Blocked drains are among the most common plumbing problems that homeowners experience. Time might be a healer in many things, but when it comes to blocked drains, the problem only worsens with time. When you fail to acknowledge the warning signs of a blocked drain in your home, the problem may become more serious, leading to backups and flooding. Therefore, taking the necessary steps to fix an issue as soon as you notice becomes essential. There are five major signs you will notice if you have blocked drains.
1. Unpleasant Smells
Potent smells may be one of the most salient signs of a blocked drain, as you may start smelling some unusual smells near your drains. The good news is that drain odors are not too difficult to fix. When food bits or other debris gets lodged in your drains, they decompose, producing a foul smell. If you leave the issue unattended, the smell will worsen as more debris builds up, which will eventually cause a blockage. It may seem like a brilliant idea to run water through the drains to clear the debris, but doing this may end up helping the bacteria thrive more, making the smell even worse.
The best way to ensure that you get rid of the foul smell and eliminate additional problems with your drains in the future is to call a professional. Technicians have tools to completely remove residue and grime from your drains, and they can use cameras to look inside your pipes to locate and remove the clog.
2. Slow Drainage
Slow water drainage is another sign that is difficult not to notice. When the drain is clogged, water accumulates nearby. Sinks especially should be able to drain steadily and easily without any bubbles or backwash. The presence of bubbles or backwash in the drainpipes indicates there is an obstruction. Additionally, if the water takes an unusually long time to drain or does not drain at all, there is a blockage in the pipes. Such blockage may be caused by clumps of hair, soap scum, food particles, and other debris that tend to build up and trap other particles over time. It is important to note that slow drainage rarely fixes itself, and the problem worsens with time.
You need to take quick action as soon as you start seeing water draining slowly. When you ignore the warning signs and leave the pipes clogged for a significant period, you may experience more severe issues, such as bursting pipes or flooding. Consider contacting a professional plumber to attend to your issue before the problem gets out of hand.
3. Gurgling Sounds
Another significant early warning sign of a blocked drain in your home can manifest as strange or gurgling sounds coming from your drainpipes. If you hear any gurgling while water is draining, you should not ignore such noises. Gurgling occurs when a blockage is forming and obstructs the free flow of water, and this changes the air pressure in your drainpipes. As a result, the obstruction produces a long trickling or gurgling sound as water tries to make its way past the area that is clogged. If you notice such strange noises, do not hesitate to call a professional plumber. They are well-trained and can easily tell whether your drain is clogged by listening to such sounds. They will also carefully diagnose your drainpipes to ensure that you do not have any additional problems.
4. Toilet Water Levels
If you suspect your drains might be blocked, you should monitor your toilet water levels. An empty toilet bowl or increased toilet water level are signs of a problem with your toilet drain. A higher water level in your toilet can strongly indicate that some debris is blocking the flow of water out of the toilet. If you continue using the toilet after noticing higher water levels, there are greater chances of further clogging, which may lead to an overflow. On the other hand, if there is a lower level of water in the toilet bowl, then there is something that is blocking the flow of water from the tank into the toilet. A general rule of thumb is that you should never see a significant rise in the water level in your toilet bowl after flushing or see it sitting very low. In both instances, having a professional inspection would be immensely beneficial for you in the long run.
5. Signs of Dampness
Another warning sign to look out for is increased moisture that causes a musty smell and discolored patches on your wallpaper. Several factors can cause rising dampness, and one of them is blocked drains. Damaged or cracked drains may cause water to leak from the drains, causing a rise in moisture levels in the surrounding areas. The damaged or cracked drains may result from persistent clogging that obstructs water from moving through the drainpipes. Cracked or damaged drains are often linked with issues such as penetrating dampness. Hiring a professional plumber will be beneficial since they have the expertise to fix such an issue. They will unclog the drain first before repairing the leaks that have resulted from the clogging.
The Bottom Line
If you notice one or several of the above signs, it means that there is a high probability that your drains are clogged. If you use standard do-it-yourself methods, such as passing water through the drains, but they do not work, then you need to rely on the professionals to handle it for you. To avoid such issues, you should be on the lookout for the telltale signs indicating clogging in your drains, and you need to have your plumbing system inspected by a plumber. Experts recommend that your home plumbing system be inspected once a year for best results.
Something else that you must keep in mind is to abstain from using caustic drain cleaners. While these chemicals are advertised as being suitable for removing even the toughest clogs, they will also corrode your pipes. Additionally, you can sustain chemical burns if even a fraction of the drain cleaner splashes on you.
Call the Professionals
Though clogged drains are a common plumbing problem, you should not let it escalate. Residents of Vacaville and surrounding areas can rely on us at Cozy Home Services to offer them the best plumbing services. Our professionals are well-trained and have the expertise to diagnose and fix all plumbing issues. To be thorough, we inspect the entire drainage system to ensure no other problems are present. If we find any problems during our inspection, we will advise you of them and work with you to craft optimal solutions. Additionally, we are experts in heating and AC repair, HVAC installation, and indoor air quality. Give us a call today at Cozy Home Services.
