As far as home maintenance goes, this one’s a real drainer.
Tarneit is one of the top 10 worst-affected suburbs in Melbourne for blocked drains, toilets and pipes, according to the RACV.
The list was based on the number of people who use the RACV’s emergency home assist service, with St Kilda and Reservoir taking out first and second place and Tarneit ranking ninth.
The RACV said oils and fats, wet wipes and sanitary products were the main causes of blockages, and other common causes included old and poorly maintained pipework and tree roots.
Emergency home assist plumber Zachary Arthur said sewers were older in more established suburbs like St Kilda and Reservoir than in newer suburbs, so blockages were more common.
He cautioned home-owners to be vigilant about what they poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet, and called on them to act quickly if there were signs of blockage.
“Cooking byproducts like fat and grease are incredibly harmful,” he said.
“They can solidify and block drains. The more careful you are, the less likely it is to block up.”
Mr Arthur said using a high-pressure water jet to clear out the sewer would go a long way towards keeping drains clear.
