Out of sight, out of mind. That’s often the case with pipes tucked away in cupboards and behind walls, running to places you don’t even think about day by day. But you soon remember when something goes wrong.
Blocked drains can cause serious damage to your home when left unchecked. And then there’s the stress (and inconvenience) of having to arrange emergency repairs and pay for them.
Fortunately, there is a way to stop this nightmare from becoming reality. Spotting these five early signs and acting on them by booking an inspection can save you from fronting up to a plumbing disaster.
1. Gurgling sounds
Hearing annoying gurgling from some of your fixtures? That’s a sign that there’s trapped air in your system, usually caused by a partial blockage and buildup of debris. As water flows through, it forces air bubbles up. This then creates the dreaded noise, which never seems to go away.
However, if you catch this early enough, a professional can perform a drain inspection to find the root cause and fix it. The key is acting quickly by booking a service with a blocked drain specialist.
2. Unpleasant odors
Nasty smells from sinks and drains aren’t normal, even during the summer months. Food waste and grease can build up over time and decompose in your drain. You wouldn’t want that in your bins, never mind your pipes! When left to stagnate and grow bigger, these masses can cause major blockages and bigger stenches.
If you catch a whiff of foul odors, take it as a sign to act. Clearing out all the scum in your drains will make your home fresher and habitable, while eliminating the risk of very expensive blocked drain repairs in the future.
3. Slow drainage
A slow-draining sink or bath is more than just an annoyance. It’s a sign that something is clogging your pipes. This might be caused by a build-up of soap or hair. Whatever it is, don’t just shrug it off. Failing to act can make the problem much worse, and even stop water from flowing entirely.
Getting in a specialist for blocked drain repairs will get rid of pesky clogs and return your water levels to normal.
4. Rising water levels
This one is harder to spot. The slow rise of toilet or shower water in the bath or cubicle might not scream: emergency! But it is actually a sign that the drainage system isn’t working as intended. When ignored, it could eventually back up and flood your floors, leading to very serious water damage and renovations that will leave you out of pocket (and even a home for a short time).
Routine inspections and maintenance are great for rectifying issues that homeowners can easily miss every day.
5. Frequent clogs or backups
If the plunger is quickly becoming your best friend, it’s a sign that something isn’t quite right. Frequent clogs or backups, even if they clear temporarily, point to bigger issues. It could be a buildup of grease or even structural issues with your plumbing. It’s best not to take a chance.
Rather than resorting to quick fixes (again), it’s a good idea to call in a blocked drain specialist for an inspection. Taking the time to greenlight repairs now will prevent much bigger headaches for future you!
Don’t wait until it’s too late
The longer you ignore telltale signs of deeper plumbing issues, the bigger (and more expensive) the problem can become. Hopefully, this blog has armed you with the knowledge to escalate problems where necessary and call in the professionals. Clearing out your blocked drains and pipes could prevent untold damage to your home.
Worried about blocked drains in Melbourne? If you’ve spotted one of these early red flags, don’t wait. Drain Fixers can diagnose major problems fast and clear the blockage safely. Contact us today to book your drain inspection.