Drains don’t tend to be on the top of everyone’s list when it comes to household jobs, but maintaining your drainage system is vital to the smooth running of your home. We use and rely on our drains every single day – whether it is having your daily shower, washing up after your evening meal, or using the toilet. Having a blocked drain in Liverpool can be extremely inconvenient, and can turn into a hefty and unexpected bill if you are not careful.
Drain repairs, Liverpool and elsewhere can become a tricky job depending on the location and how bad the problem has become. As your drainage system is underground or inside the walls of your home, it can be difficult to tell when a block is starting. However, most major plumbing disasters can be avoided if you recognise the signs and call in the professionals. There are several signs that you can look out for which indicate you need drain repairs, and we’ve put together a list to help you spot them early.
One of the first things that people usually notice when there is an impending drain problem is slow or sluggish draining. If running water is taking a long time to go down the plug hole, or you find water backing up from your pipes into the sink or bath, there are chances that you have a clogged pipe. While a slow drain might only seem like a minor inconvenience at the time, it could indicate a large blockage or even pipe damage – which will eventually lead to a costly drain repair in Liverpool if left to its own devices. It is always best to sort out a slow drain sooner rather than later, and bathrooms and kitchen sinks tend to be the first culprits. Soap scum, fat, grease, cosmetic products, and everything else you wash down the plug will build up over time and narrow the width of your pipes without you realising. A regular drain clean will help to keep everything running freely, and avoid plumbing emergencies.
A lingering, unpleasant smell can indicate that you need to give your pipes some TLC – and quickly. As mentioned before, kitchens and bathrooms tend to be the most regularly used in the house, and they can be prone to build-ups of unpleasant waste, including hair, cooking oil, soap, grease, and other food waste. You don’t know how long this has been collecting, and eventually all of this organic matter will start to decompose. Pipes make the perfect breeding ground for mould and bacteria – dark, damp, and enclosed – and it needs to be seen to as soon as possible. In most cases, the smell can be eliminated by cleaning the blockage using home remedies such as boiling water, bleach, or baking soda and vinegar, but if you notice the smell is still there you need to call in the professionals.
Sudden pools of water, either around your outside pipes or in your shower or bath, are a common sign that your pipe has developed a leak. While slow drainage might seem like a minor inconvenience, pools of standing water can indicate something much more serious. Not only can a leak and standing water cause a threat to the structural integrity of your house, it can aggravate certain health problems such as asthma. It is important that you call in the experts and organise your drain repair in Liverpool as soon as you notice the standing water.
You need good water pressure and flow to ensure that your drains are flushing the waste water away from your house effectively, so if you notice that your water pressure has dropped it is worth calling us here at Mersey Rod. Low water pressure can be caused by clogged pipes, and it is likely that you will notice the difference in water pressure as soon as you turn the tap or shower on. If your water pressure doesn’t improve after a few hours, you might have a broken drain or a leak, so it is important that you get the professionals to try and find the source of the problem.
A sudden or slow increase in your water bills might not seem like a sign of clogged drains, but it is one of the biggest indicators that you have a leak somewhere in your drainage system. If you have ruled out any other factors (new washing machine, or people staying over) then it is worth calling someone to take a look for any hidden leaks. Some leaks can be found by simply listening for dripping water, whereas others might need a CCTV survey to find the source of the problem – especially if the leak is hidden deep within your pipe system.
Having to unblock your toilet more than normal, or having to use the old baking soda and vinegar down the drain method more frequently than usual means that there is a hidden problem. Drains will naturally clog from time to time, but it is unusual for the clog to keep returning when you have been getting rid of them. This is usually a sign that there is a problem hidden inside your pipe system, and you will need a professional plumber to come and assess the situation.
If you have noticed that your drains have become more vocal recently, then this means that you are in need of professional drain repairs. If you have a clog that is a little bit too far out of reach for the plunger, or that little bit too big to be removed by store bought drain cleaners, then you usually need something more heavy duty to get rid of it. As you flush water down the drain, the water tries to get round the hidden clog and forces the air out of the way – which is where the gurgling noises come from! You will find that when a drain starts to make these noises, it is almost impossible for you to get rid of it without a plumbing technician. Ignoring the noises will also mean the clog is left to get bigger, and you could be left with a burst pipe or a leak which nobody wants to deal with!
If you have noticed any of the warning signs listed here, then you need to get in touch with the experts – and quickly. Here at Mersey Rod, our drain specialists are on hand to provide a full range of services, from CCTV surveys to quickly locate the source of the problem, right through to high pressure jet washing to get rid of those troublesome clogs. No matter how big or small your problem, get in touch with our friendly team for advice and solutions. We aim to have you back and up and running again quickly and in the most cost-effective way possible. Get in touch today to find out more information.
