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?ve caught a whiff of something unpleasant at home or noticed your shower?s water pressure dropping, you could be dealing with a blocked drain. It?s all too easy to ignore these things, but you?d be amazed at how much trouble a neglected clog can cause over time.
Today, we will explain what could happen when you ignore a blocked drain and what may be causing the blockage in the first place.
Some Common Reasons For Drain Blockage
1. Hair
Hair clogging up the drain is about as common as they come and thankfully, pretty easy to fix. But you shouldn?t brush it off. There are several ways to tackle it, like using a vinegar and baking soda solution or just pulling the hair out yourself.
It would be best if you were consistent with hair removal, or else the build-up can be more than what you can pull out. We?d advise cleaning the drain once a week or once every two weeks to prevent the entire situation from happening again.
2. Plants And Dirt
Natural debris can often be a problem for drains. If you water your garden or indoor plants in the shower or sink, this debris can be from your garden. 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 yourself. Some warning signs of broken pipes are water staining your walls and roof leaks. However, it is best to call a licensed plumber to discuss 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. However, this will yield little to no results in the case of severe clogs.
If these issues persist even after trying the hot water trick, it?s time to bring in a pro:
- Pungent smells
- Weak water pressure
- Toilets with low water levels
- Drains making odd gurgling noises
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.
Ignoring these blockages can make the build-up tough to clear, cutting down your water flow and eventually requiring a professional plumber. A severe block might even cause your pipes to burst or lead to flooding, which could stink up the place before you know it.
Apart from that, ignoring a blocked drain can lead to the following:
1. Poor Drainage
This one is pretty self-explanatory?ignoring your blocked drain 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 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.
Preventing blockages isn?t rocket science. Avoid pouring grease and oil down your kitchen sink. Steer clear of tossing foreign items, sanitary products, or food scraps in there too. Regular maintenance is key, and if you catch whiffs of unpleasant odours or notice water not draining, it?s definitely time to call in the experts!
The Warning Signs: Have You Got A Blocked Drain?
You might brush off a blocked drain as no big deal, but it?s more common than you realise. Just because it?s common doesn?t mean you should ignore it. Make it a priority to deal with it right away to dodge health risks and plumbing hassles.
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 also help with drain maintenance and replacements to ensure your plumbing system functions correctly. Contactus for a practical 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!
