If blocked drains aren’t taken care of, they could give rise to property damage and health risks, which can even become potential problems. These are costly repairs that one should avoid. Early detection of drain blockages can prevent these emergencies from occurring.
Blockages are usually caused by various factors such as tree root intrusion, ageing pipes, and grease buildup. Being able to recognise the early warning signs of a blocked drain will help you to avoid wasting so much time, money, and inconvenience.
In this article, we will go over how to recognise the signs of a blocked drain before it escalates into an emergency and what you should do about it.
Slow Draining Water
A common symptom that one could have with a blocked drain would be water draining out of sinks, bathtubs, or showers slower than usual. This typically indicates that something is hindering the flow of water. If the water does not seem to drain down as quickly as one feels it should, it is time to take some action.
These can be due to many reasons that range from buildup caused by the deposition of soap scum, hair, food particles, and fat in the pipes. Though it may appear like a minor problem, slow drains normally serve as a warning for some sort of blockage ongoing in the pipes.
Gurgling Noises In The Drains
Another vital sign that would indicate that there may be obstruction somewhere could be the gurgling sounds one hears as the water moves down the drain. The noise develops from trapped air in the pipes, which tries hard to get out, but due to the obstruction, it cannot, and therefore you are likely to hear this kind of gurgling sound from your sinks, toilets, or showers.
This can be expected most especially in residential buildings wherein plumbing are old and where tree roots or debris could penetrate underground pipes, creating clogs to hinder the smooth passage of water and air. In whatever the case, gurgling should not be taken lightly as it usually presages a partial blockage that is just waiting to get worse.
Bad Smells Coming From Drains
Other overt signs of blockage include foul odours emanating from your drains. This is because the waste material that gets deposited in the pipes will start to rot, thereby giving off a bad smell. Of particular interest, blocked drains that could be found in the kitchen and bathroom are especially predisposed to this development of bad smells.
This organic matter in the pipes can rot rapidly, especially during warm weather, and accelerate the odour. If you catch something smelling terrible around your sink, toilet, or shower, then you will want to act immediately to ensure that the blockage does not get worse.
Water Backing Up Into Other Fixtures
If water is backing up from one drain into another, that is just about a dead certainty of a more serious blockage. You could be flushing the toilet and find water is rising into the shower drain to flood or bubble up in the sink. That would mean the blockage is affecting multiple fixtures due to a clog in the main sewer line.
Some common causes of sewer blockages are tree roots that infiltrate in the pipes in pursuit of water supplies and, once inside the pipe, create severe blockages. When you notice the water back-up into other fixtures, this is a clear signal that you need to seek professionals immediately to prevent further damage.
Overflowing Toilets
A growing over toilet is definitely a sign of a blocked drain. Most often, this will happen because the blockage prohibits the flow of water through the pipes, where every flush causes a run over, leaving unhygienic conditions and thereby causing flooding if not treated.
Overflowing toilets are more serious because they produce a significant health risk due to raw sewage. Many municipal governments advise homeowners to seek professional help as soon as possible in such situations to reduce the spreading of contaminants and limit further damage to property.
Unexplained Patches Of Lush Grass
If there is an overgrown or green patch of grass at a particular place in your yard, then this might reflect the presence of a leak or blockage in the drain. It may be specifically so for properties that have old plumbing, as it is easy for sewage to leak out from underground pipes having any crack in them. Grass grows on the nutrient-rich sewage, making that area greener than the rest of the lawn.
It is for this very reason that a patch of grass that is unusually green catches one’s attention on areas frequently plagued by aridness. Of course, it becomes an issue worth looking into because when sewer pipes do leak, aside from the blockages, there’s the likelihood that serious environmental contamination occurs, making the repair far more costly.
Drain Flies Are Present Continuously
Drain flies-sewer flies, or moth flies-develop in areas where there is moisture, including clogged or partially clogged drains. A sudden appearance of swarms of small insects around the area of your drains is one sign that organic material is building up inside the pipes.
Ideally, drain flies would thrive and multiply quickly in warm climate conditions. Their presence simply serves as an indication of poor functioning of a drain, since it is a potential ground for organic wastes to garner and propagate. This, too, is another sign showing you that you need to take action regarding the blockage in question before it gets out of your hands.
What To Do If You Spot The Signs Of A Blocked Drain
If you’ve seen any of the above signs, then it’s about time to spring into action to prevent the problem from further aggravation. Following is a list of a few things that you can do:
Use A Plunger:
A plunger is good enough to dislodge the obstruction in case of slight blockages.
Try A Drain Snake:
The use of a drain snake or plumber’s auger can help by clearing debris from the pipes.
Natural Drain Cleaner:
A cocktail of baking soda and vinegar with hot water helps resolve minor blockages.
Professional Plumber:
At a high level, blockage of several fixtures necessitates the services of a licensed plumber. Many plumbers have emergency services available. Do not hesitate to call for professional blocked drain services if it becomes necessary.
How To Prevent Blocked Drains
While it is equally important to spot the signs of a blocked drain early, prevention is even better. A few tips to prevent blockages:
Dispose Of Food Waste Properly:
Avoid running grease, oil, or big chunks of food down the drain.
Install drain Covers:
Get covers for your sink and shower drains so hair, soap scum, and debris can’t get in.
Tree Root Check:
If you happen to stay in a neighbourhood with grown trees, you can hire someone to check your pipes for the extent of the damage caused by the roots.
Regular Maintenance:
Have a professional plumber inspect your plumbing system to catch a problem before it develops into a major problem.
Conclusion
Being able to identify the symptoms of a blocked drain before it becomes an emergency can save you quite a lot of hassle, expense, and possible damage. Being informed about slow drainage, gurgling sounds, foul odours, and other warning signs will enable you to take immediate action upon it.
If in doubt, it is always advisable to consult a professional plumber who will make sure your drainage system is running both efficiently and safely.
