Blocked drains in Mayfield West: what causes them and how they get fixed

A slow sink is irritating. A drain that keeps blocking is expensive. Here is what usually sits behind blockages in Mayfield West and the wider Newcastle area, and how a plumber from Flow Plumbing Solutions goes about fixing them.

The usual suspects

• Tree roots. Roots seek out moisture and can enter pipes at joints. Established gardens over older clay pipes are the classic setup.
• Grease and food in the kitchen. Fat cools and coats the pipe wall, narrowing it until something catches.
• Hair and soap scum in showers. Slow drainage that gets worse over weeks.
• "Flushable" wipes. They do not break down like toilet paper and are a leading cause of sewer blockages.
• Damaged pipes. Cracked, offset or collapsed sections catch debris and block again and again.
• Stormwater drains. Leaves, silt and mulch can choke outdoor grates, which matters after heavy Newcastle rain.

What you can safely try

A plunger, a bucket of hot (not boiling) water for grease, and cleaning out the strainer will clear minor clogs. Avoid caustic drain cleaners. They can damage older pipes and are hazardous to whoever works on the drain next.

Signs it is time to call

• More than one fixture is slow or gurgling at the same time
• Sewage smell indoors or around the yard gully
• Water backing up in the shower when you flush or run the washing machine
• The same drain blocks again within weeks of being cleared

How the blockage is cleared

A plumber will usually clear a drain with a mechanical cable or high-pressure water jetting. If it comes back, the next step is a CCTV drain inspection: a small waterproof camera is fed into the pipe so you can see roots, cracks or a collapsed joint on screen rather than guessing. That tells you whether you need a simple clean-out, a localised repair or a section replaced.

Keeping drains clear

Bin fats and wipes, use strainers, and keep trees and large shrubs away from the sewer line where you can. If your home has older pipes and a mature garden, a camera look every few years is cheap compared with an emergency overflow.

Need a hand? Flow Plumbing Solutions is based in Mayfield West and answers calls 24/7 on 0461 408 283.

More from us: Flow Plumbing Solutions on Google Maps.

Read more: What to do first in a plumbing emergency in Newcastle