As homeowners, it’s important to try and spot minor issues before they develop into larger problems. This makes good sense, things don’t get better by themselves, and a larger problem is always harder and more expensive to fix. This is very applicable to your drain system, and there are clues if you can recognize them. Here are five signs that your drain is blocked.
- The Sink, Tub, or Toilet is Draining Slowly
Or perhaps the fixture is not draining at all. If you notice that the water cannot drain away efficiently, this is a sure sign that you have a drain clog. If you only notice that one fixture is affected, the clog is likely to be in the trap for that fixture. The trap is the U-shaped pipe located under the drain that prevents sewer gases from entering the home. The bottom of the trap should be filled with water to dissipate any gas and prevent foul odors. If you can push a clog past this point manually, you may be able to clear the drain. If you’re not certain about dealing with a stubborn clog, contact your local licensed plumber to fix it for you.
2. Multiple Drains are Clogged
Unlike the scenario above, this is a clog that is affecting multiple drains at the same time. This is a sure sign that the clog is located somewhere along the sewer line from your home. This line is where all the wastewater and waste in your home is sent underground to the municipal sewer system on your street. This is a bad kind of drain clog to get, and you cannot reach it or remove it without professional help. A local certified plumber can clear this clog for you with specialist tools and the experience to use them.
3. Foul Odors
This can be caused by a blockage that isn’t noticeable (yet), and the location is usually a kitchen sink. The typical cause is organic waste that has become trapped in the drain and is now rotting. In some cases, the cause could be a sewage backup due to a blocked sewer line.
4. Strange Noises
Most of the plumbing and drain pipes in your home are connected together. So if you can hear any strange noises, such as gurgling, hissing, bubbling, banging, and dripping, this can indicate a problem somewhere. This is hard to identify without extensive plumbing knowledge, and it’s important to contact a licensed plumber to inspect the system for you.
5. Running Water
If you find that you have running water in your bathroom that causes the toilet bowl to fill constantly, there is a drain clog. The drains of every fixture in your bathrooms are connected together to drain the wastewater away from the home. If you have a single outlet or plumbing fixture that affects the water level in another, the blockage is probably in the upper part of the drain line.
If you’re concerned about a drain blockage in your home, contact your local licensed plumber for expert help and advice.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
