Even though it’s been said that time is a great healer, when it comes to blocked drains, time will simply make matters worse, which could cause major harm to the drain or even cause it to start overflowing. So it makes sense to respond fast and take
the necessary action to solve the problem before it escalates.
But what are the warning signs you need to watch out for? This guide will help you identify the early warning signs of a problem and decide if the task can be completed on your own or if professional assistance is required.
1. Unpleasant smells
If your drain is blocked, it’s obvious that it won’t smell as well as it should. Bits of food and other organic matter getting stuck in the pipes and beginning to decay can cause a blocked drain to smell terrible. Running the water will frequently increase the odour because it stimulates the bacteria.
Water drains away slowly
When the water in your shower, sink, and toilet starts to drain slowly, that is another obvious clue that something is wrong. In fact, if the drainage is extremely poor, the water might not even begin to flow away. If any of these fixtures have sluggish water drainage, your drain is blocked. The problem is more likely to be with the fixture itself if the sink or toilet is blocked.
2. A gurgling sound
When you run the water or flush the toilet, you may hear a gurgling sound as the first indication of a problem. This is brought on by the air that was forced upward via the system but was first caught in the pipes. When coupled with one of the other red flags, this may very likely be a signal of a blockage.
3. What are your options?
Before seeking out professional help, there are a variety of treatment ts you can consider.
Get plunging
If there is only one blocked fixture in the entire house, it might be simple to fix. Hair can block shower drains, and food and other objects can clog sinks. If you think that might be the case, fill the plunger with water (this helps to put more force on the cause of the blockage and start plunging) and press and pull quickly for around 30 seconds.
If the water begins to drain slowly, more plunging is necessary. If the water drains fast, the obstruction has been removed. If it doesn’t work, try pouring a little baking soda and then a cup of white vinegar down the plughole.
Tackling the outside drains
You have an issue with the outdoor drain if every fixture in your home shows signs of a blockage. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty (figuratively speaking, of course), put on the necessary safety gear (gloves, a mask, and some old clothes) and grab your drain rods.
Step 1:
The drain cover needs to be taken off first, which can be done using a screwdriver or, if there is one, a handle. If it still won’t move, tie some rope around the handle and tug on it to provide the necessary leverage.
Step 2:
Have a look inside the drain now. If the drain chamber is overflowing with water, the blockage is located after the chamber. If the chamber is empty, the blockage has already happened elsewhere. The next step is to go on until you reach a chamber one that is neither totally full nor empty.
Step 3:
It’s time to grab the drain rods and attempt to free the blockage while still wearing your protective gloves. When you detect a block, keep pushing the rod through while turning the screws clockwise. This ought to clear the blockage and get rid of any grease or filth.
Step 4:
You should then run some fresh water through the blockage to see if it’s completely gone.
Sometimes only a professional will do
Unfortunately, the blockage is often tricky to remove, making professional drain clearing the only option. We provide a drain clearance service in Bournemouth and Poole that frees drains of encrustations, obstructions, tree roots, and any other type of clogging or debris you encounter when you do need professional assistance. Please contact us right away to speak with a local engineer.
