Are you ignoring blocked drains in your home? Blocked drains are utterly disgusting, as they can accumulate harmful bacteria, standing water and other unwanted matter.
If you have been smelling a foul odour in your home or noticed that the water pressure from your shower is slower than usual, chances are you have a blocked drain. We know ignoring the clog and going about your day can be tempting. However, you’d be surprised to know how harmful that can be in the long run.
Today, we will shed light on what could happen when you ignore a blocked drain and what may be causing the block in the first place.
Some Common Reasons For Drain Blockage
1. Hair
A clogged drain due to loose hair is the most common type of clog. It is relatively easy to fix, but you should never ignore it. And many solutions can solve this problem and avoid it in the long run. One includes vinegar and baking soda solution, while another method is manually pulling the clogged hair.
You must be consistent with hair removal, or else the build-up can be more than what you can pull out. To prevent the entire situation from happening again, we’d advise cleaning the drain once a week or once in two weeks.
2. Plants And Dirt
A lot of the time, natural debris can be a problem for drains. If you water them in the shower or sink, this can be debris from your garden or indoor plants. Apart from debris, tree roots can grow downwards in search of water and end up finding and damaging your drain, ultimately causing a clog or a slow-draining sink.
3. Grease
Like hair build-up in the bathroom, grease and fats can build up in your kitchen sink over time. When poured down the drain, the grease sticks to its sides and causes build-up to a point where no liquid can pass through, resulting in a slow-draining sink.
4. Toiletries
A common habit among homeowners is disposing of toiletries like nappies, sanitary napkins, and baby wipes down the toilet bowl. When these items absorb the water from the drain, they expand to clog the drain.
5. Broken or Burst Pipes
Pipes do not last forever- they may break for various reasons, such as tree roots or wear and tear. And such pipes will invariably cause clogs or even leaks in some cases.
A broken or burst pipe is an issue you can detect by yourself. Some warning signs of broken pipes are water staining your walls and roof leaks. It is best to call a licensed plumber to talk about the different pipe repair options.
Signs Of A Clogged Drain
In most cases, you can solve the problem of blocked drains by pouring some boiling water down the drain along with a drain cleaner. But this will yield little to no results in case of severe clogs.
If you experience the following problems even after using the hot water method, it would be wise to call a professional plumber:
- Foul smell
- Low water pressure
- Low water levels in toilets
- Noisy or gurgling drains
What Happens When You Ignore Blocked Drains?
A major blockage in your drain is a common issue, which won’t become a huge problem if fixed on time.
If you ignore these blockages, the build-up inside the pipe can be difficult to remove, ultimately reducing water flow, and you may need a professional plumber. The intensity of the block can also result in burst pipes with flooding that emits terrible odour even before you can call them.
Apart from that, ignoring a blocked drain can lead to the following:
1. Poor Drainage
This one is pretty self-explanatory- if you ignore your blocked drain, it can result in the drainage system functioning poorly. You will experience slow-draining sinks or showers, and the drainage will get progressively slower as time passes.
2. Leakage
Since there is a lot of pressure build-up from the clogs in your drains, it can lead to leaks in the future and cause further damage. These leaks can cause events like flooding or warping of your walls.
3. Dirty Water
If you leave your clogs unattended, bacteria can form in these clogs. Bacteria will ride along with the water when it passes through, and you will end up with dirty water.
4. Damage To Structural Integrity
Clogs aren’t only going to affect your pipes but your home’s infrastructure as well. Ignoring a block can result in staining the walls or forming mould and cracks.
5. Poor Water Flow
A sudden reduction or halt in water flow from the taps can mean you face low water pressure or a flow issue. It can also signal sediment build-up within the pipes, causing a clog.
6. Health Hazards
A blocked drain essentially means that all the dirty water in your drain has nowhere to go. Hence, it will start accumulating bacteria and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Though mosquitoes are the most common pests attracted to still dirty water, some rodents can also turn the clog into their home. These pests can, in turn, cause several health concerns.
What To Do When You Have A Emergency Clogged Drain
If you notice early signs or a block, take those as a warning. The initial thing you can do is follow what we have mentioned in the guide. Additionally, you can easily use kitchen items like baking soda and vinegar to clear your drain. Using a drain snake or plunger can also be optimal. As such, fixing certain drain blocks can be resolved with some DIY.
There are also a few simple steps you can take to prevent blockages and water damage. Avoiding pouring grease and oil down your drain will stop any unwanted clogs in your kitchen sink. Also, don’t put foreign objects, sanitary products or food scraps in your drains. Keep up regular maintenance, and if you notice any common signs of a blocked drain, such as unpleasant odours or water unable to flow down the drain, contact a professional!
The Warning Signs: Have You Got A Blocked Drain?
A blocked drain is more common than you may think. However, it being a common problem does not equate it to being dismissable. And your priority should be to fix the problem immediately to avoid any related health issues and plumbing problems.
Here at Fixed Today Bondi, we have years of experience in plumbing and offer emergency services so that you never ignore a blocked drain. We help with drain maintenance and replacements to ensure your plumbing system functions correctly. You can reach out to us to get an effective solution for your clogged drain issues.
We hope you now understand why you should never ignore a blocked drain. From a slow-draining sink to blocked stormwater drains, leaving them will only cause further damage.
Take care, see you next time!
