Blocked Drains at Night? How to Handle After-Hours Emergency Plumbing Disasters
Drains are such a fundamental part of any residential, industrial or commercial building that we never really think about them. But if you would like to consider them for a moment, they are vulnerable, and when they get blocked, that simple process we all take for granted – taking wastewater away – just stops.
Suddenly the stuff that used to get whisked away just sits there or, worse, overflows out of the sink, the shower tray or the toilet. You could be needing a blocked drain plumber. This is not an actual job title, but just one aspect of a plumber's work.
You might see it on their van or their advertising somewhere: blocked drain services. Or perhaps emergency drain clearing. Something to that effect, anyway.
If this kind of thing happens during the daytime and you are fit enough and sufficiently practical to do a few household tasks, you could have a go at this yourself.
A blockage, after all, is nothing but a build-up of material that needs to be dislodged, and if you can get at it easily enough, you might be able clear it with a plunger or something called a drain snake (if you have one, which most people don't).
You will also probably have heard that boiling water can be useful, and that can be true, because it can soften any fat or grease that may contributing to the trouble. If that does prove to be the issue, it can seem like magic – but it doesn't work for all blockages.
How do Blocked Drains Happen?
Most often you could say blocked drains are self-inflicted, because we are expecting more of these simple devices than we should. If all we did was run water through them, they would never get clogged. However, in the kitchen, for instance, if you're cooking or just washing up, you could be rinsing bits and pieces off plates or out of pans and sending them down the drain without a thought.
If melted fat is involved, it is only liquid when it's hot, so as soon as it encounters a cold pipe or your helpful rinsing from the cold tap, it quickly reverts to its solid form.
They say that in sewers there are huge blocks of fat like icebergs, formed by the bad habits pf countless households and businesses, and although your domestic blockage is sure to be less dramatic than that, it's still a ball of fat and plumbers must remove it carefully.
In baths and showers, hair can be a major problem, because every time you wash your hair you lose a few strands, and it can combine with other material to form a ball which is surprisingly resilient.
In toilets, the scene can obviously be even more unpleasant, with human waste combining with sanitary products and even so-called ‘flushable' tissues. You may be able to tackle this with a plunger, but it's not for the faint-hearted.
As for drain-clearing chemicals, these are nasty, dangerous substances that can do a job on a blockage but can also damage your skin, eyes etc, and the fumes are not something you ought to be breathing in.
All in all, this can be an unpleasant business, so you may want to call somebody who does emergency drain clearing.
How to Get Rid of Blocked Drains at Night
If this kind of task is not something you're keen to do at the best of times, you're certainly not going to want to get your overalls, gloves and goggles on at night.
Late night plumbing issues require the attention of an emergency drain services company, and unless you live in the back of beyond, you will find some around that offer out-of-hours or emergency service.
Is there such a thing as a specialist blocked drain plumber? It might not be their only claim to fame, but there are certainly people who are great at this kind of thing – and don't worry, they've seen it all before, so however disgusting the situation you find yourself saddled with, it's what blocked drain services are all about.
How to Choose the Right Plumber for Emergency Drain Services
When plumbers fix late night plumbing issues, they will make it clear on their website and/or social media that they are available for this so you can quickly see who to call.
You might not be particularly fussy about who you contact in this situation but they should have reviews from previous customers readily available so you can see they're up to the task.
At Mainline Plumbing & Civil, we're ready to help no matter the time. Read more about our emergency service here.
