Unblocking Blocked Drains in Apartment Buildings

Common Causes of Blocked Drains in Apartments

Blocked drains are a common plumbing issue in apartment buildings. Some of the most frequent causes include:

• Buildup of hair, soap scum, and other debris in pipes. Showers and sinks see a lot of use, allowing gunk to accumulate over time.
• Improper disposal of fats, oils, and grease down the drain. These can stick to pipe walls and restrict flow.
• Flushing unsuitable items like wipes, cotton balls, and dental floss which get tangled in pipes.
• Tree roots growing into exterior sewer lines. Roots seek water sources and can slowly invade cracks.
• Deterioration of old pipes allowing ruptures, leaks, and blockages.

Tenants are responsible for clearing clogs inside their units. But shared drainage stacks require building managers to address common line issues. Staying on top of maintenance with drain screens, enzyme treatments, and professional hydrojetting can help minimise major backups and damage.

Determining Responsibility for Clearing Blockages

In apartment buildings, responsibility for clearing drain blockages depends on where the clog occurs:

• Tenants are responsible for clearing any clogs that happen inside their apartment units. This includes sinks, showers, toilets, and other drains within the unit’s walls.
• Building management and maintenance staff are responsible for clearing clogs in shared or common pipes. This includes main sewer lines, stacks, and other drainage infrastructure shared between units.

If a clog starts in one unit but backs up into shared pipes, both the tenant and building staff may need to work together to fully clear it. Preventative maintenance like drain screens, professional hydrojetting of common lines, and proper disposal can help minimise blockages.

Preventing Blockages with Regular Maintenance

Implementing regular maintenance is one of the most effective ways to prevent drain clogs in apartment buildings. Simple steps like installing drain screens and enzyme treatments can capture debris before it causes backups. According to the Census Bureau, nearly 1 in 4 households experience plumbing issues each year, but proactive maintenance significantly reduces this risk.

Professional hydrojetting to clear pipes is recommended every 12-24 months in apartment buildings. High pressure water jets scour the pipe walls, removing built up gunk. Hydrojetting can address blockages before they happen and prolong the life of drainage infrastructure.

Annual drain camera inspections also help spot potential problems like cracks or root invasion. Catching issues early is key to avoiding major pipe failures, flooding, and costly emergency repairs down the road.

Educating tenants on proper disposal of fats, oils, grease, and food waste is equally important. Avoid pouring grease down sinks and remind residents to scrape plates into the trash before washing. Proper garbage disposal use can also lower clog risks.

With vigilant maintenance and resident education, apartment buildings can minimise plumbing headaches. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to avoiding blocked drains and back ups.

Professional Methods for Clearing Clogs

Professional plumbers have several effective methods for clearing blocked drains in apartments:

Plumber’s Snakes

Also called drain augers, plumber’s snakes are flexible steel cables with a spiral wire tip used to dislodge clogs. The cable feeds down the pipe and the tip grabs debris, pulling it back out.

Snakes come in different sizes for sinks, toilets, main lines, etc. They can clear obstructions like hair, grease, and small objects.

Powered Augers

For tougher clogs, powered augers provide extra force. They use drums that rotate the cable to help slice through stubborn blockages. Statistics from Roto-Rooter show over 80% of their drain clearing service calls employ powered auger machines.

High-Pressure Water Jetting

Hydrojetting or water jet drain cleaning uses extremely high-pressure water to scour pipe interiors. Hoses are fed down to the clog and jets of water at up to 4,000 PSI blast away buildup. According to the DOW Chemical Company, hydrojetting can remove up to 98% of material lining drains.

In apartment buildings, hydrojetting of main sewer lines should occur every 12-18 months. For serious blockages, a combination of augering and hydrojetting often proves most effective.

Having professional grade equipment and expertise gives plumbers an advantage over DIY methods when tackling severely clogged drains. Their techniques help avoid pipe damage while restoring proper flow. When over-the-counter liquid drain cleaners fail, calling a professional plumber to employ mechanical clearing methods can get your drains working again.

Importance of Maintenance to Prevent Damage

Regular maintenance is crucial for preventing severe plumbing issues and expensive damage from chronic blocked drains in apartment buildings. A proactive approach can help avoid backups, flooding, pipe deterioration, and even public health hazards.

Simple steps like installing hair catchers and drain screens, treating pipes with enzyme cleaners, and educating residents on proper disposal habits allow apartment managers to tackle problems before they escalate. Professional hydrojetting every 12-18 months is highly recommended for maintaining clear main sewer and stack lines.

According to a US Water Systems Council survey, almost 25% of Americans have experienced a household plumbing disaster like flooding, backups, or burst pipes in the past year. But taking preventative measures can reduce this risk significantly. Statistics show routine drain cleaning decreases clogs by 92% and hydrojetting can keep pipes sediment-free for 12-18 months.

At Bella Vista Plumbing, we specialise in scheduled maintenance programmes tailored to optimise drainage systems and plumbing infrastructure in all types of buildings. Our expertise and quality equipment gives us a thorough understanding of common issues in apartments and condos.

Don’t wait until you have a plumbing emergency on your hands. Protect your property and residents by partnering with our team for proactive maintenance today. We service the greater Sydney area and are ready to handle all your apartment plumbing needs - just give us a call.