Your home or business has multiple drainage pipes connected to sewer and stormwater systems, most of which are out of sight and easy to overlook. Without regular maintenance, small issues can quickly turn into major disruptions, affecting essential fixtures like toilets, sinks and showers. Routine drain cleaning helps prevent blockages, reduce odours and keep your drainage system functioning efficiently. It can also extend the lifespan of your pipes and minimise the risk of costly repairs.
The Two Main Types of Drains
Sewer Drains
The plumbing fixtures in your building lead to the sewer drain system. These include toilets, showers, baths, sinks, washing machines and floor drains. Flowing through the sewer drains of your property, the sewage waste will flow into larger council sewer mains. These large pipes take the waste to a sewage treatment plant where harmful materials are removed, and the treated water is released into local waterways.
In the case of remote areas, household sewer waste may be connected to a septic system, which is located on the property. A septic tank is a watertight vessel buried in the ground that collects household sewage. Heavy solids settle to the bottom of the tank, while lighter solids and greases will float to the top. Bacteria naturally breakdown the wastewater before the effluent is disposed of via sub-surface irrigation or trenches.
Storm Water Drains
Storm water is the water that runs off a site from rain that falls, whether onto the roof and then through gutters and downpipes, or through ground drains and sumps. The water flows through the storm water pipes to the street curb or a storm water main.
Storm water runs directly from our properties to local water catchments like rivers and creeks without being treated, so it is critical that you are mindful of what is going into storm water drains - think fertilisers, rubbish and other toxins.
Drain Cleaning Processes
Do not neglect drain cleaning of your sewer and blocked drains of stormwater and things should run well for years to come. As mentioned, all sorts of debris can find its way into your drains, such as soap and grease, food waste, hair, toilet waste, leaves, soil and chemicals.
All this can easily build up over time and result in a blockage. It isn’t only debris from your sinks and toilets that create blockages, as tree roots can also invade pipes and clog them, especially if the pipes are already cracked.
We can help to regularly clean out drains and pipes to prevent blockages. The Drain Man is a specialised drain cleaning service with a qualified team and specialised equipment. We can be scheduled to quickly and easily clean pipes using high-pressure drain jetting and CCTV cameras to inspect the inside of your pipes. There is no digging required and it won’t cost you a fortune.
Unclog a Drain Yourself
If you have a minor blockage, you may be able to clean sink drains or toilets yourself. If the blockage is visible, you may be able to simply remove the debris by unscrewing the plughole cover or entering the pipes under your basin.
Pouring boiling water down sinks and toilet bowls can also help, as can natural cleaners such as bicarb soda and white vinegar. There are also plungers and caustic cleaners available at your hardware store if you need a tougher drain unblocker.
When is Drain Cleaning Not Enough?
While drain cleaning is effective for removing blockages caused by debris, grease or build-up, it may not always resolve the underlying issue.
In some cases, recurring blockages can be caused by:
- Tree root intrusion inside the pipe like seen in older homes in Geelong
- Cracked or collapsed pipes
- Structural damage to the drainage system
In these situations, cleaning the drain may provide temporary relief, but the problem is likely to return.
A proper inspection using CCTV equipment can help identify the root cause and determine whether a longer-term solution, such as drain relining, is required.
Where do we come in?
It is common sense that having your drains cleaned, whether you have a blockage or not, is a smart idea. If you engage our drain cleaning service, we will inspect your drains as part of the process. The high tech camera footage we obtain will show any damage to the pipes and in these instances you will be advised about our pipe relining.
Once the drains have been cleaned, a special drain liner is prepared to exact length and configuration of the existing pipe. A unique resin is applied to it and it is pulled through the pipe and manipulated into place. Finally, the liner is inflated and held in place until it cures.
The Drain Man services areas throughout Victoria and New South Wales offering drain cleaning and pipe relining to many satisfied customers. Pipe relining is safe, has excellent results and your pipes will be even stronger than the originals. This process is particularly effective if you find you need to clean out drains frequently, from invasive tree roots for example.
The Drain Man is available for all your residential and commercial drain needs and we are ready for a free no obligation chat. Call us or contact us online with any questions you have or to request a quote.
If you have any questions about pipeline inspections, drain clearing or pipe relining at your premises, contact our friendly team. We’ll be happy to help in any way we can.
Drains relined by TDM carry a Lifetime Warranty.
