Salmon Plumbing Guarantee to ARRIVE ON TIME to your scheduled appointment.
In the rare instance that your plumber has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we promise to give you a MINIMUM 30-minutes notice of ANY change in arrival time and will offer to reschedule, if that’s more convenient for you
If we don’t give you at least 30 minutes notice in advance, we will happily give you a FREE Hour of Service on your plumbing job.
This offer is not to be used with any other offer.
Does not apply to quoted jobs.
Discounts will not be applied to overdue amounts.
Deposits
Deposits are not refundable however partial or total refunds of deposits may be made at the sole discretion of Salmon Plumbing.
Cancellations
Salmon Plumbing reserve the right to charge for lost time as a result of cancellations and or postponement made less than 2 business days from the scheduled appointment time.
Warranties
Salmon Plumbing offers a 6 and half year warranty as per the Queensland Building & Construction Commission (QBCC).
Updated 2024 by John Salmon. Flood prevention is a hot topic in Brisbane. Summer is our wet season in Queensland and spring is the ideal time to check the external plumbing around your home. No one wants a moat around their house when the storms and rains inevitably hit. Proper backyard drainage is key to preventing water inundation inside your home, but the process starts with your roof!
Here are some checks and maintenance tips you can do around your house to ensure the water flows where it needs to go.
1. Clean your roof and remove debris
The roof is the largest surface area of your home, and it’s the first surface to be hit by rain. Ensure your roof is clean and debris-free so that when the rain does hit, it doesn’t wash accumulated debris through your gutters or downpipes, causing a blockage.
2. Empty gutters of leaf debris
Cleaning your gutters is step one in flood prevention. Crack out the ladder every spring and spend a Saturday making sure there is no leaf litter preventing the water from flowing through each channel to the stormwater drains. Leaf matter can break down and congest downpipes. This can cause a back-up of water when it storms or rains, and this water has nowhere to go except overflow the edges of the gutters, falling around the house often causing an external flood.
3. Inspect rusty gutters and down pipes and ensure correct fall
Every spring, your gutters and down pipes should be inspected for rust and openings which can cause a water to fall through, instead of being directed away from the home through the existing storm water drainage. Have rusty gutters and downpipes replaced as soon as possible to avoid the drama of an external flood during storm season.
Also ask your trusted Brisbane plumber to check for backfall of gutters. The correct fall ensures the water flows towards the downpipes, not away from them.
4. Flood prevention and stormwater grates
Often significant rain events can wash sand and dirt down storm water grates. This needs to be emptied to ensure a free channel of water to flow through when the next rain event hits. Click here to read more about storm water.
5. Ask your plumber to calculate the right number of downpipes for your roof surface area
Some houses just don’t have enough downpipes to meet the capacity of water fall from the surface area of their roof. Moving water from your guttering and is key to flood prevention at home, and usually where the process comes unstuck. If you think this is a problem at your property, call Salmon Plumbing out to investigate and offer a solution. This could be an opportunity to add a rainwater tank or two to be prepared for drought. If you’ve got an ageing rainwater tank, have your plumber inspect it for signs of cracking and decay. Upgrading a rainwater tank isn’t too expensive or difficult.
6. Flood prevention means the correct-sized stormwater pipes underground
Most stormwater pipes underground around houses are 90mm PVC. Often this pipe is not big enough for the amount of water that flows through the down pipes. Upgrading these pipes can help prevent a moat situation around your house during a heavy rain event. Of course, making sure you have no issues with blocked drains is vital too! If you suspect you may have a blockage anywhere in your drainage system, call us out stat. The next big storm could be brewing.
Keeping gardens maintained and away from
storm water grates ensures water can flow to where it needs to go when it
matters most.
The external plumbing to your home is
vitally important to prevent floods around your house. External floods can
cause damage inside your house, by seeping through window and door openings. It’s
an inconvenience that can be avoided with the right storm water drainage around
your home.
Another health concern to be aware of is any type of pooling of water in gutters and around the home can also attract mosquitoes. The pools of water offer mozzies the the perfect spot to breed. This is a health concern as mosquitoes can spread the Zika Virus and Ross River Fever. Ensuring adequate storm water drainage can prevent mozzies making a home at your home. Flood prevention isn’t just about potential damage to your property, it’s about keeping your family safe this storm season.
If you have a storm water blockage or have
concerns about how rain water is channeled away from your home, give Salmon Plumbing a call. Our plumbers
can offer solutions so you’re better prepared when the wet weather hits this
summer.
When it comes to stormwater drainage, Brisbane can be a tricky place to get it right. For example, plenty of homes in inner city suburbs have no stormwater access on their block. However, all properties must now connect to a ‘lawful point of discharge’ such as an authorised council stormwater drain or road. But what if your stormwater access point is on your neighbour’s land? Well, then you’re talking about an easement.
Sound complicated enough yet? Want to outsource it to the experts?
The Salmon Plumbing team are the drainage plumbers Brisbane trusts to keep them safe this storm season. We can help you develop and install an effective roofwater drainage system for your home. Here’s what you need to know when planning your stormwater drainage project.
Why stormwater drainage in Brisbane is crucial
We live in a sub-tropical environment, and that means plenty of rain. If you have an inadequate plumbing system in place, any downpour can lead to a potential disaster for your property. Brisbane’s history of flooding exacerbates this risk. The 2022 Queensland floods brought intense, record-breaking rainfall that quickly inundated homes, leaving an estimated damage bill of $2.22 billion.
The quicker you can remove excess water from your property, the lower your risk of long-term water damage to your home. Ideally, your stormwater drainage system should remove rainwater from your roof, gutters, and garden so that it is directed into stormwater drains, or other appropriate outlets or storage areas.
The environmental impacts of poorly managed stormwater drainage can be really serious, too. In Australia, the stormwater system is separate from the sewer system. While raw sewage is treated before it ends up in our waterways, stormwater typically isn’t. All manner of pollutants can end up in our rivers and oceans including soil and other organic matter, garden fertilisers, and even the car oil residue that washes off your driveway.
What happens if roofwater drainage is inadequate?
As a result of Brisbane’s climate and topography, issues with stormwater runoff can be a common problem for residents. Flood prevention means looking beyond your property line. If you don’t get your stormwater drainage sorted, you’re unlikely to be popular with the neighbours or your local council!
Some of the serious problems we see caused by poor rainwater drainage design include:
Damage to roof structures, timbers and other building materials
Issues with attracting unwanted termites
Flooding to areas around the home and into neighbouring properties
Erosion under slabs, foundations and gardens
Who should carry out a major stormwater drainage project?
Whether you’re building a new home or having stormwater drainage issues at an existing dwelling, your first step should be to engage a licensed plumber to review your block. It’s a plumber’s job to design a stormwater drainage system for your home that prevents flooding and stops contaminants from entering stormwater catchment systems.
What’s considered when designing a stormwater drainage system?
When designing an effective stormwater system for your Brisbane property, your plumber will consider a range of important factors.
Water Sources
Stormwater can be collected from several sources:
Roofwater: Your roof size, the level of rainfall in your region, and the size of your gutter/downpipes are all factors that affect how roofwater needs to be managed.
Surface water: This is water that travels over your entire block. To manage surface water, the specific types of surfaces and the contour and fall of the ground surface need to be considered.
Your home’s flood risk
Brisbane stormwater drainage plans must consider the flood risk that comes with life in a sub-tropical climate.
The Queensland Government has developed the Floodcheck interactive map that lets you view historic floodlines, the likely extent of floodplains, and other relevant flood data and technical reports. You can search by address, lot/plan, town, and local government areas.
Water conservation and harvesting
When developing a stormwater drainage system, it makes sense to consider how roofwater can be harvested for use on your property. By installing a system that utilises roofwater for watering the garden, you are likely to notice a decrease in your water bills, too. If your rainwater tank installation is over ten years old, ask Salmon, the plumbers Brisbane trust, to check it over, and if necessary upgrade your old rainwater tank in time for storm season.
Council approvals
The Brisbane City Council does not maintain private stormwater lines. This includes your home’s connection to the kerb and channel via a kerb adaptor or the connection to an existing council stormwater pipe or manhole.
For houses built after 1975, the council requires stormwater to be managed in an approved manner (e.g. directed to council stormwater mains, kerb and channel). You’ll need to submit an application/notice to work on council property to connect stormwater or roofwater pipes from a residential or commercial development to any of the following:
kerb and channel
open drain
swale
enclosed drainage
stormwater gully
culvert
Council stormwater drainage infrastructure may be in the street, on private property, or in dedicated drainage easements. You can purchase copies of the Brisbane City Council’s stormwater drainage plans to assist with the development of your system. However, this is another resource a licensed and experienced plumber will already have access to.
Rubble pits
If your home was built before 1975, you might have a rubble pit or shallow trench filled with rocks through which the stormwater drains. Unless you carry out a reconfiguration of your land (subdivision, significant building or renovating), these pits are still considered a ‘lawful point of discharge’ if the ability to direct the stormwater straight to council stormwater drains was not available for the original build.
Common mistakes to avoid when planning Brisbane stormwater drainage
Unfortunately, stormwater drainage is not effectively regulated in Queensland. There are many cases of people taking the DIY route with catastrophic outcomes.
Ineffective roofwater drainage can be due to a number of factors. The most common issues we see include:
Undersized pipework
Running of discharge to undersized rubble pits
Lack of fall or backfall
Undersized in-ground stormwater sumps
Non-existent or poor waterproofing of retaining walls
Undersizing of spoon drains and grated drains
Lack of maintenance of stormwater systems
The consequences of inadequate stormwater drainage range from expensive to catastrophic so think twice about DIY! For ultimate peace of mind, call in the experts.
Fixing an existing stormwater drainage issue
At Salmon Plumbing, we use high-pressure drain cleaning equipment that can quickly and effectively clear stormwater systems and get them flowing to help prevent expensive flooding and damage to your property. While we are on site, we can look over your existing roofwater drainage plan and advise on how it can be improved.
If you need expert assistance with your stormwater drainage, Brisbane specialists Salmon Plumbing should be your first call. Get in touch today!
Updated 2024 by John Salmon. When winter rolls around, bring on the hot chips and gravy. Bring on all the carb-rich comfort foods like roasts, soups and casseroles. Anything to keep your belly full and hands warm while embracing all the comforts winter draws us to. Unfortunately, these foods can also cause blocked drains. A kitchen sink blockage caused by congealed fat needs to be dealt with urgently as it will likely trap additional debris and get out of hand fast. It’s not just winter, kitchen sink blockages can happen at any time, but the grossest one? Let’s talk Fatbergs.
Common kitchen sink blockage
Oils and fats rinsed down the kitchen sink drain are notorious for causing kitchen sink blockages. It can happen all year round but in winter, as your pipes are cold, the fats congeal and form solid clumps, or as Queensland Urban Utilities likes to call them Fatbergs. These solid masses of fat will block your drains and grab passing debris to create all kinds of problems, in your kitchen sink, your pipes and eventually in sewers.
How to avoid kitchen sink blockages caused by fatbergs
It’s sacrilege to leave gravy on a plate, but some people are just heathens. If you’ve got oil, fats, or gravy to dispose of, don’t wash them down the sink. Here’s a few good habits to avoid a fatberg kitchen sink blockage:
Allow the fats to cool and solidify then scrape them into the bin.
When rinsing roasting trays or plates with oil slicks or excess sauces and gravy, immediately turn the hot water tap on to ‘flush’ away the oils from the trap.
For extra measure, boil the kettle and pour boiling hot water down the kitchen sink to ensure the breakdown of the fats and oils.
A small squirt of dishwashing liquid down the drain and a full bowl of water drained down the sink will disperse the oils in the pipes, which will prevent blockage.
Oil is just the tip of the Fatberg
Not going to lie, I like saying fatberg. For are we not all fatbergs in winter to some extent? Grease is just one cause of a blocked kitchen sink. And it can just be the start of a much bigger problem. Once a fatberg forms, it can catch other “stuff” causing a bigger problem, fast. What else could be causing a kitchen sink blockage?
Soap Scum. A build up of dried soap scum, usually from hand soap can cause kitchen sink blockages. Run hot water down your sink regularly to avoid material drying in the pipes.
Food Scraps and Coffee Grounds. Yes, we’ve all been guilty of flushing a few coffee grounds down the sink. It’s hard to make good choices before you’ve had coffee. Fit a “waste trap” in the sink’s drain to catch all those bits and pieces that can cause blockages.
Dishwasher and Garbage Disposal Problems. If your dishwasher is draining food matter into the kitchen sink drain, or you’re overlading your garbage disposal, you could be inadvertently causing blockages. Regularly clean your dishwasher, make sure the food trap is in place. Keep your garbage disposal system well maintained and avoid overloading it as it will let larger particles into the drain pipe.
Children. Look, it seems a bit mean to say but the number of times we’ve been called out to a kitchen sink blockage caused by…. nerf bullets, Barbie doll parts, those little balls that swell up in water (WHY) – first step in a sudden and unexpected kitchen sink blockage is to ask the little darlings if they’ve been up to no good!
Flash flooding or backed up pipes. Sometimes a blockage isn’t a blockage. When your drainage system is overwhelmed from another source, it may appear that your kitchen sink has a blockage when actually there’s just nowhere for the water to go. If you notice a bad smell, gurgling or slow drainage in your kitchen sink, that comes on suddenly, during a weather incident – you may need an emergency plumber.
DIY tricks on clearing your blocked sink
There are a few DIY tricks that can break
up a blocked kitchen sink.
Sprinkle bi-carb soda and pour hot vinegar (microwave for 1 minute) down the drain.
Use a household plunger to loosen the blockage
Undo the sink trap and pour the water into the sink with the plugin. Ensure the trap is free of food blockages.
Pour a household drain cleaner down the sink. These are readily available from your local hardware or grocery store. Do try the natural remedies before going down the chemical aisle.
If none of these remedies removes the blockage, it’s time to call your local Brisbane plumber. A drain cleaning machine or an electric eel may need to be used to blast away the kitchen sink blockage. Salmon Plumbing is experienced in types of blockages. Contact the team to get your kitchen sink unblocked today.
Picture this: you’re having a relaxed Sunday morning, the sun is shining, and the coffee is brewing. Suddenly, reality hits like a ton of…well, you know. The tranquillity is shattered by the dreaded gurgle of a blocked toilet, and guess who’s been bestowed with the honour of unclogging it? Yep, you guessed it: you, the unsuspecting hero of your very own domestic disaster movie.
Welcome to the glamorous world of DIY plumbing where we’re going to teach you how to unblock a toilet. Grab your cape (or maybe just a pair of rubber gloves) because it’s time to embark on the noble quest of unblocking your porcelain palace.
Steps to fix a blocked toilet
Unclogging a toilet is like a game of plumbing roulette – you never know what’s going to come out on top. We have found that navigating a blocked toilet disaster requires a blend of resourcefulness, patience, and a touch of humour. Here’s your survival guide:
1. Assess The Situation
Before diving in (figuratively, not literally), assess the severity of the blockage. Is it a minor clog or a full-blown plumbing apocalypse?
Observe the water level: Look at the water level in the bowl. If it’s unusually high or overflowing, you likely have a blockage. If the water level is normal but drains slowly, there might still be a partial blockage.
Check for signs of overflow: Look around the base of the blocked toilet for any signs of water pooling or seepage. Overflowing water can cause damage to the surrounding floor, so it’s important to address the issue promptly.
Listen for gurgling noises: If you hear gurgling sounds coming from the clogged toilet or the plumbing system when you flush, it could indicate a blockage further down the drain pipe.
Inspect the flush: Flush the toilet and observe how the water behaves. If it rises to the rim and doesn’t drain away properly, there’s likely a blockage preventing proper flow.
Assess the cause: Consider what might have caused the blockage. Common culprits include excess toilet paper, sanitary products, or foreign objects such as toys accidentally flushed down the toilet.
Consider previous issues: If this isn’t the first time your toilet has been blocked, it might indicate an underlying issue like invasive tree roots or a broken or collapsed drain.
2. Gather Your Tools
Arm yourself with the holy trinity of toilet unclogging: rubber gloves, a plunger and a sense of determination.
3. Plunge Away
Start with the trusty plunger. Use it vigorously, making sure to create a tight seal around the drain. Remember, it’s all about the push and pull.
4. Chemical Warfare (if necessary)
If plunging fails, consider employing chemical drain cleaners. Proceed with caution and follow the instructions meticulously to avoid turning your bathroom into a toxic wasteland and risking chemical poisoning.
5. Know When To Retreat From the Toilet Blockage
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the toilet remains stubbornly clogged. It’s important to know when to throw in the towel (preferably not the one you’ve been using) and call in professional reinforcements who have been trained on how to unblock a toilet.
A note about the hazards of unblocking toilets
Unblocking a toilet can be messy! Raw sewerage is bad for your health. On contact with your skin it can cause infections, and breathing in aerosolised sewage can cause lung disease and other illnesses. Accidental ingestion can cause all kinds of health dramas, including gastrointestinal upsets at a bare minimum (just what you DO NOT need when you have a blocked loo). Commercial-grade disinfectant should always be used to clean up after dealing with raw sewerage.
Entering the drain is licensed plumbing work. This means that the use of any implement inside the drain by anyone other than a licensed plumber is illegal and must only be done by a licensed plumber.
Putting anything down the toilet could break your toilet suite. Do not put any mechanical drain cleaning device such as a drain snake in the toilet pan. Best practice is to remove the toilet suite first to avoid damage.
Mechanical drain cleaners should only ever be operated by a trained professional such as a licensed plumber. Mechanical drain cleaners can be dangerous and incorrect usage can result in significant injuries and property damage.
What if the clogged toilet returns?
If this isn’t the first time your toilet has been blocked, or your efforts to clear the blockage are unsuccessful, it’s best to call a licensed plumber. We have the expertise and equipment to diagnose and resolve the problem safely and effectively.
A blocked toilet might indicate an underlying issue such as tree root intrusion in the sewer line or improper installation. Our team are seasoned pros. We’ve seen some… stuff. From toilet leaks to blockages, cistern repairs to full toilet suite replacement, toilets and taps are our bread and butter.
Remember, you’re not the first person to face a blocked toilet, and you certainly won’t be the last. Embrace the absurdity of the situation and take solace in the fact that this too shall pass (pun intended). The longer you leave it, the more complex the job. Calling in a Salmon Plumber now will save you big time.
Got a blocked Crapper? Call in the Snapper. Contact Salmon Plumbing today.
A blocked drain has appeared at your home, and you think “how hard can DIY drain cleaning be?” Hours later you’re elbow deep in foul smelling gunk, and you are still no closer to diagnosing the issue let alone fixing the problem. Simply dropping a tub of Drano down a blocked drain or wiggling a coat hanger around until the blockage passes, may give you a quick fix but it is likely you have just pushed the blockage further down the pipe, potentially creating an even bigger issue! Cleaning a drain is no joke and here is why getting the help of a professional is worth your time and money.
DIY Drain Cleaning: The Risks
When a blockage occurs, there are many risks to you and your home if the issue is not handled professionally including:
Chemical damage: Many DIY drain cleaning solutions contain harsh chemicals that can damage pipes, especially if used incorrectly or in excessive amounts. These chemicals can corrode pipes, causing pipes to leak or even burst. Additionally, chemical drain cleaners can be hazardous if they come into contact with skin, eyes, or mucous membranes, leading to burns or other injuries.
Incomplete blockage removal: DIY methods such as using a plunger or a drain snake may not always completely remove blockages, especially if the blockage is extensive or located deep within the pipes. This can lead to recurring clogs and backups, requiring repeated attempts to clear the blockage or necessitating professional intervention.
Pipe and fixture damage: Improper use of tools or excessive force when attempting to clear a blockage can damage pipes, fittings, fixtures, or other plumbing components.
Worsening of the problem: In some cases, DIY drain cleaning attempts can actually worsen the problem rather than solve it. For example, using a drain snake or auger incorrectly can push the blockage further down the pipe or compact it, making it more difficult to remove. This can exacerbate the issue and result in more extensive repairs being needed.
Environmental impact: Improper disposal of chemical drain cleaners or other DIY drain cleaning products can harm the environment. These chemicals can contaminate groundwater or surface water, posing risks to aquatic life and ecosystems.
To prevent blockages, it is essential to avoid flushing non-biodegradable items down toilets, use drain covers to catch hair and debris, dispose of grease and fat properly, and periodically inspect and maintain your plumbing system. Regular maintenance can help identify and address potential issues before they escalate into major blockages or pipe failures.
PLUMBERS TIP:
Regularly running very hot water down the sink will help break down fat residues and assist in keeping the drains clear. An added benefit of frequent hot water flushing is a reduction in the likelihood of smelly drains stinking up your house.
How Does a Plumber Fix a Blocked Drain?
Once the blockage is located, a plumber will choose the appropriate method to clear it. Common techniques include:
Using a plumber’s snake or drain auger to physically break up and remove the blockage. This involves inserting a flexible cable into the pipe and rotating it to dislodge the obstruction.
Employing hydro-jetting, which uses high-pressure water to flush out clogs and debris from the inside of the pipes. Hydro-jetting is particularly effective for stubborn blockages and for cleaning the interior of the pipes.
Using specialised tools or equipment to remove specific types of blockages, such as root cutting tools for tree root intrusion or descaling equipment for mineral buildup.
Prevent a DIY Pipe Cleaning Disaster
To avoid DIY drain cleaning disasters, it is often best to leave the job to a professional plumber who has the expertise, experience, and proper tools to safely and effectively clear blockages without causing damage to your plumbing system or property. If you encounter a stubborn or recurring drain clog, it’s advisable to seek professional help rather than attempting DIY solutions that could potentially make the problem worse.
For the best advice on pipes and drainage, you can rely on the Salmon Plumbing team. From blocked drains and burst pipes to roof leaks and emergencies, we can meet your plumbing needs – day or night.
Is your bathroom still emitting pungent odours hours after your partner sat on the porcelain throne doing the daily Wordle puzzle? Have you tried multiple air fresheners only to return later to have the smell punch you in the face once again?
Before completely overhauling your partner’s diet or investing in expensive gut cleansing powders, consider whether the bathroom smells are coming from your pipes, rather than your partner. Chances are they are also getting a nose full of the smelly drains, and maybe even thinking it’s you!
DIY Fixes for Bathroom Smells and Smelly Drains
Sometimes stinky plumbing smells need to be dealt with by a plumbing professional. But the good news is there are a few things you can try first.
Fill the P-Trap
The first place to start is with the p-trap – this is a U-shaped pipe found underneath the basins, baths and showers (not the fluffy rug your nan used to put around the base of the toilet!) When it is filled with water, as it should be, the p-trap acts as a barrier that prevents gases from your sewer system rising up through the pipes into your home. If you have a bathroom where fixtures haven’t been used for some time, the water may have evaporated. In this case, simply running the tap to refill the p-trap may be all you need to do.
Check for Leaks in the P-trap
If you still have smelly drains even after running water down them, checking your p-trap for leaks is the next step in getting to the bottom of the issue. Even a small leak in the U-shaped pipe can be enough to let the potent gases sneak up through your system. This is something you may be able to replace and fit yourself. However, if you have any concerns, or lack the necessary tools for the job, calling a plumber is the best course of action.
Check the Sink for Blockages
It’s gross to think about, but all the things that go down your sink drain other than water (such as hair, toothpaste, soap, or food remnants) can cause a blockage in the pipes that takes on a life of its own and begins to stink!
In cases where the build-up is mild, pouring a cup of baking powder followed by a cup of white vinegar into your sink or shower drain and leaving for 10-15 minutes before running the hot water may be enough to clear the clog in the pipes and deodorise drains. You can also try unclogging the drain yourself with a plunger.
However, in more extreme circumstances, a plumber may use a drain snake or high-pressure hydro-jet to unblock the pipes.
Ignoring a blocked drain and hoping it’ll just go away can quickly turn into a costly mistake. So if these DIY methods don’t work, get your plumber on the phone!
Is the Smell Coming from the Toilet Rather than the Drains?
Are you struggling to keep a lid on the smell coming from your toilet? Smelly bathrooms aren’t always down to smelly drains or your honey spending too long on the dunny.
There are several reasons why your toilet might be the source of the foul smell.
Just like with the p-trap under your sink, the water in the toilet acts as a barrier to stop sewage gases from entering your home. If your toilet bowl isn’t filling up as it should, this could indicate a broken seal.
If there is no caulk around the base of your toilet, water and urine can gather in the crevices, grow bacteria and smell very unpleasant if left unchecked.
A loose or wobbly toilet may indicate a broken pan collar seal or wax ring which can result in toilet water leaking out and puddling on the floor and sewer gas escaping into the room.
Don’t let the stench of smelly drains or other unpleasant bathroom smells overtake your home! Contact Salmon Plumbing today.
Signs of a Brisbane blocked sewer pipe typically arise out of nowhere. You might notice slow drainage, gurgling sounds from drains or toilets, foul smells, or worse still, water pooling around the sewer point. Not only can a blocked sewer cause wastewater to back up into your home posing health hazards and property damage risks, it can also result in expensive repairs if left too late.
If you have a blocked drain or sewer it is a high priority. A damaged, broken or blocked sewerage system is a health and safety issue for your family, neighbours and the environment and needs to be attended to immediately. That is why at Salmon Plumbing we provide a prompt response and an effective solution for clogged drains.
Listen, we know that a clogged drain isn’t fun or friendly. If you’ve got blocked drains, leaving them can turn to disaster.
Whether it’s a monster hairball, uneaten veggies, a failed bread-making project, coffee grounds or something else entirely, we know you just want to get rid of it ASAP.
But the truth is, those fast-acting, grease-battling, life-changing drain cleaners are actually doing more damage to your home or business’ plumbing system than good – and here’s how.
At Salmon Plumbing, we’re familiar with the stress of a clogged drain during a nice, hot shower.
We also know the frustration that can follow when wrestling with the mass of hair, soap scum and other gunk that’s blocking your water flow just isn’t working!
This is a pretty common problem, so we’ve decided to put together three proFISHional tips from the team at Salmon Plumbing to help you clear blocked drains and avoid any upset.
Alternate baking soda, vinegar and plunging
It’s often a surprise when our customers haven’t heard of this one – it’s in every mother’s homecare cookbook! Please note that baking soda may be helpful to unblock a shower drain but can cause build up – so, as always, if it doesn’t work the first time, call in your favourite Brisbane plumbers!
For this, you’ll need one cup of baking soda, one cup of vinegar, plenty of boiling water and a cup plunger.
Then you simply follow these steps:
Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain.
After that, pour a cup of vinegar down the drain (this should create a chemical reaction that will cause fizzing in your drain).
Once the fizzing has died down, wait five minutes and boil some water.
Next, pour the boiling water slowly down the drain.
Finally, run some water down the drain and start plunging.
The baking soda and vinegar will break up any hair and gunk, and the boiling water helps to pass this waste through the drain, removing the blockage. The plunging ensures that the blockage is completely dislodged and out of your system. If the shower drain keeps getting blocked, then step back and call the plumber, there’s a bigger problem down there!
Remove the drain stopper and use pliers to extract the hair and gunk
This is certainly the hands-on approach most want to avoid, unfortunately, sometimes it’s necessary if your shower drain is very clogged. There’s nothing worse than dealing with a chunk of hair and soap scum, we feel you. But if you’re facing a “no showers” situation, get out the gloves!
For this, you’ll need a screwdriver, rubber gloves, a torch and needle-nose pliers.
Then, you simply follow these steps:
Remove the shower grate from your drain, this is where you may need your screwdriver.
Once you’ve got a clear opening to the drain below, shine your torch in it.
You should see the hairy culprit sitting in the drain.
Put the gloves on and use the needle-nose pliers to pull out the mass in your drain.
After removing the gunk, run some hot water down the drain.
Finally, reinstall the grate and ensure everything’s working properly.
Drain Cleaners – The Last Gasp
We know that a lot of people don’t like the supermarket drain cleaner option because of the chemicals that are often found in drain cleaners. We don’t really like them either as a lot of them can hurt our fishy brothers and sisters in the ocean!
Luckily, we’ve found a plumbing pipe cleaning product that contains no harsh chemicals. It’s called the CLR Power Plumber.
It essentially works the same way as a plunger, except without the mess!
To use it, run the water in your shower and allow some water to pool. Then, submerge the cap of the CLR Power Plumber can and place it over the drain opening. Then, press firmly down. This should expand the gas in the can and push the blockage down and out. Then Hey Presto – No more clogged shower drain!
Red flags your DIY shower drain cleaning isn’t working!
The problem with cleaning a shower drain pipe yourself is that a hair-clogged drain could be a bigger problem than first meets the eye. Hair tends to grab passing particles and can form large blockages in a relatively short time. If you try to clear your shower drain but the problem keeps coming back, you could be forcing hairballs deeper and deeper into your shower drainage pipe. If you clear the blockage you can see, get all the hair out of the drain and then it blocks again, do not keep attempting to unblock it yourself.
The team at Salmon Plumbing are available at our North Brisbane site around the clock to support the Brisbane region with their plumbing problems and enquiries.
If you need help, simply dial 07 3862 2600 at any hour of the day and our team will pick up the phone and organise the assistance you need.
For more at-home plumbing tips, or to learn about Australia’s plumbing history, click here to read the Salmon Plumbing blog.
