A Blocked Drain Vs. A Blocked Sewer, How to Discover And Why Is It Important To Decide?

This is because when you call up and say ‘my drain is blocked’, the initial thing we ask is how many drains are there? Since the response determines everything about the employment.

There’s a difference between a blocked drain and a blocked sewer. Each has a different driver, a different cost, a different sense of urgency and a different responsibility. Knowing the type of blockage that you have before you call a plumber will save you time, prepare you for what to expect and if we have blocked your water supply line and not Sydney Water’s blockage, could save you paying the full bill.

The Quick Test

There’s a really easy trick to understand that difference if you know what it is and it takes about 30-seconds.

If the blockage occurs in one drain while the remainder are fine: It’s a blocked drain, a fixture problem. The blockage is caused by an obstruction in the branch pipe of that fixture. The kitchen or bathroom sink is clogged, but the other sink drains fine. The shower pressure is light but the toilet flushes ok. That’s a local problem with the pipe extending from the fixture to the location where it connects with the main drain line.

When several drains back up or start to run slowly: This is a sewer back-up—main line issue. If all of the branch lines, including for the kitchen sink, shower, bathtub and toilet, are clogged at the same time, the clog is downstream of all the lines. This is the primary sewer line, (one pipe that drains all the wastewater from your property to the boundary connection for Sydney Water).

Flushing toilet and observing shower drain: confirmation test. However, if the water rises in the shower during toilet flushing, the clog is in the main sewer line. Those two fixtures are on different branch lines and therefore only interact in the event of a common downstream restriction.

Why it Matters: Cost and Complexity Notes

A drain that’s simply backed up should be an easy, simple task, possibly for just one fixture. You may be able to get it unclogged by using a plunger. A hand snake will most likely. Otherwise, usually running for less than an hour, use an electric eel or a jet placed locally. Cost: typically $150 to $350.

If it is a clogged sewer it is a larger task. This is due to a clog in the main sewer line underground, connecting the home to the sewer line boundary. The only way to get rid of it is to have access to the cleanout or overflow relief gully, know how to use high pressure jetting equipment and if possible have access to a camera for diagnosing the cause. If the blockage is due to tree roots, relining the pipe may be necessary. In the event of collapse, pipes will need to be excavated. Cost: $400 – $3,000 + depending on cause and severity.

Who Pays? Go For The Beautiful Stroll To The Beach Via The Tree Walk Or Along The Shoreline

Who’s responsibility it is to clear a blocked drain, depends on the location of the blockage.

Within your property boundary: Your responsibility. From your house to your boundary trap the pipes are your property. Whatever the cause, these pipes are clogged and it is the responsibility of maintenance to clean and maintain them.

Common property in the strata: where the blockage is occurring in the shared sewer stack or common area drainage in an apartment building the owners’ company is liable. The building maintenance fund is the source for the cost.

In Sydney Water’s system: Sydney Water is responsible if the stoppage is in a maintenance hole on public domain or in the main sewer located underneath the street. These are the indicators that it may be their: the overflow is from a maintenance hole on footpath / road; several neighbours have the same issue at the same time. Call Sydney Water’s 24/7 faults line on 13 20 90.

Sydney Water may be able to reimburse you if they are compelled to let your plumber do an investigation or repairs on their water pipes. We have assisted our clients in this process, (involves certain documentation but means complete refund of the Plumbers charges).

Where to Begin

If one drain: First try a plunger. Otherwise if that doesn’t work out then refrain from using chemical cleaners as this can be harmful to pipes and contact a plumber for same day clearing service during business hours! Not an emergency.

If it’s all drains: Water can be kept from backing up the drains by not using any water in the house. Look at the relevant overflow gully of the yard, if the gully overflows, the main sewer is blocked and a plumber with a jetting machine must be called in. Call now.

In the event of sewage flooding within your home: This is a serious problem! Turn off all water, do not let persons or pets come in contact with the contaminated area, and call in immediately. Biological hazards include sewage.

Test #32 is going to save you time and money. What’s the number of drains that are affected? If it is then it is a drain issue—and more often than not is a quick fix. If it is all of them then take this to be a sewer problem but more involved but we’ll take care of it the same day. If it’s an issue with Sydney Water, we’ll inform you before we begin charging.