Signs You Have A Clogged Drain
As a proud homeowner we always want to make sure our home is being well looked after. This means that it’s not only important to know how to make sure your home is looking good, but to make sure you’re taking care of everything on the inside as well – like backed up drainage and plumbing systems. The tell-tale signs of a clogged drain are not always immediate as it can often take a while for the blockage to cause a build-up in your pipes. Once the blockage is starting to cause a problem, however, there are a few clear signs that become quite apparent when you have a clogged drain. So, to make sure your home plumbing system is well looked after, it is vital to know what causes a clogged drain, as well as what the signs are that you have a clogged drain. If you fail to do so, it could mean further damage to your pipes and plumbing system that could cost you more money in the long run.
Foul Smells
One of the biggest giveaway signs that you have a clogged drain is if you have an awful smell coming from a drain in your home. These bad smells coming from the drain are often caused by something that has gotten stuck in the pipes and has begun to rot. This can be anything from grease or fat, to bits of food that have been building up to cause a clog. Not only are foul smells one of the biggest signs that you have a clogged drain, but it is also likely to be the first. Often you will have a foul smell coming from the drain before you start to see any visual signs, so it is always important to take action as quickly as you can to get the drain fixed before it leads to further damage.
Slow Drains
Another tell-tale sign that your drain might be clogged, is if your kitchen or bathroom sinks are draining slowly. If the clog is fairly severe, then the water might not even drain at all. What is also important is to be able to recognize where the blockage is located within your plumbing system. If there is only one fixture in your home that seems to be draining slowly, then it is likely that there is just a clog in that particular drain. If there are a few areas in your home, such as your toilet, shower, or bathtub that are draining slowly, or seem to be backed up, then the clog is probably in the main sewer line.
Rising Water
The toilet is a good indicator of a clogged drain, as well as revealing the extent of the blockage. If the water rises in the shower or bathtub when flushing the toilet, then you definitely have a clogged drain. This also works the other way around, and applies to any other water-based fixtures that cause water to rise elsewhere when being used. So, if you notice the toilet bowl filling up with water when you’re running the faucet to brush your teeth, or you spot some water spilling out from a manhole cover outside your home, then it is likely that you have a clogged drain.
Strange Sounds
A final indicator that your drains might be clogged, is if you start to hear strange sounds coming from the pipes and fixtures in your home. Gurgling sounds of the water coming from your toilet flushes, bathroom, or kitchen drains, are all early warning signs that there could be a blockage. The gurgling sounds are caused when there is air trapped in the pipes caused by the blockage and the air becomes displaced and pushed up towards the drain hole.
What Can You Do Next?
If you’ve noticed any of these signs that your drain might be clogged, then it is probably best to take action as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your pipes and your home. The best thing to do is to not panic. Next is to seek out professional advice. It is often difficult to identify the extent of the problem yourself as you might not be equipped with the right knowledge or tools to fix it. At Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning, we use different ways to clean your drains and can provide you with a fast, hassle-free, professional service. If you think your home might be suffering from a clogged drain, give one of our plumbing professionals a call today, and we’ll do our very best to handle the situation for you.