Blocked Drains St Leonards

Blocked drains in St Leonards restrict water flow and, if ignored, lead to overflow, water damage, and hygiene risks from standing wastewater. Fixed Today Plumbing clears blockages by locating the restriction point using CCTV drain cameras and removing it with high-pressure water jetting or mechanical snaking, depending on what the inspection shows. This process restores flow in kitchen sinks, bathroom drains, toilets, and external sewer lines; where inspection indicates structural failure or a collapsed section, relining or excavation options are explained and quoted separately once confirmed onsite.

In practice, blockages in residential drains usually trace back to a few common causes. Kitchen lines often accumulate oils and fats that cool and solidify inside the pipe, trapping food particles and soap residue until flow is restricted. Bathroom drains collect hair and soap scum, which bind together and form dense clogs over time. Toilets sometimes carry items that should never enter the sewer system, such as sanitary products or wet wipes labelled "flushable" but which don't break down in water.

External sewer lines in older properties face a different set of issues. Tree roots seek moisture and enter through microscopic cracks in clay or terracotta pipes, expanding over time and creating a web that traps debris. Once roots establish inside the pipe, they accelerate blockage formation and often require a combination of cutting, jetting, and sometimes relining to restore the line permanently.

When a blockage occurs, water backs up and creates pressure inside the system. In severe cases, wastewater can overflow at the lowest point, which in most homes is a floor waste, shower grate, or toilet. This is not just inconvenient; it introduces contamination risk and can damage flooring, cabinetry, and structural elements if the overflow continues unchecked. That's why prompt clearing is essential once the warning signs appear.

We carry high-definition CCTV cameras that feed live vision from inside the pipe, allowing us to see the blockage type, its exact location, and whether the pipe itself is damaged or intact. This diagnostic step removes guesswork. You're shown what we've found, and we explain what caused it before quoting the clearing method. For straightforward obstructions in sound pipes, hydro-jetting is usually enough. For root masses or structural issues, we discuss whether relining is the right approach or whether another solution suits your situation better.

Fixed Today Plumbing operates with upfront fixed pricing, meaning the quote provided before work starts is the price you pay. There are no hourly rates that escalate as the job progresses, and no hidden fees added at the end. If complications arise during clearing that weren't visible during the initial inspection, we pause, explain the new scope, and provide an updated quote before continuing. You're always in control of the decision to proceed.

Don't wait until a slow drain becomes a full blockage. A quick call arranges an assessment, and we'll confirm what's causing the restriction and what it takes to clear it properly. For urgent situations, we dispatch the nearest available technician from our Sydney-wide network, with arrival timing confirmed when you book.

Emergency plumbing issues in St Leonards, such as sewage backups, gas leakages, or uncontrolled water flow, require immediate professional response to prevent property damage, health risks, or safety hazards. Fixed Today Plumbing operates a 24/7 emergency dispatch service across Sydney, sending licensed plumbers to urgent jobs within typical response windows based on current schedule and the technician's location at the time of the call. This covers drainage emergencies, burst pipes, gas leak detection, and hot water failures; where the situation involves mains supply isolation or utility coordination, we guide you through the immediate safety steps while the plumber is on the way, then handle the necessary notifications and compliance documentation once the repair is complete.

What constitutes a plumbing emergency? Any situation where delay increases the risk of harm, property damage, or loss of essential services. A toilet overflowing with sewage into living areas is an emergency due to contamination risk. A gas smell near an appliance or meter is an emergency because gas leaks pose explosion and asphyxiation hazards. A burst pipe flooding a ceiling cavity is an emergency because continued water ingress damages structure, electrics, and finishes.

In contrast, a dripping tap or a slow drain, while inconvenient, don't usually meet the urgency threshold unless they've escalated into something more serious. We're available around the clock, but part of our role is helping you understand whether the issue requires immediate dispatch or can be scheduled during standard hours without increasing risk.

When you call with an emergency, our team asks targeted questions to assess severity and dispatch priority. We confirm the symptoms, ask whether essential services are affected, and check if there's an immediate safety concern such as electrical contact with water or a strong gas odour. Based on that information, we allocate the nearest available correctly licensed plumber and provide an estimated arrival window. You receive updates if traffic or prior job completion affects that timing.

Our emergency plumbers carry diagnostic equipment and common repair parts in fully stocked mobile workshops. That means many urgent jobs, such as clearing a blocked sewer line or replacing a burst section of pipe, can be completed on the first visit without waiting for parts or follow-up appointments. Where a repair requires specialised components or council approval, we make the system safe, explain what's needed next, and arrange the follow-up work as quickly as practical.

For gas emergencies specifically, we follow strict safety protocols. If you smell gas, we advise opening windows, avoiding ignition sources, and not operating electrical switches (which can create a spark). We then dispatch a correctly licensed gas fitter to locate the leak using combustible gas detectors, isolate the supply, and make the necessary repair. Once completed, the system is pressure-tested to confirm it's gas-tight, and a compliance certificate is issued where required under NSW regulations.

All emergency work is quoted upfront where possible, or scoped and quoted once the immediate safety issue is resolved. Our commitment to fixed pricing doesn't change after hours; you're protected by the same Lifetime Labour Warranty and transparent quoting process regardless of when the issue occurs.

Hot water system issues in St Leonards, such as inconsistent temperature, no hot water, or visible leaks from the tank or pipework, often indicate component failure, sediment buildup, or incorrect system sizing for household demand. Fixed Today Plumbing diagnoses hot water faults onsite, identifies the failed component or underlying cause, and provides a fixed-price quote for repair or replacement depending on the system's age and condition. This covers electric storage, gas continuous flow, gas storage, and heat pump systems from major brands including Rheem, Dux, Rinnai, Vulcan, Aquamax, and Thermann; where a system has reached end-of-life or repair costs approach replacement value, we explain the options and help you select a new unit that matches your household size, fuel type preference, and installation constraints.

Hot water systems fail for predictable reasons tied to age and usage patterns. Electric storage tanks develop sediment layers at the base, which insulate the heating element and reduce efficiency until the element burns out from overwork. The sacrificial anode rod inside the tank, designed to corrode preferentially and protect the steel lining, eventually depletes, allowing the tank itself to rust through. Gas continuous-flow units experience burner fouling, heat exchanger scale buildup, and ignition component failures, particularly in areas with hard water.

The first sign of trouble is usually temperature inconsistency: hot water that runs cold mid-shower, takes longer to heat, or arrives discoloured with rust particles. These symptoms suggest the system is struggling and likely close to failure. Visible leaks from the tank base or pressure relief valve discharge are more urgent, indicating internal corrosion or excessive pressure that needs immediate assessment.

When we assess a faulty hot water service, we check the power supply or gas supply first, then test the heating elements or burners, inspect the thermostat and temperature controls, examine the tank for corrosion or leaks, and measure the water temperature at the outlet. For systems that have stopped heating entirely, the fault is usually a failed element, thermostat, or gas valve. For systems producing intermittent or inadequate hot water, sediment buildup or undersized capacity is more likely.

Repairs make sense when the system is relatively young and the fault is isolated to a replaceable component such as an element, thermostat, or pressure valve. Replacement becomes the better option when the tank is corroded, multiple components have failed, or the unit is more than ten years old and showing general wear. At that point, investing in repairs often just delays the inevitable, and a new system offers better efficiency and a fresh warranty period.

For new installations, we guide you through the decision based on household size, existing fuel availability, and installation location. Electric storage is straightforward and suits smaller households or properties without gas connections. Gas continuous-flow systems provide endless hot water on demand and suit larger households with simultaneous usage needs, though they require adequate gas supply and proper venting. Heat pumps extract ambient heat from the air and are the most energy-efficient option long-term, though they have higher upfront costs and work less effectively in very cold climates.

All hot water installations include tempering valves to limit outlet temperature to 50°C at tapware (preventing scalding), pressure relief valves to prevent tank over-pressurisation, and compliance with AS/NZS 3500 plumbing standards. For gas systems, we also ensure correct flue installation and combustion ventilation. Once installed, the system is tested under operating conditions and confirmed to deliver stable hot water at the set temperature before leaving.

Fixed Today Plumbing provides a Lifetime Labour Warranty on all workmanship, meaning if a fault develops due to how the repair or installation was performed, we return and rectify it at no additional cost. Manufacturer warranties on the hardware itself vary by brand and model, and we explain those terms when quoting so you understand what's covered and for how long.