Clogged drains are some of the most common plumbing problems affecting homeowners. I know it only seems like a minor problem, but clogged drains can actually lead to some pretty devastating damage to your pipes, sewer system, and property. Here are 5 signs that you need professional drain cleaning services.
Slow Draining
One of the earliest signs that your drain is getting clogged, is slowly draining water. Drains don’t just decide to start working slower because they feel like it. This generally means something is wrong.
Check the drain opening for any obvious blockages before assuming the worst. If that’s not the case, then it’s possible to loosen up minor clogs, especially a clogged sink, by slowly flushing the pipes with hot water. Slowly pouring hot water down the drain helps break up any fat, oils, and grease (known in the biz as F.O.G.).
If a hot water flush doesn’t speed up your draining, then it’s time to call a plumber near you.
Frequently Clogging Drains
Having a minor clog in your drain line every once in a while isn’t too bad for your plumbing system. When those clogs become more and more frequent, that’s when it’s time to call in a professional plumber.
If the clogs in your drains become more frequent, it might mean you have trouble brewing in your pipes. For highly-used drains, like the ones in your bathtub or kitchen sink, clogged pipes can lead to some costly repairs down the line.
Strange Sounds in the Pipes
The strange sounds coming from your drain might actually be your pipes screaming for help, and it’s important for you to listen. Those nasty gurgling, dripping, and sucking sounds coming from the drain means there is a blockage in your pipes.
Large clogs trap air throughout your pipes and force water to squeeze it’s way through narrow gaps around the blockage. These are the sounds you’re hearing. If you have gurgling pipes or if you’re hearing other strange sounds in your pipes, then it’s time to call a plumber.
Nasty Smells Coming From the Drain
Do you smell that? If you notice a foul smell coming up from your drain, then you could have a pretty significant clog. Don’t worry, it’s nothing that a little professional pipe snaking can’t take care of.
Foul smelling drains are typically problems for sink drains or toilets, for pretty obvious reasons. Over time, food matter and other nasty materials get trapped in the pipes. Here, those materials fester and decay, creating that terrible smell.
If you start noticing nasty smelling water backing up in your sink, toilet, or tub, or if there are disgusting smells wafting up from your drains, then you’re definitely going to want to call in the pros.
Backed Up Water
The final straw, when it comes to clogged drains, is backed up water. The longer you wait to take care of your clogged pipe, the more catastrophic the damage could be.
As a blockage builds up in your pipes, it starts putting more and more pressure on the pipes, joints, and seals. If you don’t have a tight seal, or if there are any weaknesses throughout your sewer line, then it’s just a matter of time before utter disaster.
Backed up water puts too much strain on your plumbing system and can lead to damaged seals or burst pipes. Fixing these problems quickly add up and before you know it, you’ll be up to your eyeballs in expensive repairs. That’s why it’s always better to be proactive and invest in regular plumbing maintenance, including drain cleaning services, from the professionals.