Plumbing issues are one of the most common maintenance and repair jobs that homeowners face. Most of the time, many major plumbing problems are the results of drains and pipes that have become blocked or clogged. Clogged drains do unfortunately go unnoticed all the time, with minor leaks and overflows being overlooked until they get much worse and difficult to ignore. The good news is that if a blocked drain is repaired during the earlier stages, it might be possible to reduce damages and large costs. Some signs that you might have a blocked drain include:
Sluggish Drainage
If your sink and/or bathtubs are draining water unusually slowly, this is a clear sign that there is a blockage problem. The issue might be limited to just one pipe or there may be several instances of blocked drains almost anywhere in the house. When baths and sinks are draining very slowly, it could be a sign that there is a blockage in the sewer line. You can try pouring drain unblocker fluid down the affected plug to see if this helps first. If this doesn’t fix the problem, it might be time to invest in professional drain cleaning from Maplewood Plumbing.
Bad Smell
You may have noticed a faint bad smell in the bathroom or kitchen that does not go away after a few days. This is often a sign that you have a blocked drain. If the smell is around the kitchen sink, it may be due to food particles that have got stuck inside the drain and are rotting. You can dry and clear it with a drain unblocker or run lots of water down the drain with some lemon juice or soap to try and reduce the smell. If the smell is particularly bad, you might have an issue such as a dead rodent stuck in the drain which you will need to get a professional in to remove.
Toilet Not Flushing
There is definitely a problem with the drains if your toilet will not flush. This might be down to a blockage that has been caused by something in the toilet that should not have been flushed down it such as wet wipes. Or a reverse flow of drainage due to a blockage in the line can cause this issue. Either way, a toilet that is refusing to flush needs immediate attention. Usually, a plunger will enable you to clear a clogged toilet. However, if this does not work, you will need professional help.
Water Puddles
Clogged and blocked drains can lead to water puddles appearing in unexpected places for what might seem like no reason. Inside the house, this will be quite noticeable, but water puddles that are forming outside the house may go overlooked. It’s important to not ignore any kind of water puddles inside or outside of your home that you do not have a good explanation for and get in touch with a plumber to investigate the cause.
Clogged and blocked drains are a common problem, but if left unchecked they can quickly get much worse and cause a lot of damage to your home.
