Thankfully, most of the time is relaxed for anyone who owns a property. They have done the hard bit by getting on the housing ladder, and don’t have to worry about unscrupulous landlords. They can change the layout of a home so that it suits the needs of those who live there and add the little touches that make spending extended time there more enjoyable. However, with ownership comes responsibility.
Regardless of how well someone looks after their property, carrying out regular maintenance, they will occasionally come up against common issues. Blocked drains are something that might start as something minor, but if not dealt with, can create a real problem. Here are 5 signs that it’s time to call out a professional with experience in drain plumbing to find a solution by using the correct tools.
- One of the earliest signs of a blocked drain is water that drains more slowly than usual, which is usually noticeable in sinks, showers, bathtubs, and floor drains. If water fails to disappear in the shower or takes much longer to empty from the kitchen sink, it usually means there is a buildup of debris, such as hair, soap scum, grease, or food particles, causing an issue. Persistent slow drainage often means that there’s a deeper blockage in the pipes that requires clearing.
- Identifying and fixing leaks is another job for the professionals, rather than an attempted DIY job that makes things worse. Foul smells coming from drains indicate it’s time to make a call, with blocked drains trapping food waste, grease, and other debris, which begin to decompose over time. This produces unpleasant odours spreading through the kitchen and bathroom, with the smell resembling sewage, which can indicate a more serious issue in the main drains.
- Strange gurgling sounds coming from the drains or toilet should never be ignored. Anyone who encounters such sounds after flushing the toilet or running water in a sink may mean that air is trapped in the pipes due to a blockage. This air gets pushed through the water as it struggles to pass the obstruction, creating unusual sounds and a sign of a blockage that could worsen.
- Assistance with drainage problems is sometimes available to those eligible, which might be when water is backing up into sinks, showers, or toilets, offering a clear and urgent sign that professional help is required. Water that backs up can cause property damage and create unsanitary conditions if sewage is involved, requiring specialist equipment.
- If a blocked toilet combines with a slow-draining shower, it suggests a deeper issue in the sewer line, with multiple problems that require dealing with. It might be that tree roots, collapsed pipes, or heavy debris buildup are the cause, for which an experienced plumber will diagnose the root cause and carry out the necessary repairs.
Slow drainage, bad odours, gurgling noises, water backup, and multiple blocked drains are all signs that it’s time to call a plumber, with early intervention saving money on expensive repairs.
