Clogged drains are common problems among Melbourne homes. Despite best efforts, hair, grease, oil, and sludge accumulate in the drain lines over time. They solidify and cause a blockage. These can’t be solved by typical home unclogging tools.
Traditional Drain Cleaning Method
Traditionally, plumbers use “drain snake” to remove any obstruction. An auger at the end of a long coil breaks up soft materials and corkscrews denser ones to be pulled out the drain. This method cannot completely clear the pipe. “Snaking” the debris to move past the joints are time-consuming tasks. Sediments left can build up and re-clog the tube. Plus, the mechanical action of the auger can scratch the inner layers of the pipe. Damage increases on repeated, prolonged use and when the operator is applying too much force.
High-Pressure Drain Cleaning Method
High pressure drain cleaning is becoming the preferred solution for clogging problems. It uses high water pressure to move the obstacles down the line. With pressures of 4,000 up to 5,000 psi, it has the power to cut through small roots and pierce through obstacles. The clearing process not only removes the clogs but also cleans the pipes. The method is effective against bacteria that cause foul smell.
High pressure drain cleaners release 20 to 85 litres of water per minute. Concerns are raised on its impact to the environment by using too much water. It must be noted, however, that the machine operates only for a few minutes and uses clean water that leaves no harmful effect compared to chemical declogging.
Different sizes of hose are available to match different pipe radius. As a general rule, the bigger hose produces the higher pressure. And higher pressure means easier declogging. The downside, the bigger hose are more likely to get stuck on bends.
Is High-Pressure Cleaning the Best Option to Fix Clogged Drains?
High pressure drain cleaning is a good option to solve the clogging problems but not always the best choice. The task must be done by a blocked drain specialist Melbourne lists as qualified tradesman. This is to ensure that declogging is balanced with the need to preserve the health of the pipes and municipal sewers. Older homes with ceramic and clay pipes should not employ this method.
The plumber may recommend using a drain snake to tackle the blockage and followed by high water pressure to complete the job. Damages to the inner linings of the pipe are avoided by adjusting the water pressure. CCTV pipe inspection may follow to ensure the clogs are completely removed and see if the lines are in prime condition. Pipe relining may be recommended for damaged drainage lines.
Domestic solution of attaching drain cleaning hose to pressure washer has a major drawback. The hose can get stuck and you may need to excavate to get it out. The professional version avoids the problem by vibrating the hose to break the friction with the pipe. Investing on such equipment for personal use is not recommended since you’ll rarely find the need for it. Proper training and license are necessary to use it on your sewer lines.
