Clogged drains are awful. Nobody likes to come home after a long day at work only to find that the sink is full of disgusting water or that the bathroom smells like a sewer. The good news is that you can identify a clogged drain before your home becomes filled with filthy water or smells like a sewer. Here are six common signs that you have a clogged drain and what you can do to fix it.
1. Water Draining Slowly From The Sink, Shower, Or Bathtub
A slow drain in your sink, shower, or bathtub is probably the most obvious sign of a clogged drain. This problem is caused by soap scum, razor clippings, food scraps, and any other type of debris that has the misfortune to fall into your drain.
The solution to this problem is to clear the drain of any hair or other debris that might be clogging it up. You can use a plumber’s snake or a plunger to clear your drain. Another viable solution for this problem is to boil a pot of water and to pour it down the drain. This will remove soap scum and dissolve other debris that might be caught up in the drain.
2. Bad Odors Coming From Sinks And Bathtubs
Bad odors coming from your kitchen sinks or tubs indicate that there might be something rotting in the pipes. Such smells can be caused by small food particles or organic materials decomposing in the drain.
The best way to fix this issue is by using a plunger or plumber’s snake to clear out your drain. You can also use boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar to clear out the blockage.
3. Toilet Doesn’t Flush Properly
If your toilet isn’t flushing properly and you’re finding yourself having to flush multiple times, this is an indicator that something is up.
This problem results from an accumulation of toilet papers or foreign objects like sanitary napkins, wipes, or children’s toys lodging themselves into your toilet’s pipes.
Your best bet is to use a plunger or a plumber’s snake to clear the obstruction. If this problem persists, you might need to call a professional drain cleaner to clear the blockage.
4. Water Pooling Around The Base Of Your House
If water is pooling around your front porch, back porch, or other areas near your home’s foundation, there is a good chance that there might be clogged drains or sewage issues.
This problem is mainly caused by grease buildup in the kitchen sink drain. Grease buildup in the drains hinders water flow, creating a soggy mess around your home’s foundation.
To fix this problem, you will need to clear your kitchen sink drain. You can do this by removing your sink’s trap and using a plunger to clear the drain. If this doesn’t fix the problem, you will need to call a professional plumber.
5. Plumbing Rumbles When You Turn On The Sink
If your plumbing system emits a rumbling noise when you turn on the sink, it means that water is beginning to back up in your drains. This is a sign that there might be an obstruction in your pipes.
The best way to fix this problem is always to remove the obstruction blocking your pipes. You can do this by using a plunger. If this problem persists, you might need an expert to look at your pipes and to clear the blockage for you.
6. Water Flows Up The Drain
Depending on the severity of the problem, water flowing up your drains can be a minor inconvenience, or it can be a major disaster.
The worst-case scenario is if your sink suddenly begins to fill with water and you can’t turn off the faucet. This indicates that there might be serious damage done to your home’s foundation, which could result from a flooded drain.
In the best-case scenario, water flowing up your drains can just indicate that something is blocking your pipes. In this case, you need to clear the blockage in your drain with a plunger or by using boiling water.
Clogged drains can be identified before they cause damage in your home. As long as you take care of these issues quickly, they shouldn’t cause more serious problems with your drain.
If you are located in Fountain Hills, AZ and need help clearing out your drains, you can call Travis & Sons Plumbing & Rooter today. In addition to our plumbing services, we also offer tankless water heater installation and shower repair and installation. Get in touch, and we’ll get your drains back on track.