Water companies may be responsible for the public sewerage systems, but did you know that homeowners have an obligation to maintain the drains within the boundaries of their property? Despite this, most Sydney residents give little, if any, thought to the things they wash down the drain. If you've caused a blockage in your pipes, here are seven simple things you can try before calling the experts. 

Plumbing emergencies can be a stressful time and the last thing you want to be doing is wasting time looking for a reliable plumbing company. With so many options out there, how do you go about choosing the right one?

There are plenty of products out there claiming to be “flushable”. When it comes to the crunch, however, many of these products are not doing what they say they do. Instead of disappearing forever down the toilet when flushed, these items are clogging up toilets and sewers across Sydney, costing homeowners and Sydney Water millions of dollars.

Most Sydney residents don't realise that they have a blocked stormwater drain until it's too late. When stormwater drains flood they can damage your home and pose a risk to public health. Like most blocked drains, prevention is the best remedy. Here are the top ways to prevent your stormwater drain from getting blocked. 

Most drain-cleaning chemicals you find on store shelves are made from harsh ingredients such as caustic potassium, bleach, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid. They come with strict safety guidelines and are labelled as “poison”. So what happens when they come into contact with your skin? 

Most plumbers would agree that high-pressured water jetters provide the best drain cleaning solution on the market. Here’s nine reasons why it is the preferred system to removing blockages and obstructions from Sydney pipes.

Many plumbers advertise low prices for clearing blocked drains so they get hired for the job. Once they’ve secured it, they then add additional expenses to the bill such as call out fees, use of specialist machinery and hourly labour costs. It quickly adds up and you could end up paying much more than the initial price that lured you in.

Blocked drains can be confusing because they affect multiple stakeholders. Everyone from property owners to local councils have a responsibility to maintain drainage, but who is responsible for what? Most importantly, who needs to pay the plumber's bill?

Blocked drain cleaning products are made from strong chemicals such as sulfuric acid, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. These ingredients can be dangerous to your health, hence the warning labels that urge customers to wear protective clothing and to keep products away from children and pets. There are some eco-friendly options on the market, but how well do they work when it comes to clearing tough blockages?

Have you ever had your bathing bliss cut short by a blocked drain? Looking down to find your feet soaking in murky drain water defeats the whole purpose of having a shower. It leaves you feeling unclean and annoyed.

There are three things that can be flushed down the toilet – number ones, number twos and toilet paper. That’s it. Stick to this simple rule and you can avoid the embarrassment of a blocked drain down the track.

Beneath the bustling streets of Sydney lies a complex network of pipes and sewers. Much of this network was built a long time ago and has been subject to corrosion, cracks and tree root intrusion. In addition to old age, Sydney plumbing is under attack from “FOG” - fats, oil and grease that has been incorrectly disposed of down the sink.