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Blocked Drains: An Overview, Causes & Treatments

By Louis Koen

Dealing with a blocked drain may be a major hassle, and it can also lead to unpleasant odours and costly repairs. Inconvenience caused by a blocked toilet drain affects the whole family and highlights the need to detect drain blockages as soon as possible to avoid costly repairs.

Hence, rapid diagnosis of a drain issue is essential. If you suspect a blocked drain, get it fixed as quickly as possible.

What Would A Blocked Drain Appear Like?

Indicators of a blocked drain include water taking longer to drain from the sink, toilet, tub, or shower. If the obstruction is severe enough, the water may not be able to drain at all.

If only a single fixture is malfunctioning, the clog is likely to be contained in the pipe leading to that unit. However, if every drain in the house is blocked, the problem is in the main sewage line.

The bathroom might provide an insight into the full scope of the issue. When water levels in both the shower and the toilet rise after you flush or after you turn on the taps, you have a blocked drain.

Another sign of a blocked drain is the appearance of water elsewhere when utilising equipment that require water for operation. Consider checking the exterior drains and manhole covers on your property for signs of water accumulation. You should never enter a manhole, as doing so exposes you to harmful bacteria and fumes. Instead, inspect them from the outside.

What Odour Does A Blocked Drain Usually Emit?

The presence of a bad odour is a sure-fire sign of a clog. In most cases, the first sign of trouble can be detected by noticing a foul odour coming from the sink, tub, shower, or toilet. You may rest assured that you will be made aware of anything that has become stuck in the pipes and is beginning to deteriorate.

It’s common for unpleasant odours to appear before any outward physical signs. Hence, it’s important to pay attention to any peculiar smells that may be present in the house.

What Sound Does A Blocked Drain Make?

Another sign of a clog is noises coming from your pipes and fixtures that you haven’t heard before. Listening for gurgling in your sink drains or pipes might be an early indicator of a problem.

It is common for a drain to make strange noises when a blockage causes air to become caught in the pipes and then be shifted or forced through the system.

Symptoms Of A Blocked Drain

If the toilet is clogged or the sink in the kitchen won’t drain, it’s obvious that there’s a problem. Not all blocked drains are immediately evident, but there are some warning signals you may look out for:

Reduced water pressure
Moisture on the walls and floors of your home.
Fixing sinks, tubs, and showers that drain slowly.
Your yard is either sinking or filling with water.
You may smell something rotten or putrid coming from your drain.
There is a rumbling and gurgling sound coming from your drains.
When it rains, the storm drains and gutters can’t handle the excess water.
Water may be seen filling the pipes and inspection ports.
Your bathroom toilet has either an excessive or insufficient amount of water in it.

These are the telltale indicators of a blocked drain, so keep an eye out for them. The situation requires immediate attention from a blockage expert like Swell plumbing. If you ignore these warnings for too long, you may end up with a much bigger problem that will require more expensive repairs.

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6 Typical Reasons For Blocked Drains And How You Can Avoid Them

Drainage problems may seem insignificant at first, but they can rapidly become a serious disruption to your daily life. Slow water drainage, corrosion, flooding, and, in the worst case, sewage backup and expensive repairs might result from a blocked drain. The first step in preventing blocked drains is understanding what causes them. Here are the top 6 reasons why drains get blocked at home and some solutions to those problems.

1. Dirt

You might assume the purpose of your plumbing is to flush unwanted items down the drain. While it’s important to keep yourself and your belongings clean, too much dirt can clog drains. Excess mud and filth should be removed from garments and the body by shaking them or rinsing them in the open air before being brought indoors for washing.

2. Food Waste

Even if your sink is equipped with a garbage disposal, you should never put food scraps down the drain. Instead of throwing away food scraps in the trash, start a compost pile. In the case of nonbiodegradable garbage like used tea bags and coffee grounds, this is crucial. Grease and oil are two more items to avoid since they solidify in the pipes and produce clogs. You should use a paper towel to soak up the oil and then toss it in the compost bin.

3. Hair

It’s common knowledge that hair is a major cause of drain clogs because it readily combines with grease and other sticky things to form clumps. Avoiding hair blockages is preferable to dealing with them once they have formed. Install hair catcher screens over all drains and remove accumulated hair on a regular basis.

4. Tiny Objects

Even a small object can do significant damage if it makes its way into your plumbing system. Don’t flush anything but human waste and water down the toilet, and never flush anything else down the sink or drain. Any other item can be thrown away or recycled as appropriate. Professional assistance is recommended if any undesirable stuff has made its way into your plumbing supply and is causing problems.

5. Toilet Paper Buildup

Excessive use of toilet paper can prevent the flushing of toilets and lead to blocked drains. With a plunger, you can dislodge and move around some of the toilet paper if water still runs through your toilet after a flush. However, you should call a plumber to clear the clog if the toilet continues to overflow when flushed.

6. Tree Roots

Tree roots can invade your plumbing system through even the tiniest of openings. It can quickly enlarge inside of pipelines, creating blockages and even complete collapses. Rooter service, pressure jet cleaning, trenchless repair, or even excavation may be needed when dealing with tree roots in pipes. If you want to avoid an expensive and time-consuming repair, you should inspect the drains and the root systems of your trees and plants.

Final Thoughts

With so many potential origins, the optimal solution to blocked drains is to keep them clear. Never flush anything that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, and don’t try to clear drains with extra chemicals or things. And if the situation with your blocked drains escalates to the point where you need the assistance of a professional plumber, never hesitate to contact one!

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