Top 4 Signs of a Blocked Drained Shared by a Plumber

Blocked drains are an incredibly common household problem. Unless you address the issue properly, blocked drains can be time-consuming and costly to fix. A blocked drain can be caused by many different things including: 

Fat or grease

If you wash cooking fat or grease down your drain these substances will build up inside your pipes. After a while, your drains will become clogged. Fortunately, the solution is easy, simply avoid washing grease and fats down the drain.

Hair

When hair builds up inside your pipes, this can eventually lead to a blockage. The best thing to do is to purchase drain hair catchers, these devices help to prevent too much hair from going down the plughole.

Toiletries

If you flush too much toilet paper down the drain, this can easily cause a blockage. Baby waste products and wipes will also clog a drain, (these should always go in the bin instead of down the toilet).

Scraps of food

When food waste washes down your sink, you may end up with a blocked drain. Even if you use a garbage disposal unit, it’s best to keep food away from the plug hole.

Limescale

Limescale and calcium build-ups can also end up causing a blockage. The best thing to do is to descale, you might also consider using a water softener.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you can still end up with a blocked drain. But how do you know if your drain is blocked in the first place? Here are the top four signs that indicate a blocked drain.

1. Bad smell

Have you noticed the smell of sewage in your kitchen or bathroom? A bad smell is one of the first signs of a blocked drain. If your drains have started to smell foul, you’ll need to contact your local plumber.

2. Overflowing

Water is supposed to flow down a drain, if you notice that the water is flowing back up, this is a surefire sign that you’ve got a blockage on your hands.

3. Gurgling sounds

Have you noticed a gurgling sound coming from your drain? This means that the water is pushing back against the pipe. In most cases, this sound is also an indication of a blockage.

4. Slow draining

When you take a shower or run the water in your sink, the water should flow quickly down the drain. If the water is pooling and taking a long time to flow away, this is a sign that a blockage is getting worse.

To avoid blocking your drain be careful with food substances and hair near the plughole. Make sure that you descale your drains, or use a water softener. With the right preventative steps, you can avoid a blocked drain. If you suspect that your drain is blocked, you’ll need a licensed plumber. If you ignore the problem you could end up with damage to your draining system.