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
Hot Water System Maintenance Guide for Townsville Homes: 9 Tips to Extend Its Life
Your hot water system is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home, and one of the easiest to forget about, until you turn on the tap and get a cold shower instead of a hot one. Or the water runs rusty. Or there’s a puddle at the base of the tank you can’t explain. The good news is that most of this is preventable. A handful of simple checks done regularly can catch these problems while they’re still small, long before they turn into a cold shower or a call-out repair. In this guide, we’ll explain how to maintain electric, solar, heat pump, and continuous-flow hot water systems, and when to book professional servicing. TL;DR Know Your System Before You Start Before carrying out any maintenance, identify the type of system installed in your home. Most Townsville homes have one of the following hot water systems: Once you’ve identified your hot water system, you can carry out the appropriate maintenance checks. 9 Essential Hot Water System Maintenance Tips 1. Check the Anode Rod Townsville’s water contains minerals that can gradually corrode the inside of storage hot water systems. To help prevent this, these systems use a sacrificial anode rod, which attracts corrosive minerals before they can damage the steel tank. As the anode rod performs its function, it gradually wears down and becomes less effective. If it isn’t replaced when needed, the storage tank becomes more vulnerable to corrosion, which can shorten the system’s lifespan. What to do: 2. Ease the Temperature Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve Storage hot water systems use a Temperature Pressure Relief (TPR) valve near the top of the tank to release excess pressure as water heats and expands. Over time, minerals can build up inside the valve, causing it to stick or fail to seal properly. What to do: 3. Flush Sediment from Storage Tanks Storage systems gradually collect sediment at the bottom of the tank. As the sediment layer thickens, the system has to work harder to heat the water, reducing efficiency and increasing wear on the heating element and the tank. What to do: 4. Clean Solar Collector Panels Solar collector panels rely on direct sunlight to heat the water in your storage tank. Dust, bird droppings, coastal salt, leaves, and other debris can gradually build up on the glass, reducing the amount of sunlight the panels absorb. As a result, the system becomes less efficient and relies more on the electric or gas booster to heat the water. What to do: 5. Clean Heat Pump Air Filters and Keep the Unit Clear Heat pump hot water systems draw heat from the surrounding air to warm the water in the storage tank. Grass clippings, leaves, and fast-growing vegetation can quickly block the air intake or restrict airflow around the unit. Reduced airflow forces the heat pump to work harder, lowering efficiency and increasing energy use. What to do: 6. Inspect Pipe Insulation and Pipework Hot water travels through insulated pipes from the storage tank to your taps. Over time, intense sun can cause pipe insulation to crack or deteriorate, while weather, moisture, and normal wear can affect exposed pipework, valves, and fittings. Damaged insulation allows heat to escape, while leaks and corrosion can reduce efficiency and lead to more costly repairs if left unchecked. What to do: 7. Flush the System After Long Periods of Low Use When a hot water system sits unused for weeks, water can remain in the tank and pipework for an extended period. Stagnant water can develop unpleasant odours, and minerals and sediment can settle in the system, affecting water quality and system performance. What to do: 8. Check for Rust, Corrosion, and Pest Activity Townsville’s humid climate and coastal air can accelerate corrosion on exposed metal components. Outdoor hot water systems may also attract insects, spiders, geckos, and other pests that can interfere with electrical components or gas burners. What to do 9. Check the Thermostat Setting The thermostat controls the temperature of the water stored in your hot water system. Under Queensland law, storage systems should maintain a temperature of at least 60°C to help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. A faulty thermostat can cause water to become too hot, not hot enough, or heat inconsistently, affecting both safety and efficiency. What to do: Seasonal Maintenance for Townsville Homeowners In addition to the tips above, Townsville’s tropical climate brings a few season-specific things worth watching for. Here’s what to check depending on the time of year: Season What to Watch For Recommended Check Dry Season (May–October) Dust, coastal salt, and prolonged sun exposure can affect solar panels, pipe insulation, and outdoor units. Clean solar panels, inspect pipe insulation, and remove debris from around outdoor units. Wet Season (November–April) Heavy rain, humidity, and storms can increase the risk of corrosion, water pooling, and reduced solar performance. Check drainage, inspect for leaks or rust, and ensure the solar booster is working properly. Final Thoughts The tips in this guide will help you stay on top of your system’s condition, catching the obvious stuff before it turns into a bigger problem. But there are parts of the system you can’t safely access yourself, and that’s what a licensed plumber is for. We recommend scheduling an annual service so someone can take a proper look at the parts you’re not equipped to check, and catch anything that needs repairing or replacing before it turns into a system failure at the worst possible time. Our plumbers at 1Touch Plumbing are QBCC licensed and ready to help, whether your system’s due for a service, needs a repair, or just isn’t performing like it used to. Contact us today to keep your hot water system performing at its best. FAQs How much does hot water system servicing cost in Townsville? A routine hot water system service in Townsville costs between $250 and $400, depending on the type of system and the work involved. If worn components need replacing, repairs range from […]
Solar Hot Water Systems Explained: Costs, Pros & Cons, and Is It Right for Your Home?
Hot water is one of the biggest line items on a Townsville energy bill, typically accounting for 15-25% of total household energy use. That’s a significant chunk of your bill riding on a single appliance, and one of the main reasons homeowners start looking at solar. But whether solar hot water works for your home depends on more than just having a sunny roof. Based on the systems we’ve installed across Townsville, we’ll break down what these systems typically cost, the pros and cons of owning one, and what to consider before you decide. TL: DR How Does a Solar Hot Water System Work? A solar thermal hot water system (not solar PV, which generates electricity from the sun’s energy rather than heating water directly) uses solar collectors to capture heat from the sun. That heat is transferred to an insulated storage tank, allowing your household to use hot water while reducing the amount of electricity or gas needed throughout the year. Here’s what happens, step by step: For most Australian households, a properly sized solar hot water system can supply up to 90% of a household’s annual hot water needs, with the booster only operating when additional heating is required. Types of Solar Hot Water Systems At the core, the difference in every solar hot water system comes down to two things: how it moves the water, and how it heats it. Movement is decided by active vs passive circulation, while heating is decided by direct vs indirect systems and the type of collector used. Which combination works best for you will depend on your household usage, your local climate, and your budget. Let’s walk through how each one works, what sets them apart in real-world performance, and which household each one suits best so you can land on the right one for yours. Active vs Passive Systems An active system uses an electric pump to push water, or a heat-transfer fluid, from the collectors to the storage tank. Because the pump drives the flow, the tank can sit anywhere that suits your house – on the ground or in a roof cavity. The pump also lets you control how fast and how often the water circulates, so the system keeps output steady even when sunlight is weaker or usage spikes. A passive system moves water without a pump. It relies purely on convection: heated water rises naturally while cooler water sinks, creating a slow, self-driven loop between the collector and the tank. For that loop to work, the tank has to sit above the collectors, usually mounted directly on the roof, which adds constant weight your roof structure has to bear long-term. And because there’s no pump to keep things moving, the loop also weakens on cooler or overcast days, when there’s less heat to drive convection, leaving you with lukewarm or cold water exactly when you need it. That said, passive systems do cost less upfront, but once you weigh in the roof strain and the days you’ll fall back on a backup heater, the savings don’t stretch as far as they first look. Our verdict: We recommend active systems for every household, especially ones with kids, where demand is higher throughout the day. The pump keeps hot water running reliably, independent of the weather. Direct vs Indirect Systems A direct system circulates your household water through the solar collectors, where it’s heated by the sun before flowing into the storage tank. Because the water is heated directly, there’s no heat exchanger or transfer fluid involved; it’s simple and relatively less expensive to install. The downside is that the household water is exposed to outdoor temperatures inside the collectors. In colder climates, that water can freeze and expand, damaging the collector pipes. It also means minerals naturally found in the water continue circulating through the collectors, which can gradually cause scale build-up in areas with hard water. An indirect system circulates a specialised heat-transfer fluid through the collectors instead of your household water. The heated fluid then passes through a heat exchanger inside the storage tank, warming the household water without the two liquids ever coming into contact. Because the transfer fluid is designed to resist freezing, the collectors remain protected during frosty weather. Keeping household water out of the collectors also helps reduce mineral deposits and internal corrosion over time, making these systems more reliable in colder climates or regions with harder water. Our verdict: For Townsville and most warm Australian climates, a direct system usually works just fine. But if you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures, the additional freeze protection of an indirect system is well worth the higher upfront cost. Flat Plate vs Evacuated Tube Collectors A flat plate collector uses a dark metal absorber plate beneath a toughened glass cover to capture the sun’s heat and transfer it into water or heat-transfer fluid flowing through copper pipes. The whole thing is built as one sealed panel, which keeps manufacturing simple and makes it the cheaper option to buy and install. But because the panel is only glass and insulation between the absorber and the outside air, it loses more heat on cold or windy days, so its performance dips in cooler conditions. An evacuated tube collector uses a row of individual double-walled glass tubes with a vacuum sealed between the layers. That vacuum works like a thermos flask, reducing heat loss to the surrounding air so the collector can continue absorbing useful heat even during cold, windy, or overcast weather. Building each tube this way costs more to manufacture, so evacuated collectors carry a higher price tag. They are also more exposed than a sealed panel, so an individual tube can crack or fail, though the upside is that a damaged tube can be swapped out on its own without replacing the whole collector. Our verdict: We recommend flat plate collectors for most Townsville homes. The insulation advantage evacuated tubes offer only shows up in cold, windy, or overcast […]
What Causes Water Hammer & How to Fix It
Water Hammer – that loud bang every time your washing machine, dishwasher, or toilet shuts off is caused by a pressure surge that occurs when moving water suddenly stops inside your plumbing. Every day that it goes unfixed, that pressure surge places stress on pipe joints, valves, appliance hoses, and fittings. This repeated shock can eventually lead to leaks or premature component failure. The tricky part is that the same noise can have several different causes. Instead of jumping straight to a water hammer arrestor, this guide will help you diagnose the problem first, match it with the right repair, and know when it’s time to call a plumber. TL: DR 5 Most Common Causes of Water Hammer The same banging noise water hammer causes can have several different underlying reasons, so the right fix depends on what’s really creating the pressure surge. 1. Fast-Closing Valves and Appliances If the banging started after you installed a new washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator with an ice maker, or even a new toilet fill valve, that appliance is the first place to look. These fixtures use electrically operated solenoid valves that shut off almost instantly. When fast-moving water stops in a fraction of a second, it creates a pressure surge that travels back through the pipework. Older mechanical valves closed more gradually. Modern solenoid valves are designed for fast, precise water control, which means upgrading an appliance can introduce water hammer even when nothing else in your plumbing has changed. 2. High Water Pressure If the banging happens at several fixtures throughout the house, high water pressure is one of the first things to rule out. High water pressure doesn’t cause water hammer on its own, but it makes every pressure surge more forceful. A problem that is barely noticeable at normal pressure can become much louder as the pressure rises. Pressure consistently above 550 kPa (80 psi), unusually strong tap flow, leaking pressure relief valves, and plumbing fixtures that wear out prematurely are all common signs that household water pressure is too high. 3. Waterlogged Air Chambers or Missing Cushioning If the hammer has gradually become louder over time, particularly in an older home, the plumbing may no longer have enough cushioning to absorb pressure surges. Many older plumbing systems use vertical air chambers that trap a pocket of air to absorb hydraulic shock. Over time, those chambers can fill with water, leaving little or no air to cushion the pressure surge. Some homes don’t have an air chamber or water hammer arrestor near fast-closing fixtures at all. Without that protection, the pressure wave travels through the pipework and creates the familiar banging noise. 4. Loose Pipework or Worn Valves If the noise seems to come from inside a wall or ceiling, the pipes may be moving more than the pressure surge itself. Even a relatively small pressure surge can cause unsupported pipes to strike wall framing, ceiling joists, or neighbouring pipes, making the bang much louder than it would otherwise be. Worn shut-off valves, ageing toilet fill valves, and failing appliance valves can also make water hammer worse by closing unevenly or chattering during shut-off. If the noise is limited to one tap or toilet, replacing the faulty valve is often a better solution than installing an arrestor. 5. Trapped Air or Poor Pipe Layout If the banging started after plumbing work or a recent repair, trapped air in the system may be the cause. In some homes, the way the pipework is laid out can also make pressure surges louder. These problems are less common than faulty valves or high water pressure, but they can produce similar symptoms. Diagnose the Problem in 30 Seconds If you notice… The most likely cause Washing machine bangs at the end of a fill cycle Fast-closing solenoid valve Multiple fixtures bang High household water pressure Noise inside one wall Loose pipework Started after a new appliance Missing arrestor or fast-closing valve Arrestor didn’t solve it Pressure problem or another plumbing fault How to Fix Water Hammer The right fix depends on what’s causing the pressure surge. Before replacing parts, identify which fixture is making the noise. Water hammer affecting one appliance usually needs a different repair than hammer affecting the entire plumbing system. 1. Find the Fixture Causing the Noise Start by identifying exactly where the noise is coming from. This quick check usually tells you which repair to try first. How to do it The next step depends on what you found. If the noise is limited to one fixture or appliance, continue to the Local Fixes for a Single Fixture section below. If the noise occurs at multiple fixtures or throughout the house, move to Reduce High Water Pressure first. Noise at multiple fixtures usually points to a plumbing system issue rather than a single faulty fixture. 2. Local Fixes for a Single Fixture Restore Waterlogged Air Chambers If you live in an older home and the hammer developed gradually, restoring the air chambers is a good place to start. How to do it If the hammer returns quickly, the air chambers are no longer providing enough cushioning. Installing a water hammer arrestor is the more reliable long-term fix. Install a Water Hammer Arrestor If the noise only comes from a washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, ice maker, or another appliance with a fast-closing valve, a water hammer arrestor is usually the most effective solution. How to do it Use the correct arrestor size for your plumbing system. Replace Worn or Fast-Closing Valves If the hammer is limited to one toilet, tap, or appliance, replacing the valve may solve the problem. How to do it 3. Reduce High Water Pressure If the noise occurs at multiple fixtures or throughout the house, check your household water pressure before replacing anything else. How to do it 4. Secure Loose Pipework Behind Walls and Ceilings Sometimes the pressure surge isn’t the main problem. The noise is caused by pipes moving and hitting the framing or […]
How to Clear a Blocked Drain Without Damaging Your Pipes
A slow-draining sink, water pooling in the shower, or a gurgling toilet are all common signs of a blocked drain. The good news is, these are some of the most common blocked drains we fix across Townsville, and a good number of them can be cleared with the right DIY approach. In this guide, we’ll cover what you can safely fix yourself, what you shouldn’t attempt, and the right approach for the specific drain you’re dealing with, so you don’t turn a simple blockage into a bigger, more expensive plumbing repair. TL;DR Before You Try Any of the Methods Below 6 Ways to Clear a Blocked Drain on Your Own The methods below are arranged from the simplest to the most involved. Start with the first method and work your way down only if needed. This helps reduce the risk of damaging your pipes while giving you the best chance of clearing a minor drain blockage yourself. 1. Flush the Drain with Hot Water This is the first thing worth trying if water’s still draining, but slowly. It works well on grease and soap residue, though it won’t do anything for a hair clog that needs physically pulling out. Works for: kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or bath, laundry drain Things you’ll need: How to do it: 2. Break Down Build-Up with Baking Soda and Vinegar If hot water alone didn’t fully clear it, this is the next step up. The fizzing reaction helps break down soap scum and light organic build-up, but like the hot water flush, it won’t help dislodge a solid hair clog or a foreign object stuck in the pipe. Works for: kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or bath, laundry drain Things you’ll need: How to do it: PS: At this point, you might be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner, so if you do use one, follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly. If it doesn’t clear the blockage, don’t try to force it by increasing the concentration, leaving it in longer than recommended, or mixing in another cleaner, that can harm you, damage the pipe, and make it unsafe for a plumber to work on later. 3. Dislodge the Blockage with a Plunger If the fizzing didn’t help, you’re likely dealing with something sitting in the drain and that’s where a plunger can help. Just make sure you’re using the right one for the job. For sinks, showers, and baths, use a flat-cup plunger, or an accordion plunger if you need a stronger grip. For toilets, use a flanged plunger, the one with the extra rubber lip, which is built to seal in the bowl and won’t work properly on anything else. Works for: kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or bath, toilet Things you’ll need: How to do it (for sinks, showers, and baths) How to do it (for toilets) 4. Remove the Blockage with a Hooked Wire or Drain Snake If plunging didn’t get things moving, you’re likely dealing with hair wrapped around the pipe wall or snagged at the trap. A hooked wire or drain snake will help grab and pull that clump out but you’ll need to be careful with how much force you apply. If you hit firm resistance and keep pushing, you risk cracking an old trap, scratching the pipe, or shoving the clog further in where it’s harder to reach. Works for: bathroom sink, shower or bath drain Option A: Hooked Wire Things you’ll need: How to do it: Option B: Drain Snake Things you’ll need: How to do it: 5. Remove and Clean the P-Trap (U-Bend) If you’ve tried everything above and it’s still blocked, the clog is probably sitting inside the U-bend itself, right where a plunger or wire can’t quite reach it. So your only option is to take the pipe off and clean it out by hand – which takes more effort than the earlier steps, but it puts you directly at the spot where the blockage is stuck. Works for: kitchen and bathroom sink Things you’ll need: How to do it: 6. Clear Surface Debris from Outdoor Drains This one covers a different situation: water pooling around an outdoor grate or stormwater drain, with leaves, dirt, or debris visible on top of it. Works for: outdoor stormwater grates Things you’ll need: How to do it: A little tip: Townsville’s wet season pushes leaves and dirt into outdoor grates fast, so it’s worth checking them regularly during heavy rain. And if the grate’s clear but water is still pooling, that’s a sign the blockage is further down the pipe – you’ll need to call a plumber to inspect and fix it. 7. Extract the Blockage Use a Wet/Dry Vacuum If you don’t have a plunger on hand, a wet/dry vacuum is a solid alternative for a stubborn blockage. It can pull the obstruction back up toward the opening, which makes it much easier to remove by hand afterward. It’s best suited to softer blockages like paper, hair, or organic matter, and won’t do much against anything solid or lodged deep in the system. Works for: toilets, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, bathtubs, showers Things you’ll need: How to do it: One important caution here: Never use a wet/dry vacuum if you’ve recently poured a commercial chemical drain cleaner into the drain. The vacuum could spray all those chemicals back towards you. Final Thoughts Even if you’ve managed to clear the blockage, it’s not always a permanent fix. If the same drain keeps blocking after you’ve cleared it, or more than one fixture is affected at once, the problem is usually deeper within the drainage system. It could be anything between a tree root intrusion, or severe pipe damage – which are all structural issues that none of the DIY methods in this guide will fix. That’s where a professional inspection makes all the difference. At 1Touch Plumbing, we use CCTV drain inspections to identify the actual cause of recurring blocked drains, allowing us to […]
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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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