Do you hear a “gulping” noise from your drains? Does your sink pool water instead of letting it go down the drain? Is your toilet paying you back for all the nasty things you’ve flushed down it? If you answer “yes” to any of these, then you have a blocked sewer. In Melbourne, if the blockage is in the main sewer line, then the city takes care of it since it’s a public menace. If the blockage is in your private line, then it’s your responsibility. If you’re not sure where the blockage is, ask your neighbours if they’re also experiencing sewer backup. If they don’t, then the problem is yours alone to contend with. In case of a blocked sewer emergency, call us straight away any time of day. We are available 24 hours a day.
What could you have done or been doing to deserve this gross fate? Actually, sewer backup can happen to the best of us, even those who’ve been very careful. It’s just more likely to happen if you do any of the following:
– What are some of these? Disposable diapers, tampons and sanitary pads, kitty litter, as well as oil and grease. None of these should go down the toilet. Put them in the trash to dispose of them.
– These come from bacon, burgers, mayonnaise, butter, and cooking oil. What makes them even more troublesome is that they solidify about 25 feet into your sewage line, the point where the hot water that goes down the drain cools off. Clearing more than 10 feet of a pipe is definitely a job for a pro with the right know-how and tools. What else shouldn’t you allow to go down your drain? Coffee grinds, egg shells, and orange peels are known blockage culprits as well.
– When roots get big enough, they can get inside pipes and form root balls that block your sewer. There are products you can use to get rid of the root, but the chemicals in them will also kill the plant.
If you live in an older home, it’s possible that your pipes have deteriorated. If this is the case, they can corrode, break and cause a block for the system. If you suspect that your pipes are old, you may want to address the issue before any problem occurs. Call your plumber to see how you can go about replacing your pipes.
In any case, a blocked sewer in Melbourne is cause to call a plumber. It’s best to let the pros handle it as a DIY effort could backfire and worsen the problem in the most disgusting way.