With the increase in home renovation shows like The Block and House Rules, more and more people are turning to DIY repairs instead of calling a licensed plumber. While most DIY repairs are well intentioned, attempting to repair a Sydney blocked drain could mean that you are breaking the law. People spend many years training to become a licensed plumber and there are numerous rules and laws regulating the plumbing industry. Here’s what you need to know before attempting DIY blocked drain repairs at your Sydney property.
Blocked drain repairs that are illegal
The New South Wales plumbing industry is governed by both national and state legislation including the Plumbing Code of Australia and Plumbing and Drainage Act NSW 2011. These statutes define what constitutes “plumbing and drainage” work as well as the type of person who is authorised to perform such work.
In summary, Section 4 defines “plumbing and drainage work” as the construction, maintenance or alteration of any plumbing or drainage infrastructure (e.g. pipes, fittings, etc) up to the point of connection where that infrastructure joins to a water supply (e.g. public water supply service, water tank, etc), public sewerage network or an on-site sewage management system (e.g. septic tank). Section 6 of the NSW Act goes on to state that all plumbing and drainage work must be carried out by a licensed, certified plumber.
If these conditions are not adhered to, not only has the work been done illegally, it also won’t be eligible for a compliance certificate. Compliance certificates show that any plumbing or drainage work performed meets the Australian standards for safety and quality. Only a fully licensed, certified and qualified plumbing professional is able to carry out compliant plumbing work. Furthermore, DIY plumbing work without a compliance certificate is not covered by insurance if something goes wrong.
DIY blocked drain repairs that are legal
Not all DIY blocked drain repairs are illegal. When dealing with minor blockages such as food scraps in the kitchen sink drain, there are a few things you can try before calling a licensed Sydney plumber. The below techniques are unlikely to fall within the scope of Section 4, because they do not require you to directly touch or alter the drainage infrastructure.
1. Plunging
If you have a blocked sink or blocked toilet you can try to dislodge the clog using a plunger. Plungers can be purchased at most hardware stores and they are easy to use. Ensure you buy the right plunger for the type of drain you are attempting to unblock. An accordion plunger or a flange plunger is suitable for unclogging a blocked toilet whereas a cup plunger is designed for use on blocked sink drains. Click here for more information on correct plunging techniques.
2. Drain chemicals
It’s perfectly legal for homeowners to purchase drain cleaning chemicals and pour them down a blocked drain. However, licensed plumbers never recommend using drain chemicals. The effectiveness of drain chemicals is questionable, they are terrible for the environment, dangerous for the person using them and can damage your pipes. Eco-friendly alternatives are available, yet most online reviews suggest that they take a long time to work - if they work at all.
3. Homemade drain cleaning solutions
There are plenty of youtube tutorial and articles online that provide homemade drain cleaning remedies. The most popular of these is bicarbonate soda and vinegar, which creates a fizzing chemical reaction that can dislodge minor clogs. There is no harm in giving this a try but it will only work on very minor blockages rather larger blocked drain issues.
Eight more reasons why you should hire a Sydney blocked drain plumber:
Drainage plumbers use CCTV drain inspection cameras to accurately determine the true cause of the blocked drain. Correct diagnosis means the plumber can provide timely repairs that actually work.
Sydney blocked drain experts have the tools to repair the issue quickly. Jet blasting can repair the majority of blocked drains and blocked sewers in under an hour. The pressurised streams of water blast through clogs and clean the length of the pipe in the process.
DIY blocked drain repairs are not covered by insurance. If you attempt to repair a drain yourself and something goes wrong, your insurance policy will not cover the damage because DIY repairs are not compliant with Australian Safety Standards.
Some DIY efforts are never going to work because it’s impossible to fix certain types of blocked drains without specialist drainage technology. For example, if the blocked drain in caused by a collapsed sewer pipe, no amount of plunging will resolve the issue.
Jet blasting is safer for your pipes. Pouring drain cleaning chemicals down the offending drain is the most common DIY method used by homeowners to unclog a blocked drain. However, drain cleaning chemicals are corrosive and can cause irreparable damage to your plumbing pipes, particularly if you live in an older home with fragile metal or clay pipes.
DIY drain repairs can be incredibly dangerous, especially when using chemical drain cleaners. Drain cleaning chemicals are poisonous and can burn your skin if you come into contact with it. Even breathing in the noxious fumes is harmful to your health. Never pour chemicals down the drain and then attempt to plunge as this can result in the chemicals splashing back at you.
It’s more hygienic. DIY blocked drain repairs can get messy, particularly when dealing with a clogged toilet or sewer. Untreated sewage contains harmful diseases and bacteria that can make people very ill. It’s better to let the experts deal with this kind of issue.
It can prevent unnecessary damage to your home. If your DIY attempts go wrong or you’re dealing with a major blockage, the longer you wait before calling an expert plumber the greater the risk of damage to your home. A blocked sewer can result in sewage back-flow and wastewater seeping out of multiple drains in the home, causing lasting water damage to the floors and carpets.
Need a Sydney blocked drain plumber?
If you require the services of a Sydney blocked drain expert, call JAB Plumbing Solutions today. We use the latest drain diagnostic tools and high-pressure jet blasting machines to repair clogged drains. Our friendly plumbers can schedule an obligation free quote at a time that’s convenient to you. All of our plumbers are hand-picked and trained by the owner of the business. This is why we can guarantee exceptional service and results every time. Call 1800 225 552.
RELATED ARTICLES:
