Blocked Drains Townsville
Fast & Professional Drainage & Blocked Drains Service
Second, we use only the best materials for all our installation and repair services. We have contact with the best providers of plumbing materials, and we purchase the items we use in all our projects from them only.
Last, our services are all affordable, and we make sure to work within your budget without compromising quality. For these reasons, you can rely on 1touch Plumbing to give you the best services for all your plumbing needs.
Signs You Have Blocked Drains & Drainage Issues
- The drainage is slow or inconsistent
- Odd sounds, such as gurgling noises, are coming from the pipes
- Unpleasant odours are emanating from the drains
- Water is backing up, or black debris is seeping up from the drains
What Causes Blocked Drains?
Over time, a build-up of hair, grease, soap and food waste can lead to a blockage. When grease binds with hair follicles and soap fragments, it can create a thick and difficult-to-remove obstruction. This is often how blocked drains are formed in your bathroom or kitchen sink.
Toilets are often clogged by household sanitary products, such as wet wipes and menstrual pads. Only toilet paper should ever be flushed down a toilet.
Underground pipes can be blocked or damaged if tree roots intrude into the drain area. It’s advisable to have regular plumbing maintenance inspections to ensure your pipes and drains aren’t compromised by any of these factors.
DIY Fixes For A Blocked Drain Are Not Always The Solution
If a blockage appears to be minor, the use of a plunger might quickly dislodge food particles or other minor causes of the blockage. If this is unsuccessful or for serious drainage concerns, your best option is to rely on an experienced professional. Other DIY fixes can worsen issue, damage and other problems that affect the integrity of your plumbing.
1touch Plumbing has handled jobs both large and small. Our experience ranges from simple toilet blockages and drains repairs to complex troubleshooting involving storm damage, tree roots and other blocked drain emergencies.
Townsville's Professional Drainage Plumber
A blocked drain or sewer left too long can lead to cost-prohibitive repairs or replacement. That’s why it’s best to deal with the problem quickly and efficiently. It’s also advisable to have regular plumbing maintenance to detect problems before they start.
The good news is that our plumbers are professional, friendly and courteous and will provide you with a full cost for approval before they commence any work. That way, there are no surprises, and you can be assured of top-quality service, guaranteed using the most advanced state-of-the-art equipment, tools and machinery.
With several years of experience working with private and commercial property owners in Townsville, 1touch Plumbing is a team committed to delivering the least disruptive and most economical and reliable outcomes to our customers.
Contact Our Blocked Drain Plumbers Today
We’re open for callouts 24/7, so contact the 1touch Plumbing team today for assistance with your blocked drains.
Call us on (07) 4751 7600 or email our team at admin@1touchplumbing.com.au to get started.
Our Latest Blocked Drain Blogs
Roof Flashing Repair in Townsville: Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Damaged roof flashing can let rainwater into your home, leaving you with ceiling stains, wet insulation and even mould. The sooner you deal with the problem, the less chance water has to cause further damage. But the fix depends on what’s wrong. A small gap around a roof joint may only need fresh sealant, while rusted, bent or poorly fitted flashing may need replacing. In this guide, we’ll take you through common roof flashing problems, explain what causes them, and show you how a licensed roof plumber in Townsville can fix them and help keep your home dry. TL;DR Roof Flashing Problems and How to Repair Them Most flashing problems on Townsville roofs trace back to the climate. Salt air corrodes the metal, cyclone winds lift anything that isn’t fixed down properly, and the sun dries out sealant until it cracks. How it can be fixed depends on which one you’re dealing with. Corroded Flashing from Salt Air Townsville’s coastal air carries salt inland, where it settles on your roof flashing. Salt attracts moisture and keeps it against the metal. Over time, this moisture and salt can break down the protective paint or metallic coating on the flashing, exposing the bare metal underneath. The exposed areas can then start to rust. As the corrosion spreads, it can eat through the flashing and create holes that let rainwater into your roof cavity. What to do about it: Lead Flashing Corroding a Colorbond Roof When two different metals, such as lead flashing and Colorbond steel, come into contact in the presence of moisture, they can react and cause galvanic corrosion – one metal starts to break down when it touches a different metal in wet conditions. Over time, this reaction can damage the protective coating on the Colorbond steel, exposing the metal underneath to rust. What to do about it: At 1Touch Plumbing, we can help with all this. Our QBCC-licensed roof plumbers will inspect your roof and recommend the right solution. We can replace the lead with compatible flashing or install a suitable barrier where removal isn’t practical. We also offer follow-up roof maintenance to check for new signs of corrosion and catch any damage before it spreads. Flashing Lifted by Storm Wind Townsville falls within Wind Region C, so roofs here need to withstand strong winds. During a storm, strong gusts put upward pressure on roof flashing, particularly around ridges, roof edges and wall joints. If the flashing isn’t secured properly, loose or missing screws can make it easier for the metal to lift, bend or tear away. Once the flashing pulls away from the roof, it allows wind-driven rain to enter. Water can then reach your ceiling, walls and roof insulation, causing further damage. What to do about it: Cracked or Missing Sealant Sealant is a waterproof material used to close small gaps where roof flashing meets other surfaces, such as walls, vents and skylights. It helps stop rainwater from getting underneath the flashing and entering your roof. However, Townsville’s strong UV rays and storms can wear it down over time. The heat dries out the sealant, causing it to shrink, crack or pull away from the metal. Once this happens, water can seep through the gaps and into your roof cavity. What to do about it: Poorly Installed Flashing at Walls and Patios Where your patio roof meets your house, flashing covers the joint between the two roofs to stop rainwater from getting behind the connection and entering your home. The flashing should extend partly behind the wall cladding (the outer material covering your wall). This allows rainwater running down the wall to flow onto the flashing and then onto the patio roof, rather than getting trapped behind it. If the flashing sits against the wall or doesn’t extend far enough behind the cladding, water can seep into the wall cavity and cause leaks. Sometimes, installers apply silicone along the gap between the patio roof and the house wall instead of fitting the flashing correctly. This may keep water out for a while, but silicone can dry out and crack over time, allowing rainwater to seep through the joint and into the wall cavity. What to do about it: Leaking Flashing Around Vents and Skylights Vent pipes and skylights leave openings in your roof, so the areas around them need proper flashing to keep rainwater out. Around a vent pipe, the flashing has a metal base that sits against the roof and a rubber boot that fits around the pipe to seal the gap. Around a skylight, metal flashing runs along the edges of the frame and directs rainwater away. Over time, Townsville’s heat and strong UV rays can make rubber boots brittle and cause sealant around the joints to crack. Strong winds can also loosen or bend metal flashing. Once these parts become damaged, gaps can form and let rainwater into your roof cavity. What to do about it: If you notice any of these problems, have our licensed roof plumber at 1Touch inspect the area and recommend the right repair. We’ll replace damaged rubber boots, reseal leaking joints or repair and replace loose or damaged flashing to keep rainwater out of your roof. Final Thoughts Repairing your roof flashing might look like a quick job, nothing a tube of sealant and a few screws can’t handle. But that’s exactly why so many DIY repairs give way once the wet season arrives. If the new metal reacts with your roof, the sealant doesn’t suit the flashing, or there aren’t enough fixings to keep it down in a cyclone, the leak comes straight back, often with corrosion on top. Then there’s also the risk of climbing onto a metal roof in the first place, which can be slippery and hot underfoot. So unless you’re confident up there and know what you’re looking for, it’s a job worth leaving to someone who does it every day. At 1Touch, we’re a QBCC-licensed roof plumber Townsville homeowners call to trace […]
DIY Plumbing Maintenance Every Townsville Homeowner Should Know
Townsville’s tropical weather puts your home’s plumbing under constant stress. Heavy wet-season rains, high humidity, and mineral-rich water can wear out taps, pipes, and hot water systems faster than in other regions. The good news is that most of these issues can be detected early and resolved through simple, legal DIY maintenance. This guide will show you exactly how to do it. Start with basic DIY checks: Call a licensed plumber if: Maintain your system year-round: What Plumbing Work Can You Legally Do Yourself in Queensland? In Queensland, you can only carry out certain low-risk plumbing tasks yourself—and only if they’re non-permanent, meaning you’re not cutting pipes, moving pipework, or altering the fixed plumbing system. Anything beyond simple replacements or connections must legally be handled by a licensed plumber. Plumbing is tightly regulated under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 and overseen by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) because pipes connect to the drinking water, sewer, and stormwater systems. If work is poorly done, it can contaminate water, damage your home, or even create health risks, so it’s important to know what you can safely tackle on your own. Unregulated Plumbing Work (You Can Do) These are simple tasks you can safely handle at home because they don’t alter pipework, water supply lines, or sewer connections, but you still need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The Consequences of Illegal DIY Doing plumbing work other than unregulated tasks in Queensland can have serious consequences—both financially and legally. Essential Plumbing Maintenance Toolkit Keeping your Townsville plumbing in shape is easy once you have the right tools to fix minor issues quickly. Foundation Tools Blockage and Drainage Essentials Natural Maintenance Supplies Monthly Plumbing Maintenance Tasks Spending just 20 minutes each month on these simple checks helps you catch plumbing problems early and avoid costly repairs. Inspect Under-Sink Plumbing Leaks often start under sinks –in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries –where connections, washers, and hoses are under constant stress. So, an inspection is a must. How to do it: Test and Maintain Taps In Townsville, the intense heat and mineral-rich water wear rubber washers out faster, so leaks occur sooner than in cooler areas. A dripping tap wastes roughly 30–50 litres per day (11,000 to 18,000 litres a year) and skyrockets your water bill. How to do it: Perform Silent Toilet Test In a leaking toilet, water quietly flows from the cistern into the bowl, wasting 10 to 260 litres a day. This is called a silent leak, which you can easily test for. How to do it: Clear Outdoor Drains and Grates During Townsville’s wet season, leaves, grass, and silt can quickly block outdoor drains. If these drains aren’t clear, water can pool around your foundation, paths, or even inside your home. What to do: At 1touch Plumbing, we provide professional plumbing maintenance across Townsville to keep your pipes, drains, and hot water systems running reliably all year round. Seasonal Plumbing Maintenance for Townsville’s Climate Townsville swings between two extremes — humid, heavy rain and dry, intense heat. Your plumbing feels both. You need to perform specific maintenance tasks to keep up with seasonal shifts to make sure your plumbing can withstand the climate and last longer. Pre-Wet Season (October–November) Plumbing Maintenance In Townsville, the pre-wet season is the most important time for plumbing checks to ensure your system is ready to handle the heavy wet season ahead. Clean Gutters and Downpipes Blocked gutters force rainwater to back up under your roof sheets or tiles. This standing water eventually rots out fascia boards, ceilings, and wall timber. What to do: We recommend installing gutter guards to reduce leaf buildup. It saves you a lot of ladder time and lowers the risk of a roof leak. Inspect Stormwater and Drainage Grates Stormwater drains carry rain away from your home and out to the street kerb. When these get clogged, yards flood, or water backs up into your house, so inspect them now to ensure they’re clear. What to do: Tip: Mark all your grates and check them again after the first minor rainfalls. Small debris from light rain can shift and clump together right before a heavy storm hits. Test Sump Pumps A sump pump moves excess water away from the property and prevents flooding in basements, sunken laundries, or patios. Test the pump before the wet season to ensure it works properly during rain. What to do: We recommend testing the sump pump at least twice during the season. You might also consider a battery-powered backup pump in case the power drops out during a big storm. Check for Corrosion and Humidity Damage Townsville’s high humidity, which averages between 65% and 75%, and salty coastal air eats through metal fast. Corroded pipes or fittings are prone to bursting, which leads to flooding and water damage, so you want to catch them early. What to do: Test Your Main Shutoff Valve If a pipe bursts or a major leak starts, stopping the water supply quickly can save your home from flooding. What to do: Pro tip: Label the main shutoff valve and make sure everyone in the house knows exactly where it is. Getting to it quickly during a storm can save your floors, your cabinets, and thousands of dollars in repairs. Wet Season (December–March) Plumbing Maintenance During Townsville’s wet season, 80% of the annual rain hits, which puts your pipes and drains under pressure. Keeping a close eye on your plumbing is the only way to catch and prevent small issues from turning into expensive repairs. Monitor Drainage Around Your Home Heavy rain shows you exactly where your yard is failing to move water away from the house by pooling water. If water sits too long against your foundations, it causes the soil to shift, leading to cracked walls and expensive slab heave. What to do: Identify Tree Root Intrusion Tree roots love moisture and are more active than ever during the wet season. They find tiny cracks or joints in […]
Solar Hot Water vs Electric Water Heater: Which Is Best for Your Home? (Costs, Payback & Decision Checklist)
In Queensland, around 80% of households use electric systems, and only about 8% use solar. While electric might be the most common option, that doesn’t automatically make it the best choice for your home, especially in Townsville, where water heating can account for roughly a quarter of your power bill. The right system depends on your roof space, household size, budget, and how long you plan to stay in the property. This guide compares solar and electric hot water systems side by side, so you can confidently choose what works best for your home. The quick verdict: What you need to know: Get started with these steps: What Is a Standard Electric Water Heater? A standard electric water heater – often called an electric storage tank – heats water using an internal electric element and stores it in an insulated cylinder until you need it. Cold water enters the bottom of the tank. Inside, a thermostat monitors the temperature. When the water is below 60°C – the minimum storage temperature required under Queensland plumbing and health regulations – the electric element switches on and heats the water. The tank stores water at this regulated temperature to prevent bacterial growth. Before the water reaches your taps, a tempering valve mixes in cold water to safely reduce the temperature to 50°C to prevent burns. What Is a Solar (Thermal) Hot Water System? A solar hot water system uses the sun’s heat to warm the water used in your home. Solar collectors on your roof absorb sunlight and heat up. Water flows through pipes inside these collectors, picking up that heat as it circulates. The warmed water then returns to a heavily insulated storage tank, where it stays hot until you turn on a tap. If there isn’t enough sun during extended rain or if hot water demand exceeds the solar system’s capacity to heat and recover in real time, a built-in electric or gas booster automatically activates to maintain safe storage temperatures and ensure you never run out of hot water. Electric vs Solar Hot Water System: What’s Best for You in Townsville? Living in Townsville, your hot water system has to handle strong sun, heavy rain, and rising power prices. Here’s a simple breakdown of electric vs solar systems, so you can choose what works best for your home and budget. Upfront Investment: What You’ll Pay to Install The upfront cost is where the biggest difference between electric and solar shows up. Here’s what you can expect to pay to supply and install each system in Townsville. Electric Storage System Typical installed cost: $1,500 – $3,000 Electric systems cost less upfront because they are self-contained, and most Townsville homes already have the wiring and space for one. You’re paying for: There are some additional costs you can expect to be included: Solar Hot Water System Typical installed cost (before rebates): $5,000 – $10,000+ Solar costs more because it’s not just a storage tank – it’s a complete rooftop heating system. You’re paying for: Installation is more complex, and it typically requires both: Most installations take a full day or longer, especially if roof access is difficult, which increases labour costs. Operating Cost: What You’ll Pay Month to Month Heating water makes up around 15–30% of a typical Townsville electricity bill. That means the type of hot water system you install has a direct impact on how much you’ll pay each month. Electric Storage System Typical running cost: $600–$700 per year A standard electric tank warms cold mains water (usually about 25°C in Townsville) up to 60°C for showers, baths, and household use. For a family of four, that adds up to roughly 3,300 kilowatt-hours of electricity in a year. Note: Ergon Energy updates its electricity rates and tariffs in July every year. So please check the Ergon Energy Residential Tariffs page for the latest rates before calculating your running costs if you’re reading this anytime after 1st July, 2026. This cost comes from two main factors: Solar Hot Water System Typical running cost: $100–$300 per year A solar system takes advantage of Townsville’s strong, year-round sunshine to cover up to 90% of your annual hot water needs while using very little electricity. The small running cost comes from: Performance & Reliability: How It Handles Townsville Conditions In Townsville, the tropical climate brings intense sun, high humidity, and a wet season, all of which affect how hot water systems perform. Electric Storage System Electric water heaters are highly reliable in Townsville because they heat water directly from the grid and keep your water at 60°C, no matter the weather or season. Because it doesn’t rely on sunlight, you get consistent performance every day, which makes it a solid choice for families who want reliable hot water on demand without worrying about cloudy days or the wet season. Solar Hot Water System A solar hot water system uses sunlight to heat your water, so it runs efficiently even on humid or still, warm days. For most of the year, it will cover the majority of your household’s hot water needs. During the wet season, when there’s less sunlight, performance can dip – but that’s when the electric booster automatically steps in to keep your water at a steady 60°C, so you get consistent hot water while significantly reducing your electricity use. Maintenance & Lifespan: What to Expect Over the Years In Townsville, how long your water heater lasts depends as much on the local climate and water chemistry as on the brand. Electric Storage System Standard electric tanks usually last 8–12 years in Townsville. The local water has minerals that can corrode the tank, so each tank has a sacrificial anode – a metal rod that corrodes instead of the steel tank. This anode needs replacing every 3–5 years. If you don’t replace it, the tank itself starts to rust. Over time, that rust can eat through the steel, causing leaks or the tank to split under pressure. Mineral deposits can also […]
What Does a Roof Plumber Do? Townsville Guide
A roof plumber looks after everything that keeps rain out of your home, from the roof itself to the gutters and downpipes that carry the water away. They install new metal roofs, replace old ones, repair leaks and flashings, and fix or replace gutters and downpipes. So if your roof leaks every wet season, shows rust around the screws or sheets, or has reached the point where patching no longer makes sense, a roof plumber is the person to call. TL;DR: Roof Plumber vs Roofer: What’s the Difference? “Roofer” and “roof plumber” sound like two different trades, and sometimes they are. What really decides who can do the job, though, is the licence. In Queensland, the licence a tradesperson holds sets out exactly what work they can legally do on your roof. The easiest way to work out who you need is to start with the job: Before you book anyone, use the table below to match the job you need done with the licence to look for. What you need done Licence to look for Replace broken tiles, repoint ridge caps, re-lay a tile roof QBCC roof tiling licence Install, replace or re-sheet a metal roof QBCC roof and wall cladding licence, or plumbing and drainage licence Repair flashings, gutters and downpipes on a metal roof QBCC roof and wall cladding licence, or plumbing and drainage licence Roof work involving plumbing, such as a rooftop solar hot water system QBCC plumbing and drainage licence A business that holds a plumbing and drainage licence is what most people mean by a roof plumber. For a metal roof, that one licence covers the roofing and the plumbing, so a single business can handle the whole job. Before you book, check the licence on the QBCC register to make sure it covers the work you need. What Work Does a Roof Plumber Do? Most roof plumbing work falls into six main jobs, from replacing a worn-out roof to keeping your gutters and downpipes flowing. Each one below covers what the job involves and when you’re likely to need it. 1. Installing and Replacing Metal Roofs A metal roof can only take so much. Once rust has spread across the sheets and the screws have worked loose, replacing it makes more sense than repairing it. A roof plumber strips off the old sheets and replaces them with new Colorbond or Zincalume, fixed down to Wind Region C standards so the roof stays put when a cyclone comes through. They can also take off an old tile roof and fit Colorbond in its place. On asbestos roofs, a licensed contractor removes the old sheeting before we start. 2. Finding and Repairing Roof Leaks A water stain on your ceiling rarely sits directly under the hole. Water tends to run along the roof sheets and timber before it drips through, so the place where it gets in can be a metre or more away from the mark you can see. A roof plumber’s job is to trace the water back to that entry point, which is usually a lifted flashing, a rusted screw, a corroded sheet or a gutter overflowing back into the roof. At 1Touch Plumbing, we use moisture detection equipment to find exactly where the water is getting in and how far it has travelled through the structure, so the repair’s done at the source, not where the sign shows up. 3. Installing and Repairing Roof Flashings Flashings are the folded metal strips that seal the joins on your roof, such as along the ridge, where the roof meets a wall, and around solar hot water units, vents and skylights. Because these joins are where different parts of the roof come together, they’re also where most leaks on a metal roof start, especially once Townsville’s strong UV has dried out the sealant around them. A roof plumber replaces flashings that have cracked, lifted or rusted, and reseals the joins where the old sealant has broken down. In many cases, that repair alone is enough to stop a leak without replacing any of the roof sheets. 4. Installing and Repairing Gutters Townsville’s wet season tends to bring rain in heavy bursts rather than steady showers, and when a gutter can’t handle that volume, the water spills over the back and into your roof cavity. When a roof plumber installs new gutters, they size them for those heavy downpours and fit overflow measures, such as slotted fronts, so any excess water spills outside the house instead of inside it. They also replace gutters that have rusted or started to sag, and reseal joins and corners that leak. At 1Touch Plumbing, we use corrosion-resistant components as standard, which helps gutters last on homes exposed to salt air. 5. Installing and Replacing Downpipes Downpipes carry the water from your gutters down to the ground and into the stormwater system. If there aren’t enough of them, or they sit in the wrong places, the gutter fills faster than it can drain and overflows, even when it’s clean and the right size. A roof plumber works out how many downpipes your roof needs and where they should go, then installs new ones, replaces damaged or rusted ones, or adds extra outlets where the existing ones can’t keep up. 6. Inspecting and Maintaining the Roof Drainage System Most roof problems start small and out of sight, and you usually only find out about them when a heavy storm sends water into the ceiling. If you live near the coast, salt air slowly rusts the screws on your roof, the sun dries out the sealant around your flashings, and leaves keep piling up in the gutters, and none of it is easy to spot from the ground. You can only catch the early signs with a timely roof inspection. A roof plumber checks every part of the roof and tells you what condition it’s in, so you can plan repairs at your own pace instead of paying for them in […]
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Frequently Asked Questions
There are many warning signs that there is a blocked drain on your property. The most common symptom of a blocked drain is a foul or unpleasant smell emitting from the drain. Additionally, slow drainage or incomplete drainage are also signs that your drain could be blocked. Strange gurgling sounds may also be indicative that there is a draining problem somewhere within your drain system.
A blocked drain can be caused by many things. Whether you suspect you know what the culprit is or you’re completely unsure, the best course of action is to call in a professional plumber. That being said, the most common reason why a drain becomes blocked is due to solid materials or items obstructing the flow of liquid. Items that frequently obstruct a drain include hair, tissue, sanitary towels and more.
If you are going to attempt to clear a blocked drain yourself, it’s important that you follow the correct procedures. The most popular DIY method of clearing a blocked drain is to pour hot water down the drain, followed by some baking soda and vinegar. Wait between 5 and 10 minutes before pouring more hot water down. However, it is advised that you call out a plumber to unclog a drain in order to make sure that it is cleared correctly and safely.
Blocked stormwater drains typically show signs like pooling water around your property, slow drainage during heavy rain or gurgling noises from the pipes. If left unattended, blocked stormwater drains can lead to flooding and property damage. If you suspect a problem, it’s best to consult a plumber experienced in clearing Townsville blocked drains.
To prevent blockages, avoid flushing items like wet wipes, paper towels, sanitary products and excessive amounts of toilet paper. Even items marketed as “flushable" can cause issues, as they don’t break down easily in the pipes. Only flush human waste and toilet paper to keep your drains clear.
Tree roots naturally seek out moisture and can invade small cracks in underground pipes. Over time, as the roots grow, they cause significant blockages by obstructing the pipe or even breaking through it. If you have large trees near your home, regular plumbing inspections can help detect root intrusions early. Need blocked drain plumbing solutions? Our experienced team is ready to help!
Blocked shower drains are often caused by a build-up of hair, soap scum and other debris. Over time, these materials can accumulate in the pipes, restricting water flow and leading to slow drainage or standing water in your shower. If you’re facing this issue, it’s essential to contact a plumber who specialises in blocked drain plumbing to resolve the blockage before it worsens.
It’s best to leave clearing blocked drains to professional plumbers. While some home remedies might seem effective, improper attempts can worsen the problem or cause damage to your pipes. A professional plumber will have the right tools and expertise to clear the blockage safely and thoroughly, ensuring no further issues arise. If you notice signs of a blockage, such as slow draining or gurgling sounds, contact a professional as soon as possible to resolve the issue before it escalates.
When multiple drains are blocked simultaneously, it often indicates a more severe issue with your main sewer line. This requires a professional to locate and fix the problem. A professional plumber in Townsville can quickly assess the situation and offer a solution to prevent further damage.
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