10 Plumbing Myths About Blocked Drains That Canberra Residents Still Believe

Myth 1: Flushing Anything is Safe if it "Dissolves"

Those "flushable" wipes? Total rubbish.

They don't break down like toilet paper does. Neither do paper towels, cotton buds, or whatever else seems small enough to flush. Canberra's plumbing systems are old.

Some areas still have clay pipes from the 60s. Tree roots love finding the tiniest crack, then your wet wipes make it worse. Only toilet paper goes down the toilet.

Everything else goes in the bin. Simple as that.

Myth 2: Boiling Water Always Clears Drains

Seen people pour boiling water down the sink every week? Might shift some grease for a bit, but you're probably wrecking your PVC pipes.

Older Canberra houses especially. That hot water weakens joints, melts seals, creates bigger problems down the track.

Real plumbers use proper gear. Hydro jetting, cameras to actually see what's happening. Not just chucking hot water at it and hoping.

Myth 3: Baking Soda and Vinegar Fix Everything

Your nan's favourite trick with baking soda and white vinegar? Works great for cleaning the sink. Useless for actual blockages.

Won't touch grease clogs, won't shift foreign objects the kids flushed, definitely won't stop tree roots.

It's a quick clean at best. When you've got real drainage problems, you need someone who knows what they're doing.

Myth 4: Only Old Homes Experience Blocked Drains

Brand new place in Gungahlin? Can still get blocked drains. Builders leave stuff in pipes. Landscapers plant trees too close. First big rain and your drains are stuffed.

Doesn't matter if your house is 50 years old or fixed up last week. Regular maintenance catches problems before they get expensive. Check the overflow relief gully, test water flow, basic stuff that saves hassle later.

Myth 5: Tree Roots Only Affect External Pipes

Tree roots don't just mess with your main sewer line. They'll find any crack, any joint, work their way into pipes under your house.

Those gurgling sounds from the bathroom? Could be roots in your indoor plumbing. Clay pipes, old PVC, doesn't matter.

Roots find a way in. Ignore it and you're looking at serious repairs. These days, professionals can fix blocked drains without digging using advanced pipe relining or jetting methods.

Myth 6: Chemical Drain Cleaners Solve Every Blockage

"That stuff from Bunnings might dissolve some organic matter but won't touch an actual blockage. Kid's toy stuck? Solidified grease? Forget it.

When it comes to plunger vs chemical cleaners vs hydro jet, there’s no contest. Professional hydro jetting clears drains safely and completely.

Those chemicals can wreck your pipes, eat through water seals, and cause leaks or mould growth. We’ve seen toilets where the cleaner ate through everything except the actual clog."

Myth 7: Slow Drains Can Be Ignored

"It's still draining, just takes longer." Famous last words. Slow drain today, overflowing shower tomorrow.

The early signs of blocked drains before they overflow. Most people wait until it's completely blocked, then it's an emergency.

As soon as you notice slow running water, that's when to fix it, not when you're standing in ankle-deep soapy water during your morning shower.

Myth 8: DIY Drain Repairs Are Cheaper

YouTube makes everyone think they're a plumber. Then they push the blockage further down, flood the floor, make everything worse.

Seen people spend hundreds on tools, still can't fix it, then pay us anyway. When it comes to DIY vs professional plumbing, the difference shows. Proper plumbers have the right gear.

High pressure jetters, cameras, stuff that actually works.

Cheaper to call us first than after you've made a mess, especially when you consider the real cost to fix blocked drains once DIY repairs go wrong.

Myth 9: Blocked Drains Are Not an Urgent Issue

"Just a slow drain, no big deal." Until it backs up, floods your bathroom, ruins the floor. Or worse, sewage starts coming up through the shower.

That's a health hazard, not just a plumbing problem. Blocked drains don't fix themselves.

They get worse. Water damage, insurance company claims, all because someone didn't want to deal with it early.

Myth 10: Preventive Maintenance Isn't Necessary

"If it's not broken, why fix it?" Because by the time it breaks, it's expensive. Regular maintenance finds problems before they're problems.

Check valves, test water pressure, clean drains before they clog. Annual check costs bugger all compared to emergency call outs.

Your hot water system, gas connections, all need looking at. Small valve problem now, gas leak later. Which would you rather pay for?

Preventing Blocked Drains in Canberra

• Stop putting grease down the sink. Sounds obvious but people still do it. Let it cool, chuck it in the bin.
• Get your drains checked yearly. CCTV inspection finds problems you can't see.
• Maintain that overflow relief gully. First thing to check when water flow goes weird.
• Check toilet components actually work. Water seal intact? Flush properly?
• Tell everyone in the house what not to flush. Kids especially.
• Works better than waiting for disaster. Your plumbing system lasts longer, fewer blockages, less money on repairs.