Blocked drains are among some of the most common plumbing problems we experience in Perth. Identifying and responding to your early warning signs can save you from severe plumbing issues. Many drain blockages can be identified by using your 5 senses, although we highly recommend not to try your sense of taste!
Whether you notice a funny smell, hear gurgling sounds in the pipes or observe your sink is draining slowly, a blocked drain may be the culprit. That’s why we’ve compiled the top tell-tale signs that you have a blocked drain.
What Causes Blocked Drains?
Slow Drains
One of the first signs of a blocked drain is a slow-draining sink, shower, or toilet. This issue may start off mild but can worsen over time. Sinks, in particular, should be able to drain easily and steadily without any backwash or bubbles appearing but if everything appears to be draining very slowly, it is likely your sewer drain is affected.
Toilet Water Rising
Keep an eye on your toilet water levels if you suspect a blockage. If you notice that your toilet water levels are significantly changing or draining more slowly than usual, then this could be a sign that you have a blocked drain.
Gurgling Sounds
Another early warning sign of a blocked drain in your Perth home is unusual sounds, such as gurgling from the pipes. If the water struggles to drain away efficiently, you may hear strange noises.
These sounds could be caused by waste, food particles or hair trapped in the pipes, blocking the water flow or signalling a problem.
Be alert to unpredictable noises, such as:
- Gurgling in the laundry sink when someone flushes the toilet
- Gurgling in the kitchen when someone is using the shower
- Gurgling noises even when no water is being used.
Potent Smell
This is one of the most obvious early warning signs. When a blockage affects your plumbing, it often leads to unpleasant odours. But why does it happens? this usually happens when food debris and other organic causing the blockage begin to break down, producing foul smells around toilets, sinks, showers, and drains. The longer you leave this issue, the more debris can build up, and the more intense the smell can become! Our common sense might tell us just to keep running water, but this can aggravate potential bacteria. Calling a qualified plumber to resolve the situation would be best, as the pipes might have started rotting too.
Water Backup
Wastewater backup is something that you want to avoid at all costs. Such a thing occurs when wastewater doesn’t properly drain away from your home due to an obstruction or damage. This problem commonly occurs in the main sewer line that connects the house to the municipal sanitary sewers. In such a scenario, the pipes might be damaged by invading tree roots, ground shifting, pipe collapse, or corrosion.
Some issues that might flag an issue with your wastewater backup are:
- When waste backs up into another pipe when you flush the toilet or run a washing machine.
- When your toilet back up.
- Slow drains throughout your home
This situation shouldn’t be taken lightly. Aim to resolve the issue immediately by calling a professional, as toxins, viruses, and bacteria from the sewage can enter your home.
Frequent Clogs
If you find yourself plunging your toilet or unclogging the shower drain repeatedly, there may be a hidden problem due to hair or unflushable wipes. Paper towels and flushable wipes are the worst enemies of toilets, as they are designed to resist tearing, making it difficult for them to break down.
Although drains naturally clog over time, the issue should not be recurrent and you should call a plumber to look further into the issue.
Low Water Pressure
Over time, your home’s plumbing can develop clogs from the accumulation of mineral deposits, rust, and other debris. These blockages restrict water flow, leading to noticeably lower water pressure. Failure to address this issue could lead to further plumbing damage.
What To Do If You Have a Clogged Drain?
Once you identify one of the issues that has cause a drain blockage and you have identified the source of the blockage you will need to remove it. You can try using a plunger, chemical drain cleaner, or an auger. If the clog is one of the red flags we mentioned or if it turns to be worse than expected call The Plumbing Gas Hero for help and avoid future issues.
FAQs
Unfortunately, the answer is no — very small clogs may wash away on their own, but they can also develop into larger clogs that require a fix from a professional plumber.
If a drain is blocked, it’s advisable to contact a professional plumber for diagnosis and repairs to avoid these issues. Regular maintenance and using drain covers can help prevent blockages.
There are some house trick that you could use for simple blockages:
- Boiling Water: Pouring boiling water down the drain can help dissolve grease or soap buildup.
- Plunger: A good old-fashioned plunger can be effective for minor blockages
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: This natural remedy involves pouring a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain.
- Wet/Dry Vacuum: If you have one, a wet/dry vacuum can be used to suck out the blockage.
If these methods don’t work, or if the blockage is recurring, it’s best to call a professional plumber for assistance. Regular maintenance can help prevent future issues!
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