At Super Drains, we help Sydney homeowners clear blocked drains and, where needed, investigate why the problem keeps returning.

What Are the Warning Signs?

A recurring blockage does not always start with a completely blocked drain.

You may notice smaller warning signs first, such as:

• Water draining more slowly than usual
• Gurgling sounds from toilets or sinks
• Unpleasant drain smells
• Water backing up through another fixture
• The same toilet or drain blocking repeatedly
• Several drains becoming slow at the same time
• Blockages becoming more frequent

If these issues keep returning after the drain has already been cleared, it is worth looking further into the drainage system. 

What Could Be Causing the Problem?

There is no single reason a drain keeps blocking. The cause can vary depending on the age of the property, the condition of the pipework and what is entering the drainage system.

Build-Up Inside the Pipe

Grease, soap residue, hair, food waste and other material can gradually build up along the inside of a drain.

Over time, the available space inside the pipe becomes smaller and water struggles to move through properly.

In suitable situations, high-pressure water jetting can help remove this build-up and clean the inside of the pipe more thoroughly.

Tree Roots

Tree roots can enter underground drainage pipes through small cracks, damaged joints or other openings.

Once inside, they can continue to grow and create a point where waste and debris get caught.

Removing the roots can restore flow, but if the pipe has an opening that allows them to enter again, the problem may return.

Damage to the Drainage Pipe

Cracked, broken or displaced sections of pipe can affect the way waste moves through the drainage system.

Even relatively small defects can create rough areas where toilet paper and other material begin collecting.

If enough material builds up, another blockage can form.

A Collapsed or Restricted Pipe

More serious damage can cause part of the drainage pipe to collapse or become heavily restricted.

In this situation, the available opening inside the pipe may be too small for waste to move through freely.

Repeated drain clearing may not solve the problem if the damaged section remains in place.

Items That Should Not Be in the Drain

Wipes, sanitary products and other foreign objects can also contribute to recurring blockages.

Some materials do not break down easily and can become lodged inside the drainage system, particularly where there is already a damaged or restricted section of pipe.

How Does a Plumber Work Out What Is Wrong?

When the same drain keeps blocking, the next step is often to inspect the pipe rather than continue treating each blockage as a separate problem.

A CCTV drain inspection allows a plumber to feed a specialist camera through the drainage system and inspect the inside of the pipe.

This can help identify issues such as:

• Root intrusion
• Cracks or damaged pipework
• Displaced joints
• Collapsed sections
• Foreign objects
• Heavy build-up
• Other restrictions affecting water flow

The main advantage is that it removes much of the guesswork.

Instead of assuming what might be causing the blockage, the condition of the pipe can be inspected directly. 

What Happens Once the Cause Is Found?

The solution will depend on the problem.

If the drainage pipe is in good condition but heavily blocked with waste or build-up, a thorough clean may be enough.

If roots are present, they may need to be removed and the section they are entering through assessed.

If the pipe itself is damaged, repair work may be recommended.

In some situations, pipe relining may also be suitable. This involves repairing certain sections of damaged pipe from within the existing drainage system, rather than excavating and replacing the entire pipe.

Other defects may require a more traditional repair.

The important thing is choosing a solution based on what is actually happening inside the drain.

When Should You Stop Just Clearing the Drain?

If this is the first time your drain has blocked, there may be no reason to assume there is a bigger problem.

But if you have had the same drain cleared several times, the pattern itself is worth investigating.

Continuing to clear the blockage without finding the cause can mean repeatedly paying to deal with the same issue.

A proper inspection can help determine whether you are dealing with ordinary build-up or a fault in the drainage system that needs further attention.

Get to the Bottom of a Recurring Blockage

If your drain keeps blocking, do not assume you simply need another quick clear.

Super Drains can clear blocked drains across Sydney and use CCTV drain inspection equipment where required to help identify what is causing the problem.

If the same blockage keeps coming back, find out what is happening inside the pipe.

Speak to the Super Drains team today to organise a drain inspection.