct pipes, potentially causing significant flooding by hindering water flow. Maintain clear stormwater drains to avoid water pressure build-up, which can lead to overflow and substantial property damage.
Indoor sink and toilet blockages, along with sewer line issues, can cause drain overflow that leads to flooding as water is directed back into your piping. Obstructed stormwater systems can slow drainage and create evacuation issues, causing flooding that affects roads and buildings.
Regular maintenance and cleaning are crucial for clear drains.
Installing protective drain screens can prevent blockages by trapping debris effectively.
Common Causes of Blocked Drains
The most common reasons for blocked drains, which increase the risk of flooding, include:
Buildup of Debris
Regular cleaning can mitigate the build-up of debris like dirt, leaves, hair, and trash in drains. Heavy rain can wash additional debris and potentially contaminated water into your drainage system, resulting in clogged pipes. Suitable covers and frequent cleaning help keep drains clear and guard against excessive build-up.
Intrusive Tree Roots
Invasive tree roots can infiltrate the small cracks and joints where pipes can be vulnerable, which may lead water to escape. The roots find their way and expand, often leading to water entering where it shouldn’t, potentially causing water flow obstruction, cracked drains, and significant property damage. When remedial steps are unclear, tree root cutting, relining, or replacing drain pipes may be necessary to improve water flow.
Improper Drainage Slope/Installation
Poor pipe slopes and installation can cause water pooling and stagnation, leading to water reentering the system instead of flowing freely. This stagnation over time can cause flooding risks as it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria where drains may become seriously obstructed and can lead to major corrosion if left unattended. Professional inspections can thoroughly identify issues caused by blockages in stormwater systems.
Grease and Fat Deposits
Grease, fats, and debris washed down drain pipes or sinks can solidify within the piping systems. Use methods to dispose of food scraps to prevent their addition to fatty deposits, a common reason for restricted water flow in clogged drains. Avoid pouring fats/oils down your sink passages, which can cause blocked pipes, and consider fitting drain screens.
Damaged Pipes
A water leak from a cracked or misaligned drain can lead to burst pipes, allowing roots and debris entry and snag, contributing to obstructions. Assess issues like broken pipes and promptly repair any damage to ensure proper drainage.
Be aware of the harmful effects blocked drains have on your plumbing system and the potential health and safety risks to your family, and call our plumbers for assistance without delay. Get in touch with our plumbers immediately at the initial signs blocked pipes provide, which could signal drains can become hindered by sewer line or drainage problems to protect your property and health before flooding occurs.
Preventing Blocked Drains
Regular Drain Inspections
Annual professional drain inspections are recommended to uncover potential problems before blockages develop. Experts can often identify issues like root intrusion, grease buildup, pipe flaws and improper drainage slope at early stages. Preventive maintenance is key.
Install Protective Drain Screens
Fitting your sink, floor, and outdoor drain covers is a surefire method to capture debris while still enabling the steady flow water through your drainage system. This is a way can prevent leaves, hair, and other materials from impeding water flow through your drains, where they could otherwise snag and cause a clog.
Proper Drainage Procedures
You can avoid more than just pouring fats, oils, and food waste down your drain system - these substances can solidify in your drains pipes, leading to nasty clogs. Only flush human waste and toilet paper; other items like diapers and wipes may cause blockages.
Natural Drain Cleaning Methods
To clean minor clogs in your bathroom sink, pour baking soda followed by hot water to dissolve the grime. However, when happens to be a clogged drain it can necessitate a professional’s touch, especially when severe or persisting blockages cause serious problems.
Professional Drain Cleaning & Repairs
Our licenced technicians have state-of-the-art equipment to clear stubborn obstructions a blocked drain can present. We inspect the entire water system, including the water heater, and repair any damage to prevent future flooding. Contact our expert plumbing and gas drainage team anytime for emergency drain cleaning or scheduled maintenance, which we can perform efficiently.
Fixing Blocked Drains Causing Flooding
If a blocked drain has resulted in flooding your home business, take immediate action and contact a professional emergency plumber to prevent water damage and further issues.
Immediate Steps
If flooding occurs from a blocked drain, prioritise safety and avoid areas with live electrical equipment to prevent electrocution.
Turn off the electricity to mitigate the risk of floodwaters affecting your property’s electrical systems. If you must enter, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves, as water may be hazardous and contaminated. Quickly remove furniture and valuables to protect your floors, walls, and other belongings from water damage.
Drain Clearing Methods
Our professional plumbers use specialised equipment to clear blockages and restore proper water flow:
- Snaking feeds a spinning cable down pipes to disintegrate and eradicate clogs that can become blocked
- High-pressure jetting can also propel water to scour blockages away
- Excavation and manual cleaning may be required for external blockages
- CCTV drain cameras inspect damage and identify problem areas
Permanent Solutions
Once flooding is resolved, further diagnostics should assess how drain blockage might affect your plumbing system and the underlying reasons for these blockages. Repiping, drain replacement/relining, pipe realignment or outdoor drainage upgrades may be recommended based on inspection findings.
Respond quickly to flooding to prevent swift property deterioration. Trust our plumbing service to manage flood damage and perform necessary repairs for dependable drainage.