Any homeowner’s dread is discovering damage to their home, no matter how minor. The harm that occurs behind your walls and beneath your floors, on the other hand, is the worst. It’s too late to avert damage once it’s been revealed. The depth of a blocked sewer is one such damage.
Because you may not be able to identify a blocked drain in your home immediately away, it is critical to pay attention to the warning indications of clogged drains to protect your home from costly damage. Sometimes, even though it may seem like a normal leaking tap and you’ll attempt to fix the leaking tap, the underlying issue is much larger. It’s not as simple as fixing a tap.
Some of the Reasons for a Blocked Drain
Drain blockages can be caused by a variety of factors, making preventative measures difficult to specify. Different reasons will cause a blockage depending on where your drains are located in your property. Even unwillingly, grease and food will find their way into your sink and down your drain no matter how hard you try to keep them out. Over time, a buildup of food in your drain will cause a backup. A build-up of soap scum, filth, hair, and skin flakes in your bathroom can produce a clog over time.
Because you may not use your basement very often, your drains are often neglected, and as a result, blocks can form and worsen over time owing to a lack of preventative measures. If left addressed, these obstructions can lead to cracked or burst pipes, which can result in floods and significant water damage.
Symptoms of a Blocked Sewer
Because you can’t see inside your drains, determining where the block is coming from, or whether there is one at all, is difficult. If you discover that your toilets, bathtubs, and sinks are draining slowly or not at all, you most likely have a blockage.
Any notable odour, generally nasty, is worth noting and investigating. Bad odours can come from your drains and be caused by a build-up of debris, such as food, that has begun to decompose. If you observe your drains producing strange noises or gargling after the water has been drained, it could be a symptom of a blocked sewer or a drain.
Whom Should You Dial?
If you observe any of these indicators, consult a professional right away. If the block is on your property, it is your responsibility to pay someone to resolve the problem. If the block is located off your land but is impacting your property, the repair is the responsibility of your local water and sewerage utility.
Methods for Unclogging Blocked Drains
If your drain becomes stopped, there are steps you may do before calling a professional if you’re up for it.
- Pouring boiling water down the drain where the clog is found can aid in the removal of any clogged debris.
- Using a store-bought drain cleaner can also aid in the removal of any debris that has become lodged in your drain.
- Using a plunger on your toilet or drain can assist in moving clogged debris through the drain and clearing the flow.
If none of these options work, seek professional assistance. While a professional may recommend the above, they also have more advanced ways for removing the blockage. A professional can snake a drain using CCTV cameras to find the blockage and move it along.
