Dear homeowner. Did you go to your bathroom and notice that you have blocked drains? Don’t worry because you’re not the first or only person to have that issue. It is a common phenomenon in every home – and I must say, quite annoying and downright embarrassing!
I discovered that blocked drains are a major issue with houses around the world. Furthermore, I realised that the average homeowner will have a blocked drain at least once in a lifetime.
I understand that a blocked drain is the last thing you need, especially after a long day. You just want to kick back and relax in the tub, but alas! That won’t be possible. Not only that but repairing blocked drains on your own can also be very frustrating. Don’t fret buddy! I will educate you on the best route to take when you have a blocked combined sewerage drain pipe.
Will I fix my drainage system when it blocks?
Do you have mould in your rental property in NSW or a damaged drain? We’ve got you covered. If you don’t know who is responsible for your blocked sewer drain check its location. Your water company will only fix drainage pipes that are located on public grounds. But once it’s inside your property they’re not responsible for fixing it for you. Hence, your property boundary is where they stop.
Thus, if your drainage is clogged you’re responsible for clearing it out since you’re the property owner.
Also, you are responsible for your blocked drain if you’re using a private sewer system.
Furthermore, you’re the one that has to repair broken drains and plumbing systems within your property.
Is my landlord responsible for my blocked drain?
So, your landlord is the chief property owner of your rental property. What responsibilities do landlords have regarding repairs? Your landlord is responsible for your blocked drain if and only if your tenant or lease agreement allows it. This may be a little different from other items, like mould which the landlord is responsible for.
And this also involves sewer drains. Hence your landlord’s responsibility will fix your blocked drain if it fails on his/her property. I’m sure you would love someone else to spend money fixing it for you. I know I would. But if you’re not lucky enough your lease agreement will prevent you from throwing fixing costs at your landlord.
But in some cases, your leasing agreement will permit your landlord to ask you to contribute money to repair costs to fix the drain.
However, you can also come to an understanding with your landlord and share the maintenance cost.
But I would suggest you know your renters rights before negotiating. Hence, I suggest you read through your lease agreement carefully.
If the conditions of your tenancy agreement are normal, it should specify if you’re responsible for a blocked drain. But if you haven’t paid rent yet and you notice the house has plumbing issues, I suggest you:
- Ask your landlord who is going to fix it.
- Control the tenancy agreement to benefit you.
Either way, ensure that these issues do not affect your relationship with the landlord. You should be able to come to a mutual understanding and meet halfway. That’s unless you are dealing with a bad landlord in Australia.
What drainage systems are publicly managed?
If you find a drain cover protecting sewer pipes in a manhole you’re not responsible for fixing any issues concerning the sewer pipe.
If you don’t know what a drain cover is just walk down your street and search for a round flat round metal covering the road.
Additionally, if you observe that the drainage is constantly managed by a water corporation or a local council it’s a public drain. Even if the drain might be on your private property, you’re not liable to fix it if there’s a clog. However, if you want to be 100% sure you can check the cover of the drainage. If you see an indicator on the drain like the water company’s name or logo it’s a public drain.
Additionally, sewer and lateral drains are drains that aren’t your property owners’ responsibility to fix.
If you didn’t know before, a lateral drain is a waste pipe that runs under public highways.
Blocked drains outside the property boundaries aren’t your responsibility! But if you’re the owner and have no clue what to do, give your water company a ring. Just to be on the safe side! You and your water company could work something out; they’ll take care of it, no worries. Of course, it’s ultimately up to the company whether they accept or reject; though they might go for it if it falls in line with their terms and conditions.
What’s clogging my drainage system?
Your drainage system is totally blocked – and there are a few explanations for that.
Alright, let’s figure out why your drain is blocked. Where it’s located can give us a clue, so here are some of the most common reasons for plumbing blockages:
- Human hair tends to get all caught up in the shower drains—it’s such a common problem. It usually resides deep in the recesses of the drain, clogging it up and causing frustration beyond belief. We’ve all been there – searching for something (anything!) that might be able to help clean out the drain and restore water flow; but do we ever really find anything? Not usually. Prevention is key! To keep your drain clog-free, regularly give your drainage area a good clean. That way, you won’t be left with a tangle of hair. Of course, it’s never fun having to deal with the mess of cleaning out a clogged sink or bathtub. But by taking some proactive steps and cleaning that drainage area often, you can be sure that you won’t have any nasty surprises waiting for you down the line.
- Plants: Plants just love drainage pipes since they get their water from them. Get ready for some greenery popping up near your drainage system!
If you throw seeds down your drain, some might pick up and start growing inside your drainage system. Furthermore, the roots of some plants might grow towards your drain and push it out of place. Thus, causing your drain to clog and smell. - Oily substances: If you work with oils in your house or restaurant, it will cause your drainage to clog after a while. The grease or oil from your cooking oil usually contains fatty deposits. You won’t notice these deposits when the oil is hot. However, once it cools down these fatty deposits begin to surface and clog your drainage system.
- Other materials: Other materials like sanitary pads and wet wipes can clog your toilet drain. If you keep pushing these items down your drain, they will build up and clog your drain. Hence, you should find another way to dispose of them.
People also ask
Why should I unclog my blocked drain?
If you don’t unclog your blocked drain, the water will flow back through burst pipes and cause damage to your house.
How will I know if my drainage system is blocked?
The best way for you to determine if your drainage system is blocked is when water collects sewage backup in multiple plumbing fixtures.
