Blocked Drains

What Causes Blocked Drains In Brisbane?

While day-to-day bad habits like pouring cooking oils and fats down the sink or flushing wet wipes contribute to blockages, one of the main causes of clogged drains and failures is structural wear and tear and environmental factors in Brisbane.

• Hair, Soap & Bathroom Build-Up: Over time, hair and soap residue clumps together, creating a solid mass that gradually chokes your drain, restricting the flow of water.

• Grease, Fat & Food Waste: Pouring fats, oils and grease (FOG) down the kitchen sink might seem harmless, but as soon as the hot grease hits the cool pipe, it solidifies. It coats the inside of your pipes, narrowing the pipe diameter until debris gets trapped and creates a total blockage.

• Tree Root Intrusion: The leading cause of sewer line and pipe collapses in Brisbane is tree roots. Native trees naturally seek out water and nutrients in the soil, squeezing through microscopic and hairline cracks in your underground pipes. Once inside, the roots feed on water, expanding until the pipe is completely blocked.

Why Does My Drain Keep Becoming Blocked In Brisbane?

Subtropical Storms & Heavy Rainfall: Brisbane's intense storms put extra pressure on your home's stormwater systems. When your downpipes are filled with leaves and sticks, heavy rainfall has nowhere to go.

Aggressive Tree Roots: Local Brisbane trees like Jacarandas and Bottlebrushes have invasive and heavy root systems. These roots go deep underground in their search for nutrients and water, targeting your underground sewer lines.

Expansive Clay Soils: Many parts of Brisbane has reactiv clay soils. This clay expands and contracts over the year and can put pressure on your underground pipe network.

Older Queenslander Homes: Many post-war era homes, especially in Brisbane’s southside suburbs like Holland Park, have original clay sewer lines and galvanised steel pipes that have been underground for over 60 years. 

How Do You Know If Your Drain Is Blocked

Recognising the early warning signs and red flags that you could be dealing with a blocked drain gives you a chance to properly identify the issue before it becomes a total disaster.

Some of the telltale signs are:

• Slow-Draining Fixtures
• Gurgling or Bubbling Drains
• Foul Drain Smells
• Water Backing Up
• Overflowing Toilets
• Recurring Blockages

Emergency Blocked Drain Solutions Brisbane

At Evermore Plumbing, we understand that blocked drains can occur at any time. There's nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night to find your kitchen sink is overflowing or your stormwater drain is blocked. Our team are equipped with the latest tools and is highly skilled to get your drains flowing freely in no time.

Blocked Stormwater Drains

We all know that Brisbane’s thunderstorms dump massive amounts of water in a matter of minutes. If your stormwater drains and pipes are clogged with leaves, dirt or invasive tree roots, your risk of flooding increases dramatically. When your backyard drainage system fails to safely divert stormwater runoff and excessive surface water away from your home, it puts pressure on your downpipes and can damage the foundation of your home.

Our specialised hydro-jetting equipment is ready to handle high-volume stormwater infrastructure and stubborn clogs. Our plumbers thoroughly inspect your stormwater pipes with advanced CCTV drain cameras to see exactly what's going on, clearing the blockage effectively and efficiently.

How We Find and Clear Blocked Drains In Brisbane

Here at Evermore Plumbing, we don’t guess what’s inside your pipes. On every job, we are equipped with the latest diagnostic tools to pinpoint the exact location, depth, severity and cause of the blockage before taking action.

Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Setup

Our team performed a visual inspection of all the impacted taps, fixtures and fittings to see how your water is flowing and how your drain interacts with it. We also find the nearest entry point to access the main drain safely without causing any unpleasant spillages on your property.

CCTV Drain Inspection

Once it is safe to do so, we insert a high-definition CCTV drain camera down your drain. This advanced camera streams HD footage onto our monitor, allowing us to see the exact state of your pipe and blockage.

Hydro Jetting & Clearing

Now that the blockage has been found successfully, our plumbers use high-powered hydro jetting equipment to clear it. Utilising this high-pressure, specialised nozzle, we cut through dense tree roots, flush out sand and blast away grease from the pipes, restoring them to their original state.

Post-Clearing Verification and Testing

After clearing the inside of your pipe, we re-insert the CCTV camera to inspect the pipe and confirm that the blockage is gone.

I’m Renting: Who Is Responsible For A Blocked Drain?

Brisbane has a massive rental market, especially in the inner city. Running into blocked drains and other plumbing issues when you’re renting is incredibly stressful and it’s easy to start to panic and ask, “Do I have to pay for that, or does my landlord?”

Before you panic, it’s important to determine if you are at fault or not. As per the Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA), the landlord is responsible for fair wear and tear of the pipe or drain. These include:

• Tree Root Invasion
• Aging, outdated and damaged clay pipes
• Storm damage
• Structural damage like collapsed pipes

However, the tenant is responsible for any drainage problems they have caused, which includes:

• Dumping excessive fat down the sink
• Flushing non-flushable wipes and sanitary products
• Foreign objects like children’s toys

How Much Does It Cost To Unblock A Drain?

The cost of clearing blocked drains depends on the severity of the problem. However, whatever the issue may be, our plumbers will always provide you with a detailed quote. This way, you know exactly where your money is going before the job begins.

Why Choose Evermore Plumbing For Your Drainage Needs In Brisbane?

• Proudly family-owned and operated
• Fast and Reliable Blocked Drain Solutions
• Over 17 years of experience
• Award-winning

Your Blocked Drain Specialists Across Brisbane

Don’t let a clogged drain turn into a troublesome burst pipe. Whether it’s a blocked bathroom sink or your sewage system is overflowing, Evermore Plumbing have the experience, the skills and the technology to fix it fast and get your pipes flowing again.

For a detailed quote, contact our specialised drainage team on 1300 754 072 or complete our online booking form today.