While many household problems will eventually go away by themselves, when it comes to blocked drains, time will simply exacerbate the problem, causing major damage to the drain or even causing it to overflow. As a result, it makes sense to move fast and take the required steps to resolve the issue before it worsens.
But what are the red flags you should be aware of? Here we will show you how to recognize the first signs of a problem so that you can call out a plumber and get it sorted before it becomes a much bigger – and more expensive – problem.
Table of Contents
Signs of a Blocked Drain
1. Bad Smells Coming From the Drain
Drains that are clogged create foul and unpleasant odors. Food particles caught in the pipes can cause drains to become obstructed. As the food decomposes, it emits an unpleasant smell, which is exacerbated if the tap is turned on.
2. Slow Drainage
When the water in your shower, sink, or toilet starts to drain more slowly, you know you have a problem. In fact, if the drainage is particularly poor, the water may not be able to drain at all. If the water from all of these fixtures drains slowly, you have a clogged drain. If only the toilet or sinks are impacted, it is more likely that the problem is with the fixture itself.
3. Higher Water Levels and Overflowing
If the water level in your toilet rises more than typical when flushed, you have a toilet clog. However, if the water level in your drains climbs to the point of overflowing, there could be a much more serious problem.
4. Gurgling Sounds
When you run the tap or flush the toilet, you will hear a weird gurgling sound, which is the first symptom of a problem. The air that has been trapped in the pipes before being forced up through the system causes this. This could be a sign of a blockage, especially if it is accompanied by one of the other warning indications.
What Should You Do If You Think You Have A Blocked Drain?
It can be tempting to try and save yourself some money by dealing with it yourself. The internet is full of things that will apparently help unblock a drain – boiling water, vinegar, baking soda, and various commercial drain cleaners. However, the best thing to do is to call a local plumber to unblock your drains. Home remedies are often a waste of time and money and can even cause the problem to get worse, not to mention be dangerous if you are mixing chemicals.
You can, of course, try using a plunger, but in many cases, a blockage can be much worse than it initially seems. If this is the case, only a professional plumber will be able to deal with it – and it is not always the most pleasant of jobs. However, they have the tools and the skills to deal with it as quickly and as effectively as possible.