When drains go wrong it can be a matter of timing to mitigate the amount of the damage it could cause to your property. It’s always good to know some of the major signs of blockage because if you ignore the signs for too long then you may be looking at potential long term damage and hefty prices.
Luckily there are some very obvious signs that your drains and blocked or beginning to block which we’ll list in this article. Then, you may be able to use a few shop bought products and if the problem persists get in touch with us.
If you’re experiencing any of the issues listed below then you may have a blockage in the lines, meaning your drains may be pooling wastewater in the various pipework below your home. This may not even be an issue you’ve caused as some drains are connected to other properties. If left untreated for too long your manhole will fill with waste and potentially spill out back the way it’s meant to go.
Your toilet water level is rising.
This is one of the most obvious signs of blockage. If the water in your toilet has steadily begun to rise then you may be looking at a blockage along the line somewhere. If you notice this then we suggest first using a plunger and use some toilet drain cleaner, but if the problem persists then you may have the beginning of an underlining blockage issue.
Do not leave an issue like this too long as you don’t want backed up water spilling out onto your bathroom floor, call in the experts. Most blockage issues we can resolve the same day.
Sewage Smells coming from drains, toilets, or plugs.
Let us tell you right now this one you’ll absolutely know about. Smells from the blocked drain can be an awful thing and a very obvious warning sign of a blocked drain. The smell occurs with waste, food, and debris decomposing and wafting up the pipes to the nearest escape. These smells can pop up anywhere from outside your property to right inside your toilet.
If you notice a smell like this then it usually a good idea to a drainage expert involved to properly investigate the issue.
Gurgling water and noises from plugs.
Listen out for your bath and kitchen sinks gurgling and spluttering water. This can be an obvious warning sign of a blocked drain, the sound is caused by trapped air escaping when water runs.
What are the next steps?
Knowing the signs of a blocked drain is half the battle. We always educate our clients on preventative measures to stop a blocked drain, such as not flushing baby wipes, oil, fat, and food is a massive measure you need to take.
Secondly, try the home remedy methods first because you just be dealing with a minor blockage that can be cleared by tipping a bottle of drain cleaner down your plug or using something like soda crystals and finally trying to plunge your toilet.
Third, if the issue persists then it’s best to call out a drainage engineer. We can’t stress enough the danger of leaving this too long, blocked drains can break pipes and require the need for excavation and costly repair work. But, if caught early it may just require a quick drain jetting, unblocking, and chemical cleaning.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, so call us if you’re experiencing any blockage issue listed above and we can get to you for a free consultation for the next steps.
