Blocked drains are an unfortunate yet common issue many homeowners face, and when they occur, they can cause problems for homes and businesses. Regular maintenance and mindful kitchen and bathroom habits can help reduce the frequency of blockages, but sometimes they still happen and catch us off guard. If you suspect you might have a blocked drain, it’s crucial to detect it as soon as possible to prevent further complications. It can be tricky to recognise the signs of a blockage and know when to contact a drainage specialist. In this post, we’ll share how to identify if you have a blocked drain and explain why it’s essential to contact a drainage specialist if you notice any of these signs.
Signs You Might Have Blocked Drains
Slow Drainage
One of the most common signs of a blocked drain in a home is if water starts draining slowly from a kitchen sink, toilet, bath or shower. As a blockage builds up within your pipes, water will begin to drain more slowly because it can’t pass through the obstruction that’s lodged in the pipe. This is often an early sign that something is wrong. If the blockage worsens, water may stop draining altogether, leading to serious issues like overflowing sinks or toilets that can cause further damage and costly repairs.
Unusual Gurgling Noises
If you’re hearing unusual gurgling noises coming from your pipes, this can also point towards a potential drainage blockage. These noises usually occur because air gets trapped in the pipes when there’s a blockage, and when water tries to flow through, it forces the air to escape, creating the gurgling sound. This sound is often heard in sinks, bathtubs, or even toilets, and ignoring it could allow the blockage to worsen, potentially leading to more serious plumbing problems.
Unpleasant Smells
When you turn on the tap and detect foul odours, it’s often a strong sign that you likely have a blockage. Drains typically become blocked due to food debris, grease, soap scum, or other residues building up over time, and as the blockage worsens, the trapped material can begin to decompose, resulting in bad smells. Left untreated, this can lead to more severe clogs or even leaks. If you detect unpleasant odours, it’s time to contact a specialist to address the blockage before it worsens.
Resurfacing Water
Blocked drains can also cause resurfacing water, which occurs when wastewater comes back up through drainage points like your sink or toilet. When drains are blocked, water has nowhere to go, so it begins to back up into your fixtures. As pressure in the pipes builds due to the obstruction, water can resurface and even overflow, creating a mess and potential water damage. This is especially common in toilets or sinks and can indicate a significant blockage that needs immediate attention.
What Can Cause Blocked Drains?
Blocked drains can occur for a number of reasons, one of the most common being food or oil residue clogging up kitchen pipes. This happens when food particles, grease, or oil are washed down the sink, gradually building up and clogging the drains, eventually leading to blockages.They can also occur from flushing items down the toilet that shouldn’t be disposed of in this way, such as baby wipes, sanitary products, or cotton buds. Another frequent cause of drain blockages is hair becoming trapped in bathroom drains, which accumulates and restricts water flow.
Why Contact a Drainage Specialist?
If you think you might have a blocked drain, contacting a drainage specialist like Absolute Leak Detection, as soon as possible is essential. Drainage problems left unchecked tend to worsen over time, potentially leading to pipe bursts, flooding, or even structural damage to a property. Blocked or malfunctioning drains can also lead to the buildup of stagnant water and sewage, which can seep into walls, floors, and foundations, causing property damage and even flooding. By identifying and addressing the issue early, you can significantly reduce the cost of repairs and avoid more severe damage.
Absolute Leak Detection; Expert Drainage Services
If you suspect blocked drains or other drainage issues in your property in Leigh-on-Sea, you can rely on our team at Absolute Leak Detection to help. We pride ourselves on providing professional drainage services, serving clients across Essex, including Leigh-on-Sea. We are able to handle all types of drainage issues – no matter how big or small – at affordable and budget friendly prices.
We combine the most advanced technologies with traditional methods, bringing the skills, expertise, and knowledge needed to fix any drainage problem. Plus, we offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees, so you won’t be met with any added charges. We also complete all of our drainage services efficiently and around your schedule, to cause minimal disruption and to fix the problem in no time.
To speak with our team about our drainage services, get in touch with us today, and we’ll provide you with a free quote for drain unblocking in Leigh-on-Sea. Ensure your drains are clear and flowing freely with Absolute Leak Detection.