Every home has a complex system of pipes that remove waste, sending it into the sewage system that runs under the road and as you would expect, blockages can and do occur. In the event, you experience a blocked drain and you think you can resolve the matter without any help, there are issues with the DIY approach. The first question to ask yourself is, “Do I know where the blockage is?” If the answer is no, sourcing the blockage can be next to impossible, especially with no special equipment; getting past the first step deters most homeowners from trying to unblock the drain.
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Drainage specialist
If you contact a drainage plumber, he has the tools and the know-how to quickly pinpoint the blockage; CCTV cameras on a small buggy allow the plumber to actually get a close-up view of the inner drain surfaces. There are numerous ways to shift a blockage; you can use chemicals, and a long rod, which has always been the go-to solution; the specialist technician makes a decision based on the information he has at the time. He might choose to inject high-pressure water into the drainage system, which usually is enough to move a partial blockage.
Pipe relining
Drainage pipes interconnect via a sleeve and they can get damaged over the years; driving a motorhome onto the driveway can cause drainage pipes to collapse under the weight. This could be a major job, although many drain specialists can reline pipes, which means the affected section does not need to be removed or replaced. The technician uses a special piece of equipment that inserts the pipelining, which is then inflated and left in place. Ground subsidence is a major cause of drainage pipe collapse and pipe relining might not be possible after a major ground movement. A major sign of collapsed drainage pipes is a lush green patch of grass, which a plumber would immediately spot. Here are a few tips to make your bathroom look more lavish.
Power flush
A power flush is typically carried out after a blockage has been removed, which cleans the inner surfaces and that reduces the risk of another blockage. Water is forced through the network at high pressure to remove all obstacles, then the plumber sends down the CCTV buggy to inspect his work.
Resist the temptation for a DIY fix
We don’t recommend a DIY fix for a blocked drain, as this can easily make the situation worse; compounding the blockage is a common occurrence and this could lead to the plumber charging more to fix the problem. Unless you happen to have lots of drain unblocking experience and have all the equipment, we recommend approaching an established plumber to unblock a drain.
Chemicals
Certain types of blockage can be dispersed using caustic soda or other strong chemicals, although we don’t recommend you use chemicals if you don’t know what you are doing. The best way to deal with a drain blockage is to contact the professionals.
