Q: I have a blockage in my drain. How do I identify whether it is Sewage or Storm water.

A: House hold sewage typically contains everything from used water and solid wastes. These products can come from the bathroom, kitchen, toilet and laundry.
Stormwater is rainwater that comes from roofs and driveways that does not infiltrate or evaporate into the ground. Instead it enters through to the storm water drainage system.

Q: What is a sign of a blocked drain?

A: There are a few signs to look out for if your drain is blocked e.g. if your sink, shower, laundry or bath water doesn't go down or if your toilet water rises. If the blockage isn't located in the waste pipes (the pipes that lead out to the gully trap), it will most likely be in the sewer line where you may notice that your gully trap will be over flowing.

Q: What is a gully trap?

A: A gully trap is a fitting designed to prevent foul air escaping the drainage system and is used to receive the discharge from the waste pipes. Gully traps are normally located outside wedged to the house.

Q: My gully trap is gurgling, does this mean I have a blocked drain?

A: The problem could be a partial block meaning there could be some minor root growth or debris in the line.

Q: My drain keeps re blocking! Why does this keep happening?

A: If your drain has re blocked after the first unblock there is obviously a bigger problem, so with this we recommend to put a CCTV camera down to detect what is causing the drain to re block. All drains block for a reason and it is our objective to identify the problem and rectify it with the best possible solution of permanent repair.
Objects that commonly obstruct the flow in drains can be:

• Root Infiltration
• Collapsed Pipe
• Debris
• Fat
• Foreign objects e.g. kids toys, bottles

Q: How can you prevent your drains from blocking up?

• Remove hairs that get trapped in the basin/bath/shower plug hole
• Don't flush away disposable items such as nappies, tissues and sanitary towels.
• Check drains are free-flowing by periodically lifting drain covers
• Check gutters and down pipes twice a year. Remove any debris with a trowel
  
• Don't overdo the use of soap powder when doing your washing

Q: What is the best option for root termination?

A: The most commonly used solution for root infiltration is a mechanical root coiler however, this is not a guaranteed solution and will have to be maintained from time to time. The roots grow faster and thicker and will cost even more each time they get removed, so we do not recommend this as a permanent solution.
With this we recommend two of our more advanced permanent solutions of repair:
Option 1 - Dig up and repair (with excavation) (See Dig Up and Repair)
Option 2 - Pipe Patching / Relining (without excavation - no digging) (See Pipe Patching)

Q: Does our company provide new drainage?

A: No. Draintech Limited is a company that specializes in drain unblocking and repairs.

Q: Whose responsibility is it to fix the line?

A: If the property is tenanted we recommend that the owner is informed before we commerce as the problem can more than likely be the owner's responsibility.

Q: What is the difference between a plumber and a drain unblocker?

A: A Plumber is a tradesman who specialises in installing and maintaining systems used for plumbing, heating, drainage, drinking water or industrial process plant piping. A drain unblocker specializes in unblocking drains and repairing defective faults throughout the whole drainage system.