Frequently Asked Questions

Blocked drains are among the most common plumbing issues and can be quite problematic. A blocked drain not only causes inconveniences due to overflowing and bad odour, but also poses a health hazard. There are few reasons from which a blocked drain issue may arise:

Excess toilet paper: Blockage created by toilet paper is the most common cause behind blocked drains. When an excessive amount of toilet paper is flushed down, it may accumulate inside the drain.

Tree roots: The slightest crack in your drain pipe can serve as an entry point for tree roots, which would then grow inside the pipe.

Other factors that can lead to blocked drains include changes in soil slope, misalignments, foreign objects thrown into the toilet and breakages.

Once a drain gets blocked, it gives rise to a number of issues which help to alert homeowners about it. Some of the common signs of a blocked drain are:

Slow drainage: The most prominent sign of a blocked drain is that your sinks or shower would drain slowly or even not drain at all if the blockage is too severe.

Foul smell: Another indicator of a blocked drain is the foul smell that’s generated as the blockage in the drain starts rotting.

Sounds: In case if your drainage pipes sound different than usual while draining water, a blockage can be the reason behind it.

Professional plumbers, particularly those from reputed plumbing companies, carry a wide range of equipment that they can use to unblock a drain. Here are some of the common tools among them:

Drain Machine: A drain machine is a mechanical tool that can remove clogs and unblock drains and pipes. It’s an alternative to using chemical drain cleaners that can harm plumbing.

Drain cameras: These cameras are used for detection purposes. Attached to flexible rods, small CCTV cameras are inserted into the drain and they provide real-time visuals to the plumber’s screen.

HydroJet: A Hydrjet is a tool which sprays high-pressure water into the inner walls of the pipe to break down any build-up and wash away debris.

Plunger: A plunger consists of a rod with a suction cup attached on one end. The suction cap is used to seal the opening of the pipe and pull to create a vacuum and loosen the blockage.

Unless the blockage is right near the drain cover, you would need specific tools to unblock the drain. You may start by uncovering the drain and looking for the blockage. In case if you don’t see it right away, you may also use a gloved hand to feel for it. If you find the blockage to be in a deep location, you would have to use an auger or drain snake to clear it. A water jetter would be necessary to clear out debris stuck very deep inside the drain. Professional plumbers usually carry all these tools. If you are unsure about how to unblock a drain or do not have the necessary tools, you may simply hire a plumber.

There are several ways in which a smelly drain can be cleaned. However, the easiest way to go about it is to use a solution of vinegar and baking soda. Here are the few simple steps you would have to take:

• Start by running some hot water down the drain.
• Next, pour a cup of baking soda into the drain.
• Follow it up with two cups of vinegar.
• Allow the solution to fizz for some time.
• Leave it undisturbed for at least one hour.
• Flush hot water into the drain again to wash down the solution.

The prime advantage of this method is that baking soda and vinegar are common kitchen ingredients. However, you may contact a professional plumber if it doesn’t work.

In case if your drains are failing to function properly and emitting gurgling noises, there might primarily be two reasons behind it:

• Venting system issues: The drainage pipes come with venting systems that allow air to flow through them without disturbing the flow of the water. However, a blockage in the venting system could stop the drains from working properly. Venting systems are often blocked by the build-up of grease and dirt or by birds’ nests.
• Blockages: Gurgling sounds may also be created as a result of blockages in the drainage pipes. As the water strains to push past the blockage, it creates such noises.

In either case, you would have to get the blockage cleared by professional plumbers.

Chemical drain cleaners are highly toxic and can be quite dangerous. It poses a threat not only to your drains, but to the health of you and those living around you too. These drain cleaners eliminate blockages by generating high amounts of heat to melt them. The same chemicals could also corrode your pipes from the inside, causing more harm than good. The chemical drain cleaners are capable of melting through tough blockages. If some of it comes in touch with your skin, it could easily cause severe damage. You should keep these drain cleaners as a last resort and make sure to choose a relatively safer one. It is best to consult a professional before using a chemical drain cleaner.

Toilets may get blocked once in a while and it is not a huge issue. However, if your toilet keeps getting clogged frequently or you are unable to clear the clog easily with a plunger, there might be a problem. Some of the possible reasons behind a blocked toilet are:

• Throwing foreign objects into the toilet, such as kids putting their toys there can easily create a blockage.
• Flushing too much toilet paper into the toilet may result in a clog.
• If your region is supplied with hard water, your toilet may get blocked due to a build-up of water-borne deposits.

Yes! We know how to handle a variety of gas installation and appliance repairs. No matter what your problem is, we can resolve it. Our plumbers can handle gas repairs such as:

• Gas Hot Water Heaters
• Gas Outdoor Heaters
• Gas Room Heaters
• Gas Cook Tops
• Gas BBQ
• Gas Ovens
• Gas Commercial Appliances
• Gas Pipelines

Yes! World of water Plumbing and Gas offers both emergency and weekend services. Check out our emergency services page for more information.

Yes, for some services World of Water Plumbing and gas may offer free estimates! Contact us for more details.

Yes we do, Our plumbers can handle:

• Testing water mains,
• Testing breachers
• CCTV camera to stormwater and sewer drains
• All tap wear
• Roof and gutters