Blocked drains are one of the most common plumbing issues you may experience in your home. Blocked drains are extremely inconvenient and can cause a lot of stress and unwanted costs, especially if you ignore the signs and let the blockage become worse. Spotting a blockage before it becomes a major problem is essential to getting the issue sorted fast. Here are 7 of the most common signs of a blocked drain…
1. Slow draining water
Slow draining water in your sink, shower or bath is a key indicator that you have a blocked drain. This could be due to a build-up of debris, soap, oil, food scraps or chemicals. Unfortunately, these types of blockages only tend to get worse, so it’s essential to get a plumber in to clear out the blockage as soon as you can.
2. Toilet water levels
A sure sign that you more than likely have a blockage in your toilet is your toilet water levels rising and not going down again quickly. The water in your toilet may take a long time to go down or it may not go down at all. Not only is this incredibly inconvenient but it can also be a health hazard. As soon as you notice an issue with your toilet water levels, call in a licensed plumber to get it unblocked.
3. Unusual and unpleasant smells coming from the drains
An unpleasant smell coming from your drains is usually an indicator that something is stuck. The smell that you’re noticing is often the result of the obstruction breaking down or decomposing. Not only is this unpleasant, but the longer it is in there, the more chance it has of completely blocking up your drain. The smell will more than likely get worse as well, so it goes without saying that you want to get this issue sorted out ASAP.
4. Gurgling sounds coming from the drains
If you have begun to hear odd gurgling sounds coming from your drains, you likely have a blockage building in your system. The gurgling sound is an indicator that the water in your pipes does not have a clear passage and is instead struggling to get past the blockage. Call in a plumber as soon as you notice the sound and get the issue seen to quickly before it becomes an even bigger problem.
5. Water backing up in your drains
The next time your washing machine is on or you use one of your sinks, keep an eye on your shower or bathtub to see if any water backs up through the drains. If you see water coming up out of your drains, you probably have a blocked pipe in your system. A blocked drain can often cause water to flow into your shower or bathtub, and it can even impact your toilet water levels if it has nowhere else to go and can’t flow past the blockage.
6. Sewer cleanout leakage
Your sewer cleanout system deals with the wastewater in your home. Your sewer cleanouts are connected to your sewer system which assists with regulating the flow and dispersing any clogs that may arise. If you encounter a leak in your sewer cleanout, you more than likely have a major blockage somewhere in the pipes. This is an issue that will need to be remedied ASAP due to potential health and safety hazards. As soon as you notice this sign, you need to call in a plumber.
7. Boggy or saturated patches in your grass
Boggy or saturated patches in your lawn are a serious sign that you are having issues with your drains. Waterlogged areas on your lawn are a serious indicator that your drains are blocked and have either burst due to the blockage or become damaged in some other way. Call in a plumber ASAP if you notice any excessively wet areas as this could be causing numerous other issues and will need to be repaired quickly.
What are you waiting for?
If you have noticed any of these signs in your home, you may have a blocked drain or two in your system. Rather than waiting to get it fixed to see if it remedies itself, call in a professional plumber today. A licensed plumber will be able to assist you with any blocked drains that you might have to ensure that your plumbing system is in top condition. If you need a reliable and trustworthy plumber to assist you today, get in touch with our team at 1touch Plumbing & Gas now.
