Proving we care with every repair

7 Ways to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink That Drains Slowly

A slow draining kitchen sink is a very common problem at home – and this problem is not as simple as it sounds. It can cause you a headache and lead to further plumbing troubles when not taken care of properly.

However, you don’t have to worry because we have some tips you can try at home to unclog it. They are very straightforward, and anyone can do it with simple tools and materials available in any household.

Easiest 7 Ways To Unclog a Kitchen Sink

1. Run Boiling Water Through Sink Drain

One of the simplest ways to unclog your kitchen sink that drains slow is to pour hot boiling water down the kitchen drain. All you need to do is boil a decent amount of water in a kettle and run it down the sink drain. Do this as soon as you boil the water to maximize the temperature of the water.

Hot water helps to break down clumped fat and food deposits. Often, this method is helpful to free the drain pipes from food accumulation. Repeat this technique two or more times to get rid of the clog.

2. Mixture Of Vinegar And Baking Soda

If the boiling water did not work, another method you could try at home is using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. We can use the baking soda and vinegar, laying in the kitchen cupboard, as a cleaner. Make the solution using equal parts of vinegar and baking soda. The mixture helps to remove the gunk present in your drain. Pour the bubbly liquid as soon as your mix it. Repeat the process as necessary.

If you want to save yourself the trouble of mixing the two items, you can spurt dry baking soda down your kitchen sink followed by vinegar. For the most effective result, let it stay there overnight and then, flush the drain with boiling water the next day.

3. Bent Wire Hanger

A DIY project is using a wire hanger to clean your sink drain. Find a bent wire hanger at home and straighten it out. Insert it down the pipe and grab the deposits of sediments and debris with the hook. Always focus on pulling the gunk out. When you push in towards the drain, it can invite more problems. The bent wire hanger often works well if done correctly.

4. Dry Vacuum

You can use a wet and dry vacuum to unclog your kitchen sink that drains slowly. First, set the vacuum setting to liquid after you cover up the vent. Make a tight seal on the kitchen sink drain. It would help if you use a hose to tighten it.

Turn the vacuum on and let it suck the clog in the drain. We cannot guarantee that this method will work 100%. However, you can give it a try. Make sure you read and follow the instructions in the vacuum manual.

5. Chemicals

Caustic soda is also called Sodium Hydroxide. This chemical can be harmful if not handled properly. It’s a dangerous solution which can create severe burns and affect your eyes. So, please be careful while dealing with such a chemical. Always wear rubber gloves and eyewear while carrying out this method.

Caustic soda (products such as Drain-O) is available at hardware stores. As per the directions given in the package, pour cold water in a bucket (plastic material) and add the pop; around three cups. Mix it with a wooden spoon till it dissolves. You will notice that the mixture gets hot and fizzy. Now, pour the fizzy solution down the drain and let it stay there. After half an hour, run-down boiling water and repeat if required.

Note that chemicals like these can burn your skin. Also, they could pose a threat to you and your family. It is best to avoid trying any removal techniques if you do not have the proper knowledge and practice.

Children could get in the risk zone while you are working on the problem. The best thing to do is to call a plumbing professional for safe and efficient service.

6. Get A Drain Snake

One of the seven ways to unclog your kitchen sink that drains slowly is to use a drain snake to unclog the pipelines at home. It is a smart choice to invest in a drain snake. They are cost-friendly and are very helpful to push out sediment deposits in pipes and drains—the tip of the drain snake pushes through drain clogs.

A drain snake resembles a rope, and has one spiral end. For unclogging your kitchen sink drain, you should put it into the drain opening and twist the handle.

Continue pushing until you feel something resisting it. Now, turn the drain snake against the obstruction.

Repeat the whole process until you are free of the blockage. After this action, pour some warm water down the drain to ensure it’s unclogged.

You can pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and then 1/2 cup of vinegar down the sink drain. Let the mixture settle and pour hot water to flush out the solution. The combination can dissolve the gunk and remove the nasty odours.

7. Clean The Sink P-Trap

Often, sediments and debris block the P-Trap in the drain. The P-Trap resides under the sink at the curve. You will see it in the cabinet below the kitchen sink.

There is no problem cleaning the P-trap; loosen up the contents in it and start cleaning it.

After you get the gunk out of P-trap, clean it with water. Put it back and see if this method worked for you. Cleaning the sink P-Trap is one of the seven ways to unclog your kitchen sink that drains slowly.

These are the 7 handy ways to unclog your kitchen sink that drains slowly. Try these tips at home, and please be careful with using chemicals like caustic soda. Call a professional if the problem persists. Your problem could be over if a plumber assists you.

The expert plumbers at iCare Plumbing are just one call away. Contact us for quick and affordable plumbing services.

10 Preventive Measures To Avoid Clogged and Blocked Drains

From brushing teeth, washing dishes to taking a shower, no day goes by without the use of household drains. There is no second opinion in saying that we are dependent on the drainage system; they are the opening to the whole plumbing system.

As much as we use them, we oversee their routine maintenance, intentionally or unintentionally. Drains at residential property go through a lot and eventually give in. And, we have to face the nightmare of clogged and blocked drainage systems.

A clogged drain is a significant inconvenience for a household. At iCare Plumbing, we understand the trouble a blocked drain brings. A great practice would be to avoid the problem from happening.

Here, We Present You Ten Preventive Measures To Avoid Clogged & Blocked Drains

1. Avoid Blockage In Mainline

In case, the sewer line gets constricted at your home, do not limit the work to just cleaning it. The plumbing agency can put a camera down the path to inspect the issue properly. Often, tree roots cause the mainline blockage. The roots pass through disintegrated pipes and permit the soil to pass to the front, causing an obstruction. Rather than, mending the sewer and spending money on cleaning it, having a proper inspection to find out the root cause will save you both time and money.

2. Use Bacterial Drain Cleaner

At home, organic matters like congealed fat, grease or hair clog the household drains. One of the preventive measures to avoid clogged and blocked drains are using a particular kind of bacteria which breaks down the material blocking your pipes. When you put the bacteria to the drainage, it starts eating the organic matter, and you are free of clogs. The drain cleaning bacteria is available in liquid and granular forms.

Do not worry about breaking your pipes because the bacterial cleaner does not cause corrosion. And, these bacteria shall not intervene with the septic system bacteria. Always follow the direction written on the package and give the cleaner some time to work; a night before would be a suitable time for it to function and start cleaning. You can find these cleaners in hardware stores and home centres.

3. Set Up A Lint Trap For Washing Machine

While the washing machine may seem harmless, it is often the culprit in blocking your drains. Pieces of tissues, fabric or even a tiny sock can get into the drain hose and create havoc.

To stop this issue from happening, install a lint catcher for the drain hose. These lint traps for your washing machine hose are available at hardware stores as well as home centres. Or, you could use a nylon stocking as it can serve the same purpose. Always replace the link trap where it gets packed.

4. Never Gush Grease Down The Drain

Throwing grease down your drain is asking to have a blockage. The oil you throw moves down the drain and freezes somewhere inside, it solidifies and forms an obstructive clog. When other materials move down, the congealed oil collects it too and develops a massive clog.

Always, collect the oil and grease instead of dumping it to the drain. Throw such organic matter in a garbage can. A sustainable approach would be to get a container and saving the used oil for reuse.

5. Do Not Let Hair Get In The Drain

One of the preventive measures to avoid clogged and blocked drains is to collect the soap and hair items and not letting them cause clogs in drainage. When these items reach the drain pipes, you will need a plumber’s snake to take hold of them. You can save yourself the trouble by catching them before they get in.

6. No Rinsing Grout Or Cement Down The Drain

Joint compound, grout and cement can form a hardened clog in your drain. Likewise, sand is another item that causes notorious blockades.

The only way to prevent this from happening is to never run mortar mix or joint compound through the home drain. What you may do is wait for the cement to solidify, throw out the rinse water and, dump the solid in a trash can.

7. Do Not Throw Anything In The Toilet

While it is very convenient to throw anything in the toilet, it can bring a lot of problems, especially for your drainage system. The material you put in the toilet could be stuck in the pipe and welcome a blockage.

It will be a nightmare if something that does not decompose gets stuck like a tampon or diaper. There will be a problem even in the water treatment facility.

Therefore, do not dump things in the toilet. This measure is among one of the ten preventive measures to avoid clogged and blocked drains.

8. Dump The Food Waste In Garbage Can

While running the organic food materials through the disposer makes you comfortable, you have the risk of clogging the drains. A better practice is to collect the waste and dump it in a garbage can. Instead of this, you can put it with the compost pile.

In many countries, people use organic waste to prepare compost. Do not add fat or meat to the pile because such items take longer time to break down.

9. Flush The Household Drains

One of the most straightforward measures to avoid clogged and blocked drains is flushing large volume of water down the drain. When you run a low amount of water, the debris does not go away. You shall see debris and sediments collect and cause constriction.

When you flush the pipelines with vast water flow, the main drain line becomes apparent. Note that spurting the sinks as well as bathtubs down the drain is helpful to clean the clogs.

10. Pop-Up Stopper In The Bathroom

A pop-up stopper helps you accumulate hair and gunk. You will be free of all the goo with this tool. Nevertheless, do not forget that if you forget to clean it, the sink drains slower. And, when the water moves slowly, there is a risk of having clogs down the drain.

Whenever, you see that the bathroom sink drains slower than usual, have a look at the pop-up stopper and rinse it. A stopper can clip into the pivot rod, or you can have it rest on it. When you fasten the stopper, you need to unfasten the nut residing on the tailpiece (Laying down the sink). And, the pivot rod gets out to free the pop-up. Another way is to put the rod without clipping it to the rod.

Conclusion

With these ten preventive measures to avoid clogged and blocked drains, you shall save time and money avoiding the drainage issues. Nevertheless, it is still possible that the household may face significant plumbing problems. If such a situation occurs, consult a plumber right away.

At iCare Plumbing, we cater to your plumbing needs instantly and offer you quality service at affordable rates. Call us right away.

10 Most Common Residential Plumbing Emergencies & Solutions

Plumbing issues come automatically with owning a home. They come in different forms such as minor issues like a blocked sink, or a major issue like pipe leaks.

It is beneficial to have a brief idea about the different types of residential plumbing emergencies. This will be able to assist you in case an issue arises. Plumbers may be necessary if the issue is an emergency or if it it complex.

10 Most Common Residential Plumbing Emergencies – Their Causes & Solutions

 

1. Slow Sink Drainage

Slow sink drainage is one of the most common residential plumbing issue that you might come across. It occurs from blockage that constricts the flow of water down the drain. You are likely to face this issue mostly in the kitchen but as well as the bathroom. Food scraps and solid fat blocks the sink drain or P-trap. In bathrooms, blockage may occur due to soap and hair.

How to fix slow sink drainage? You could use hot boiling water or use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to pour down the drain/sink. Use water to flush the solution and repeat the method if it does not unclog. Try to unclog the drain using a plunger or plumber’s snake if the clog persists.

Unclogging a Sink Drain With Chemicals:

  • Please follow the directions given on the package and be careful.
  • Use gloves and goggles.
  • Never mix chemicals together.
  • Carefully, pour the given chemicals through the drain.

Note: When used repeatedly, chemicals bring damage to the plumbing pipes, and they can be hazardous to your health. If not handled properly, it can bring further issues.

2. Dripping Faucets and Taps

One of the most common residential plumbing emergencies is a dripping faucet or tap. All households face this issue. Drop by drop, a large quantity of water gets wasted because of this problem. Not only does this cause dampness, but it also increases the water bill.

The faucets at your home must be dripping because of some issue inside the internal washer. The wearing off, stiffening, tear and dislodging is often the culprit here. While you can solve the fault in your taps with the right tools, it is advisable to call a plumber for a proper job.

3. Clogged Shower Drain

While kitchen sinks jam due to food scraps, hardened soap and hair block the bath drains. The mixture of baking soda and vinegar can help you deal with the clog. If not, you can use a plumber’s snake or a plunger to work on it.

When you do not take care of the clog quick, the situation gets worse and may require professional assistance. We recommend you to get a drain guard to get hold of soap and hair.

Using a Plunger to Unclog Bath Drain

  • Use petroleum jelly to seal the suction pad tightly.
  • Pour enough water to submerge the plunger’s end.
  • Plunge powerfully.

4. Low Water Pressure

Often in old homes, there may be low water pressure. You may notice that the water just oozes out from the tap instead of spurting. It is one of the most common residential plumbing emergencies.

The corrosion and wear & tear of leaky pipes are one of the causes of low water pressure. Sometimes, the deposit of sediment and minerals jams the aerators. What you can do is put the aerator in vinegar for cleansing.

If the issue lies in the shower, put the showerhead in baking soda and vinegar or buy a new showerhead.

Using Vinegar For Cleaning A Aerator/ Showerhead

  • Take apart the aerator and clean the dirt in it.
  • Soak a toothbrush in vinegar and scrub the sediments and minerals out.
  • To get the loose matter out, use a toothpick or pin
  • Let the parts soak in vinegar solution for dissolving the other pieces.

5. Constant Running Toilet

You will lose a lot of water with a running toilet. More than hundreds of gallon of water could be lost. The water bill may go up. Often, a faulty flapper valve makes the water drip since it controls the flow of water from the tank to the bowl. You can take this as a DIY project and use a toilet repair kit to fix it yourself.

Sometimes, sediments may affect the filling of water and flushing out. You should inspect for silent leakages if you find that your water bills are increasing. An easy way is to drop food colouring in the tank and observe if it gets to the bowl even when you do not flush.

Call a plumber if you do not find a way out.

6. Toilet Clog

Imagine what a nightmare it is to have your toilet clogged. It creates havoc at the house itself. A toilet clog is one of the most common residential plumbing emergencies across the world. When you flush toilet papers or foreign objects, such an issue may come up. Both human waste and paper can cause it.

This problem can be solved using a plunger or plumber’s snake. You can loosen up the constriction.

Always dispose of non-decomposable products in the dustbin to avoid a clog.

7. Water Heater Failure

You may not notice a water heater failure until you get in the shower and the water is cold. There are different reasons behind a faulty water heater. Perhaps, it is time to relight the pilot light, and that may do it. Or, a sediment build-up may be there in the tank, so you need to fix that. Another reason for such a failure could be a faulty thermostat.

While you can easily relight a pilot light to solve this problem, ask a plumber to fix the water heater if the problem persists.

8. Garbage Disposal Halt

Garbage disposal is an essential appliance. And, jammed disposal is among the most common residential plumbing emergencies. When you do not flush enough water and dispose of food residues like peels of fruits and vegetables, a garbage disposal can halt The jam causes clogging of your sink drain.

A quick and easy fix maybe resetting the machine. If that solution does not help, you must open and see the condition. Call a professional if the procedure appears difficult.

9. Sewer System Backup

Sewer System backups are both messy and cost inducing. This emergency is the most inconvenient of all. When your toilet drain stops working, and there are multiple drains, there is bad odour all around the house. Your life at home will get complicated.

The location of the obstruction shapes the approach to solving it. If the problem exists in your residential property, you are in charge of getting a plumber and fixing it. And, when the blockage happens on the road, call your water company.

If the problem is from the side of your water company, they will have to pay.

The common causes of this problem include dumping diapers, pads and toilet paper down the toilet. And, often people flush grease down their drain. Another reason is the tree roots compressing the pipes leading to a malfunction. Finally, when pipes get older, they may crack or collapse; especially those made from clay or iron.

Avoid putting diapers and pads in the toilet. And, never pour grease in the drain. Call an expert if you think there is piper breakage.

10. Pipe Leakage

The leakage in pipes is a common residential plumbing emergencies. The dampness from the leak may cause insects’ infestations and harm your furniture and other property.

Mostly, leaks occur in pipe joints. Compounds, fillers and tape are temporary remedies, but you will have to invest in a fitting or piece of pipe for a more durable solution.

During winter, water expands due to low temperature and pipes might burst.

Preventing Pipe Bursts During Winter

  • Put the thermostat to the equal temperature during day and night.
  • When the temperature goes lower, let cold water out from the faucets of exposed pipes. This method can help you prevent freezing.

When Do I Call A Professional Plumber?

Sometimes, you may do more harm than good by trying to fix the plumbing issue yourself. And, things may go wrong when you wait too long. DIY methods often work, but you need professional help for complicated situations.

The leakages may disturb your life and property. And, the health of your family could be at stake.

When the situation feels too confusing to handle, call a professional. We realise that the cost goes up when you get the plumber but look at the bright side; you will be free of the trouble once and for all. Also, the situation gets under control with proper inspection and plan implementation.

Remember us at iCare Plumbing, for a fix at affordable prices.

How To Unclog a Sink?

A clogged sink drain is a big problem which often leaves us feeling powerless, at home.

While you may want to call the Plumber at once to solve such issue, there are a variety of ways you could try to unclog your sink drain based on your home plumbing. Even so, before jumping into vigorous measures, we recommend trying the gentle remedies to avoid any irreparable damages.

10 Easy Ways You Can Try To Unclog The Sink Drain

1. Use Hot, Boiling Water

Using boiling water to clean your sink drain does not cost you a penny, and it is the easiest. All you need to do is boil a pot or kettle filled with water on a stove. When, the water reaches the boiling point, pour all the water in the sink. Remember to get rid of the standing water before you do this.

In case the water does not go through the sink, wait for it to cool. Try again after removing it. Repeat the process of boiling water, and pour it. Note that you might have to pour hot water many times to get rid of the sink drain. Boiling water method is useful for different stoppage issues. This method is one of the ten easy ways you can try to unclog the sink drain.

2. Check Your Garbage Disposal

Often, the stoppage in garden disposal causes the sink drain to come to a halt. You should turn on the disposal to find out if that is the problem. If it clears the clog, you are good to go. But, you need to inspect it to see if it is working correctly.

When there is overheating in the disposal, turn around the switch on the side or beneath the sink.

3. Use Boiling Water With Salt

First, remove the standing water at the sink. Pour a half cup of table salt into the drain. Then, dispense the hot, boiling water. Wait for it to sit for some time and use hot water to clear whatever remains of the previous mixture.

4. Use Baking Soda And Vinegar

Did boiling water not work? Do not worry; you may use baking soda with vinegar. It is an excellent remedy that is available at home.

This method is similar to that of using boiling water with salt. After the removal of standing water, dispense a cup of baking soda down the drain and pour apple cider vinegar or plain vinegar. You will see bubbles for some time, and they will vanish. Later, flush the mixture with just hot, boiling water. And, wait for five to seven minutes. This way, the blockages will disappear. Repeat the process as per requirement.

5. Using Salt And Baking Soda

The salt and baking soda approach are among the ten easy ways you can try to unclog the sink drain. Prepare a mixture of salt (Half-cup) with baking soda (full cup).
Flush it down the sink drain. Make sure to pour hot water to clear the clog. You must repeat the process if it does not work at first try.

6. Plungers

Another one of the ten easy ways you can try to unclog the sink drain is using plungers. You should unclog your drain manually with the help of the plunger. Please remember that there is a right plunger for different sink drains. For instance, we cannot unclog the small sink drains in the kitchen with a toilet plunger. A small plunger can only do the work.

There are cup plungers for tiny sink drains.

If the above methods appear futile, use a plunger to unclog your sink drain. Find a plunger in the house. You must seal off the other side of the sink if you have a double sink.

Use a stopper for this. You may use wet cloth too.

First, make a tight seal on the plunger. Apply petroleum jelly to the plunger’s rim to tighten the seal. Pour an adequate amount of water on the side of the sink that you want to plunge. Remember to cover the plunger’s bell while doing the job. Now, put the plunger’s mouth over the sink drain and plunge powerfully.

If you hear the sound of suction that signals the clearing of a clog, you may remove the plunger. At last, dispense hot water down the drain. You should repeat the process as per necessity.

7. Clean The P-Trap

Cleaning the P-Trap is among the ten easy ways you can try to unclog the sink drain. In case the soda and vinegar did not help you in unclogging sink drain, clean the P-Trap. You do not have to call a professional for this job.

Many times, there is some debris or water trapped in the P-Trap of the drain. The P-Trap lies on the curve of the piper underneath the sink. It is pretty easy to clean it. You will find it in a cabinet. Remove the contents in the P-trap and begin your work.

Put a bucket or bowl to collect any debris/ water before you unfasten it. After you clear out the stuck items, use water to clean it. Make the replacement and see if the clog is over.

8. Plumber’s Snake/ Augers

We call the Plumber’s snake as auger too. It is one of the ten easy ways you can try to unclog the sink drain. They are available at all the hardware stores so you may get one. This handy tool helps to clean the things stuck down the drain system. For this, you need to first disassemble the sink’s drainpipe along with the P-Trap. Carefully separate the two parts.

The P-trap is the curved pipe beneath the kitchen sink. It collects the debris that comes to the pan. After this, you find the stub out piper, empty it, and the work begins. You insert the Plumber’s snake inside the pipe and start the job.

You shall feel a pressure to disband the clog. You could puncture the plumbing pipes, so do it gently.

9. Coat Hanger

If there is no plumber’s snake at your home, you should make use of a coat hanger similarly. This tool is among the ten easy ways you can try to unclog the drain. First, straighten up the wire coat hanger. It is shorter than Plumber’s snake, so it might not reach as deeper as the other tool. However, it helps clean some of the clogs.

Put the hanger inside the kitchen drain. Or, use the stub-out pipe to get rid of the clog by pushing or pulling. Do it gently and avoid scratching the sink.
To get rid of odour, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar regularly. Use equal parts of both items and use them for daily cleaning.

Before you flush it with water, wait for some time. If you do not have baking soda or vinegar at home, you can use lemon juice as a substitute.

10. Dish Detergent

Another method that falls in the list of ten easy ways you can try to unclog sink drain is pouring dish detergent through it. The dish detergent helps to lubricate the pipe, and it is excellent at tarnishing the residual items. You may use the plunger to remove what remains later. Or, use rubber gloves and remove the clog with your hands. Check to see if the method worked. Wait for a few minutes and repeat it.

Why Are The Sink Drains Clogging?

Old house, old pipes

Older homes with older pipes are more susceptible to leakage and clogging. Slime attaches to the frail walls inside, and it remains in the surface.

What you could do is find out which pipes face the most blockages at home. This way, you do not have to get the re-plumb the whole house.

Piping in certain spots will suffice.

You could get an installation system to supervise the flow of water and leakages.

Ventilation Issue

If your drain plumbing does not receive proper ventilation, there will be clogs. When you find that there is slow drain most of the times and waters come up via the plughole, the plumbing vents may have some blockage.

Extra Tips To Prevent Clogged Sink Drains

Like they say prevention is better than cure, why not avoid the situation of getting sink drain clog on the first place. Do not overload the garbage disposal in your kitchen.

Put food items gradually, and only a small amount at a time. Make sure they grind well and pass through before making any addition.

Avoid putting coffee residues, fat and oil through the sink drain.

And, flush the items with plenty of water after using it. Maintenance is essential for the health of the sink drain.

You may establish a routine to use a dry/ wet vacuum every week or month. The dry/ wet vacuum cleans dry dirt and liquid waste too. These tools are excellent for throwing out the blockage at the top. Make sure you use the most vigorous suction for this.

Always try these simple methods before calling for a professional. It will save you money and time.

Conclusion

While they let you save your money, DIY methods may not be a hundred per cent effective. It is always great to have a challenging project at home, but we need to make sure that we cause no permanent damage.

If the problem persists even after using all these methods, you must consult a professional.

At iCare plumbing, we offer you prompt hassle-free services at affordable prices. Call us now.

How to Find a Reliable Plumber in Sydney, Australia – call us!

We are the local Sydney plumber you can turn to. Our Sydney plumbing services have been operating as the local plumbers for eastern suburbs such as Centenial Park, Bondi Junction, Randwick, Woolahra, and Edgecliff for over 20 years.

If you are tired of finding a plumber to mend the clogged pipes and leaking taps in your plumbing system, then search no more, because we can provide all your plumbing needs and fix problems for once and for all.

We’ve been helping people with their plumbing for so long, we’ve even compiled a list of the types of ways people have contacted us over the years, in their search to just try and find a reliable plumber. How times change!

Top 5 ways people have searched for our plumbing services

Even with a population of 5.23 million in the capital city, customers have told us how hard it can be to find reliable and professional Sydney plumbers.

People have found us in a number of different ways. For example, they’ve used:

  • Google Searches
  • Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter
  • Email
  • Phone Directories
  • Personal Recommendations

Google Searches

In this era of digitalisation and digital marketing, most people use Google. Google is the best and easiest way to look for a plumbing company. One of the most common ways people do this is just to type in the thing which is most top-of-mind. For example if a pipe has broken, water is gushing into the house and you need plumbing repairs NOW, you don’t want to think too hard. Just type in ’emergency plumber’ and call the first number that appears (or alternately, search for us by name!).

Social media

Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are the next most popular way find us. You can look for plumbers nearby your area by searching through any of these. Customers tend to use these more for when they are researching for jobs and projects, not reacting to immediate problems.

This is our facebook page. Check out some of our great customer feedback, and some of the recent work we’ve done: https://www.facebook.com/icareplumbingsydney

Email

Email is a very good way to discuss quotes or other jobs that are not time sensitive. We’ve had email threads that have gone back and forth for weeks, months, even years in order to fine tune details before a planned plumbing job even starts.

Our email address is service@icareplumbing.com.au.

Phone Directories

The seriously old school way of finding a plumber is going through the contact numbers in the yellow pages of a phone book. Like Google, Yellow Pages can get you in direct contact with the service provider or a pipe fitter. These days, Yellow Pages has transitioned to the digital age with online marketing, but the old books that used to get delivered every year have gone the way of the dinosaur

Personal Recommendations

We always love when a customer refers someone to us. There is something very gratifying and humbling when this happens. What better way to find out about a plumbing company (or any company!) than from someone who has used their services before and was happy with the results?

Professional Plumber in Sydney: your one-stop shop

Any household in Australia can face plumbing problems for which hiring a professional plumber is essential.

Especially for plumbing emergencies you want to know that who you are calling is a professional plumber, and not some backyard hack who thinks he’s a plumber because he’s changed a couple of taps.

We are one of the leading plumbing service providers in Sydney. Read some of our reviews, or look for us in business directories like yellowpages.co.au, australianplanet.au, aussiweb.com.au, australiaonlineadvertising.com.au, and aussie-hours.com.

You can also find us in:

  • truelocal.com.au
  • womo.com.au
  • superpages.com.au
  • au.enrollbusiness.com
  • showmelocal.com

Get in touch today for any plumbing problems, or to discuss you new project. We are the most reliable plumber you will find!

7 Most Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them

Plumbing problems arise in different sorts and sizes, from fixable issues to major expensive repairs. It can be a dripping faucet, a clogging toilet, a significant pipe leakage, and many others.

Today in this article, we discuss seven common plumbing problems and ways to fix them. Using these methods, minimal problems can be easily prevented and fixed.

7 Most Common Plumbing Problems

The seven issues faced in a regular household are:

  1. Dripping Faucets,
  2. Slow Draining Sinks,
  3. Clogged Bathroom or Shower Drains,
  4. Running Toilet
  5. Leakage in Pipes,
  6. Sewer System Backup, and
  7. Faulty Water Heater.

Below we discuss the points mentioned above in brief.

Dripping Faucets

It’s the most common issue in every household, and almost everybody has experienced it. It’s not just the problem is irritating, but it also raises the water bill. A dripping faucet means loss of gallons of water in a year.

Dripping Faucet
Dripping Faucet in the Kitchen

This problem is usually found in the internal washer where the pipes have become stiff, worn, and torn. The issues can be easily but require the appropriate plumbing tools like a slide wrench and pliers, to name a few.

Slow Draining Sinks

The problem generally arises when there is a clog in the kitchen or bathroom sinks. The drains may be lodged with hair, small objects, and food wastes that cause the draining slower.

It can be easily fixed by a plunger, pouring vinegar and baking soda into the sink, or by chemicals. If the problem isn’t taken care of in its early stage, the drain will completely be blocked.

Using Chemicals

  1. Read the instructions in the package 0f the chemical and use just the right amount,
  2. Be sure to wear safety glasses and gloves,
  3. Don’t mix the chemicals unless directed to, and
  4. Pour the chemical down the drain.

Clogged Shower or Bathroom Drain

Shower drains in bathrooms usually get clogged with hair and grease of soap. The blockage can be cleared by using a toilet plunger or apply the same steps as above.

How to use a toilet plunger?

  1. Apply petroleum jelly at the edge of the suction pads of the plunger,
  2. Ensure the toilet is filled with water for the plunger to be submerged, and
  3. Apply rigorous force.

Running Toilets

Running toilet means loss of 200 gallons of water daily. In such a case, first, check the faulty flapper valve that controls the water passing into the tank from the bowl.

Running Toilets
Running Toilets

It can also be caused by sediments forming which affect the flushing and filling. It can be fixed with toilet repair kits available at regular hardware stores.

Leakage in Pipes

Leakage in pipes can damage floors and furniture, and the dampness it leaves invites bugs, mostly cockroaches. Leaks usually occur at the joints.

Smaller leaks can be fixed by applying tapes, fillers, and compounds.

Leaks are most common in winter when water freezes and expands, causing the pipes to burst.

Preventing Pipes from bursting in Winter

  • Allow the cold water to drip from the faucet continuously, and
  • Set the thermostat temperature at the same for both day and night.

Sewer System Backup

Sewer system backup is very nasty and a nightmare. The smell from the sewer is unbearable and inconvenient. If the household is suffering from multiple drain clogging and running toilets, then the backup is the problem.

Three main causes of this problem are:

  1. First, the primary sewer is clogged,
  2. Tree roots might have got inside the drainage pipes, and
  3. Lastly, the main sewer may have collapsed and damaged.

Fixing this issue depends on the position of the blockage. If it’s within your property, you need to hire a plumber to fix the pipes. If it’s on the road, then the water supplying company should fix it.

Faulty Water Heater

This issue is not noticed until you step into the bathroom for a shower, and the water suddenly turns cold. Several reasons can lead to problems in the water heater.

The main light might have gone out, and you might have to witch it on manually. Sediments formed at the base of the tank can also cause the problem. The thermostat might also be faulty.

Plumber fixing a faulty water heater
Plumber fixing a faulty water heater

In most cases, usually, a professional is required to fix problems related to a water heater.

For problems related to plumbing and pipes, please contact, icareplumbing.com.au.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Different Plumbing Materials

As years passed by, the science and art of plumbing has evolved.  It started with terra cotta pipes in 1700 B.C, and now a building is incomplete without a PEX pipe technology. If it weren’t for the plumbers and people related in this profession, the urban areas would have flooded by now.

Today in the article, we discuss all the advantages and disadvantages of pipe technologies and different materials used in our household.

PEX Pipe

Commonly known as cross-linked polyethylene, XPE or PEX pipes is the most common form of polyethylene with cross-links available in the market. This type of plumbing materials is commonly used in buildings, heating and cooling systems domestic water piping, insulating electric cables, and in the transportation of sewage.

PEX pipes
PEX pipes

Advantage

  • Flexibility – The flexibility of the PEX pipes allows the plumbers to avoid obstacles while installation.
  • Speed – The speed in installing such pipes takes less time as they are of the compression type.
  • Non-corrodible – Unlike the former copper pipes, these materials don’t get destroyed by moisture and minerals.

Disadvantages

  • Degrades from Sunlight – The materials of PEX can be exposed to sunlight as it causes degradation. Before the installation, the pipes must be stored away from the daylight and needs from sunlight.
  • Unsafe from Insects and Rodents – It is fed on by plant-feeding insects and rodents, and may cause leakage in the pipes.
  • Fitting Expense – The price of laying a PEX pipe is comparatively expensive to copper pipes. The flexibility of the pipe requires fewer fittings which causes an increase in its costing.

Cast Iron Pipe

In the past, in the 1960s, cast iron pipes were the extensively used plumbing system in the household area. Its a grey coloured cast-iron tube and was earlier uncoated. Later the coatings and linings improved hydraulics and reduced corrosion.

Cast Iron Pipes
Cast Iron Pipes

Benefits

  • The pipes were cheap.
  • Easy to install.
  • Strength to withstand pressure.

Drawbacks

  • Easily caught rust.
  • Metallic taste in the water.

Cast Iron Pipes are no longer in use.

Copper Pipes

In the United States, it is the most used plumbing materials. As the name suggests it is made of copper and is harder than PEX pipes.

Advantages of Copper pipes

  • Durability and stability
  • Can be used outdoors for both underground and roof setting.
  • Copper resists the growth of bacteria in water and helps ensures the healthiness of drinking water.
  • High melting point and can be sued to supply hot water.
Copper Iron pipes
Copper Iron pipes

Disadvantages

  • Copper pipes are expensive as copper is costly.
  • Requires soldering tools while installation and a trained plumber.
  • Can corrode if the water is acidic.
  • Has a slightly metallic taste.

PVC Pipe

Besides copper pipes, PEX pipes are also amongst the most commonly used plumbing materials in the residential drainage water system. Its is used for irrigation, cooling fluids, drinking water, chemicals, and vacuum system applications.

PVC pipes
PVC pipes

Advantages

  • Made of stable and inert materials.
  • Corrosion-proof.
  • Cheap and easy to install.
  • Minimal tools required to install PVC at homes.

Disadvantages

  • Very brittle, can crack or break if miss-handled.
  • Can’t be used to supply water at houses and should be kept away from ovens or furnaces.

CPVC Pipe

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipes are the most used after PVCs in residential areas. It was invented to handle the temperature that a PVC couldn’t and is relatively stronger than a regular PVC.

Plus Points

  • Can be used to supply hot water as it withstands high temperature than PVC.
  • Doesn’t corrode.
  • Lesser time to install.

    CPVC pipe fittings
    CPVC pipe fittings

Downside

  • Can’t withstand higher temperatures like copper pipes.
  • Brittle.
  • Expensive than PVC.

For more information, on pipes, plumbing, and assistance please visit icareplumbing.com.au.

8 Easy Steps to Clear a Clogged Shower Drain

Before considering hiring an expert professional plumber for your clogged shower drain, it is always advisable to try fixing them yourselves. Numerous shower drain problems, clogging, and other plumbing difficulties can be resolved by using simple, easy steps.

Once the problem’s solved there are few likely chances for it occur again. Below the article summarises eight easy steps to clear a clogged shower drain.

8 Easy Steps to Clear a Clogging Shower Drain

There are several steps in which one can personally unclog a shower drain. The problem might have been caused by hair getting hair inside the drain or smaller objects, etc.

Some easy ways to get rid of the coagulation in your shower drain are:

8. Pour Hot Water down the Shower Drain

The first step to remove the residue forming in the pipe is to pour hot boiling water down the drain and clear the blockade.

Steps to Unclog Shower Drain with Hot Water

  • Boil water on a stove or an electric heater,
  • Pour the water down the shower drain, and
  • Try using a funnel while pouring the water.

Hot water may not remove all the grease and hair in case of a severe blockage but may open up a few gaps and may completely be removed in addition to the other steps.

7. Use Vinegar or Baking Soda from the Kitchen

This homemade solution is the best alternative to using chemicals in the household.

Use Baking Soda from Kitchen
Use Baking Soda from Kitchen

How to use Vinegar and Baking Soda?

  • Pour a cup of vinegar through the shower drain,
  • Wait for a few minutes,
  • Pour a cup of baking soda in the drain,
  • Wait to see if the clogged hair in the pipes gets dissolved, and
  • Clear out the drainage system by pouring hot water through it.

Although this natural homemade remedy is advisable and won’t do damage to the plumbing, you may still have to use chemicals.

6. Remove the Drain Cover and Pull Out Clog Manually

This method can help clear the residue formation and clog, but you might have to use your hand, so wear rubber gloves.

Unclogging the Bathroom drain with Hands

  • First, remove the drain cover,
  • Some drain covers have screw amidst them which might need to be loosened up,
  • Check the drain for the clog formation,
  • If the residue is within reach, use your hand or else use a hook to pull out the clog.

It’s effective in fixing minor clogs caused by the hair but can’t help remove the obstruction caused by a mineral build-up. In that case, use chemicals.

5. Use a Hook

Its oldest method in the book to clear a clogged shower drain with a high success rate.

Using a Hook to Clear a Drain

  • In case you can’t reach the blockage with your hand, then try pulling it out using a wire or a hook, and
  •  Improvise a coat hanger or any other available tool, making it look like a hook.

This step doesn’t’ work in case of mineral coagulation in the drainage system.

4. Use a Toilet Jack or an Electric Eel (Plumber’s Snake)

Another cheap and DIY step in fixing blockage in the shower drains using a plumber’s snake. This tool is slender, and flexible auger generally used to dislodge clogs in the pipes.

How to use a Toilet Jack?

  • Shove the plumber’s snake down the drain until you hit the clog,
  • Turn the handle and pull it back, and
  • Run boiling water or regular water to check the drain.

However, if the obstruction is caused by tree roots than using just an electric eel isn’t enough to remove the clog.

3. Use of Toilet Chemicals

Usually, most supermarkets and hardware stores sell very strong chemicals which are effective in opening up a clog.

Chemicals to clear Shower Drain Clogs
Chemicals to clear Shower Drain Clogs

Unclogging Drain with toxic Chemicals:

  • Read the instructions in the package of the chemical and make sure to use just enough,
  • Always wear glasses and gloves while using chemicals,
  • Don’t mix the chemicals, as it may emit poisonous gases, and
  • Pour the chemicals down the shower drain.

Always consider before using chemicals as it may also cause serious to your plumbings system in the bathroom. However, their use may lead to easy and quick removal of the residue.

2. Try Using a Plunger

A plunger can be used to remove the clog, but it only works in case of minor blockage. Plunging might not be effective in case of deep clogs made with hair.

How to Unclog a Drain using a Toilet Plunger?

  • First, apply petroleum jelly to the edge of the suction of the plunger to get a better seal,
  • Pour water into the shower drain, so the plunger is underwater, and
  • Plunge with all the force.

Despite the effort, this step is quite unlikely to work in case of a shower drain, but the cost is minimal and time-efficient.

1. Call a Plumber

The last and the final step is always to call a professional for fixing your toiletry problems.

For information on plumbing and drainage problems do visit icareplumbing.com.au.