Having dealt with thousands of blocked toilets and sinks over the years, we understand the urgency to get them back in action. That’s why we offer round-the-clock emergency plumbing services with same-day response.
Don’t put up with the disruption. We can sort the blockage and fix any underlying issues. While minor blockages can often be cleared with a plunger, some will require a plumber. One thing we suggest is to avoid flushing a blocked toilet as it can worsen the problem and lead to overflowing.
If your toilet or sink experiences recurring blockages, it may indicate issues such as damaged pipes, solid obstructions or tree root intrusions. With our state-of-the-art technologies including CCTV inspections and high-pressure jet blasting, we can clear your pipes without disruptive excavations.
Emergency Blocked Toilet Cleaning Available Sydney Wide
More than a nuisance, a blocked toilet can be detrimental to your everyday operations, whether it’s at home or at a commercial premise. That’s why GF James Plumbing are available 24/7 to take your emergency plumbing calls and offer same day service to get to the site of your blocked toilet or drain. Call us now to describe your plumbing problem to one of our technicians and we’ll be able to walk you through temporary measures to deal with your emergency and quote you over the phone.
If you suspect your toilet may be blocked, don’t keep flushing, this will only make problems worse and possibly cause your toilet to overflow.
What causes a blocked drain?
Broken pipes: Did you know deteriorating, corroding or broken pipes can cause the congestion of waste material and debris in your toilet piping? Often resulting in recurring and bothersome stoppages, we’d recommend a thorough cleaning and inspection of your pipes in order to locate the exact site of the problem. Using trenchless pipe repair technology called pipe relining we’re able to fortify your pipes by reconstructing the interior using an epoxy resin. Affordable, practical and never a hindrance to your day, pipe relining will ensure blocked toilets are a thing of the past.
Tree roots: Probably one of the most common causes of blocked drains are insidious tree root blockages. Often resulting in broken pipes, even once flushed and cleared away tree roots can continue to regrow into the cracks of your plumbing pipes every three months. If functional plumbing is a necessity for you (let’s be honest, it is for most of us) and you want to avoid a plumbing emergency in your home or office in the future, trenchless pipe relining is going to be the best way to defend your pipes against further problems. By using a combination of CCTV pipe inspection and electric eel or high-pressure jet blasting technology we’ll be able to locate and clear any tree roots quickly and without damage to your property. We’ll follow this up with pipe relining, an inflatable epoxy resin that immediately makes your pipes perforation free with a guaranteed lifetime of 40 years.
Sewer obstructions: Baby wipes, nappies, ultra-plush toilet paper and sanitary items are likely culprits when it comes to a blocked toilet. Rogue deodorising cages, children’s toys and a whole collection of weird artefacts can be found clogging domestic sewer pipes.
What should I do if I have a blocked toilet drain?
Firstly, stop flushing. One of the worst things you can do when you suspect you have a blocked drain is to keep on flushing your toilet hoping it will unblock. Unfortunately, doing this is highly likely to cause your toilet to overflow resulting in a mess that is both bothersome, unhygienic and possibly damaging to your property. We recommend you always call your local emergency plumber in order to get professional advice and to have your plumbing problems dealt with in a timely and sanitary manner.
Dealing with a minor blockage: a step-by-step guide to plunging a blocked toilet
What you’ll need:
Plunging your toilet:
Should I use chemical cleaners on my blocked toilet drains?
We always recommend a plunger over chemical toilet cleaners. A chemical toilet clog remover when poured into your toilet bowl releases toxic fumes. These can be particularly bad for asthmatics, but even those with no prior history of respiratory problems may encounter shortness of breath, headaches and nausea. They should always be kept well away from children as many can cause death if ingested.
If you decide to try a chemical toilet cleaner, always ensure that the room is well ventilated. Open the windows and doors, and use the exhaust fan if you have one. An Environmental Working Group study in 2012 found that some of our most popular toilet cleaners contained harmful carcinogens like formaldehyde and chloroform.
We also recommend you wear protective clothing. This includes gloves, eye protection and a respiratory mask. Chemical burns are dangerous and should be dealt with as a medical emergency.
Ultimately chemical drain cleaners are often ineffective in removing your toilet blockage whilst posing both a risk to you and the environment. We recommend that any minor blockage that can’t be cleared by using a plunger be inspected by a licensed plumber.
What if my toilet continually becomes blocked?
Whilst plunging a toilet can be very effective for minor blockages, anything bigger will require a licensed plumber. If your toilet regularly clogs, you may have damaged pipes or tree root intrusions. Don’t worry, though. Plumbing has advanced a lot over the last few years and by using CCTV technology and high-pressure jet blasting we can clear your pipes without causing any damage to your home or business. Here at GF James Plumbing we use trenchless pipe relining, a safe, quick and effective way to rebuild the structural integrity of your pipes. By saving on time and removing the need for burdensome digs or excavations, pipe relining can save you money while keeping your plumbing blockage and damage free.
Clogged Sink Repair
Help! My bathroom sink is blocked.
If your bathroom sink, shower and bathtub drains are regularly blocked it’s probably time to buy a Clog Catcher. Great for the bathroom, it helps prevent soap scum, hair and other nasties from getting into your pipes, causing slow drainage or stopped water. These Clog Catchers come in different sizes and can be bought online. You’ll need to regularly pull them out and give them a thorough cleaning (outside obviously) which can be pretty confronting, but if you have older bathroom piping they are almost a necessity!
How can I avoid a blocked bathroom sink?
Drain catchers are definitely going to help but there are alternatives. Placing a washcloth over your sink when shaving and washing outside as opposed to flushing everything down your sink works in a similar way to a Clog Catcher.
Why is my bathroom sink or drain blocked?
Your bathroom sinks and drains can cop a fair bit of damage. Oils and other elements found in skincare products can cause grease and build up that congeals and causes other debris to clog. Regular maintenance is recommended in order to prevent clogging.
What can I do to prevent my drain from becoming blocked?
Occasionally taking the time to pour boiling water down your drains, and every so often mixing it up with baking soda and cleaning vinegar, will help to break down any muck that could be found in your pipes.
Plumbing is definitely one thing you should never try to DIY. If your kitchen sink is blocked and you’re regularly noticing slow water drainage or pooling water it’s time to call a plumber.
Want to know how you can avoid blocking up your kitchen sink’s drain?
Follow these golden rules:
Dispose of cooking grease in the garbage and not down your sink.
Add used coffee grounds to your compost or throw them away.
Invest in a drain-grate to cover the drain’s opening, helping to prevent hair and soap scum from becoming a problem.
What can you do to prevent your drain from getting blocked in the future?
A little regular maintenance doesn’t go astray. Run a little hot water down your drain after each use and occasionally clean your pipes with baking soda and vinegar.
How can I unblock a clogged drain?
If you’ve tried boiling water, baking soda and vinegar you might want to move on to your standard household plunger. You want a cup plunger (your standard plunger as opposed to your toilet plunger).
If your drain remains blocked or you experience continual re-blocking, it’s time to call a plumber. It’s highly likely your drains need to be flushed or there may be some tree root damage. But there’s no need for concern, while a blocked drain or tree root damage once meant costly and time-consuming digs, modern plumbing hydro-jetting means these problems can be dealt with swiftly and without any disruption to your home or property.
We’re here to help
69 Jellicoe Street Lidcombe, NSW, 2141. Lic No. L4219
Member of Master Plumbers Association
Proud Member of the O’Brien Network
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems (QMS)
© GF James Plumbing Group 2024
