What are the warning signs of a blocked drain?

Nobody wants to be dealing with a blocked drain, but it is something that every property owner will have to deal with at some point. Blocked drains can be extremely stressful and costly if you do not address the problem straight away. If you have blocked drains, it can be unpleasant for everyone involved thanks to foul smells and unusable pipes, which is why it is extremely important to know the early warning signs of a blockage – and what you should do to get the problem fixed quickly. The earlier you can identify drain blockages, the better your chance of preventing further damage to the pipework. As experts in drain unblocking in Liverpool, we have compiled a list of the most common signs of a blocked drain, so you will be able to spot the problem as soon as it occurs.

Early warning signs of a blocked drain

Unpleasant smells

One of the first signs of a blocked drain will be unpleasant and lingering smells that you simply can’t get rid of no matter how much you try. When you think about what can accidentally get stuck in your pipes – food, grease, hair, waste – it’s not hard to imagine what the smell will be like as this organic matter starts to decay slowly. If you have a small blockage that is preventing these from being flushed down properly, then the clog will only start to get bigger and the smell will start to get worse.

You can try to help drain unblock in Liverpool on your own by running hot water through the pipes to try and clear the blockage, but these types of blockages can be tricky and are usually hidden deep within your pipe system. If you are struggling to get rid of any nasty smells in your house, then call our team here at Mersey Rod for more help. We will be able to locate the blockage and get rid of it before it gets worse.

Noisy pipes

If your pipes or fixtures sound different to normal, then you might have a hidden clog in your drains. A gurgling noise is a sign of trapped air caused by a blockage, and you need to act quickly if you hear it in order to prevent further damage to your pipes. While some gurgling noises are natural in a pipe system, if they are persistent or extremely loud then it is usually an indication that something is not right. Every time you run the water, it is trying to force itself around the blockage, and the air that is trapped in your pipes will create a strange gurgling noise that you can’t miss.

Slow draining water

 If you start to notice that the water in your sink or shower is starting to take longer to drain fully, then you need to look at getting your drains unblocked in Liverpool as soon as possible. If the blockage is really bad, then the water might not drain at all – and this is something that you want to try and avoid if possible. Slow drainage might only be a problem in one fixture in the house, which means that the blockage is contained to one pipe. However, if you notice that all of your sinks and showers have started to slowly drain at the same time then this might mean you have a blocked sewer drain. It is important that you call us to help with your drain unblocking in Liverpool, as you need to get this sorted as quickly as possible before it permanently damages your pipes beyond easy repair.

Raised water levels

It is important to take notice of how your toilet flushes – if the water returns to normal after it has been flushed then there is nothing to worry about. If the water rises higher than normal and stays there, then you have a problem with your pipes. It can also cause water to rise in the shower or sink when you flush if you have a bad blockage, or vice versa – the shower could make the toilet water rise as it tries to drain. A good rule of thumb is, if any water-based appliance or fixture is affecting another, or causing water to appear anywhere else whilst it is being used, then this is a good indication of a blocked drain.

How can Mersey Rod help with your blocked drains?

Knowing the first indicators of a blocked drain is important, but is it even more important to know how to prevent these issues in the first place. In order to keep your drains in good condition, you need to follow these 3 steps:

• Be observant – one of the most effective ways to prevent drain issues is to simply look for the warning signs mentioned here, and act quickly if you see anything unusual. The quicker you act, the more damage you can prevent to your pipes, and keep the costs down!
• Waste disposal – ensure that you are disposing of food and sanitary products correctly instead of putting them down the sink or flushing them down the toilet. You will be amazed at how many blockages you can prevent by simply being aware of what is going down your sinks or in your toilets.
• Regular cleaning – add regular drain cleaning into your monthly routine by using the tried and tested home remedies. You can simply use boiling water to try and break down any blockages, or you can add baking soda and vinegar to your drains to try and shift the smaller clogs and keep your drains flowing freely.

Sometimes, blockages can happen even though you follow the rules above, but your pipe system is so large and hidden it’s no surprise! If you do find that you have a blockage that you can’t remove, then it is time to call in the professionals.

Here at Mersey Rod, we can help to identify the source of the blockage and keep your drains clear, and we aim to do it as quickly and cost efficiently as possible. We can offer a range of services to help tackle your drain problems, including:

• Drain Jetting – the easiest way to clear your pipes from any debris that could be causing clogs. A high-pressure jet is placed into your pipes, and will remove anything that is stopping the flow of water
• CCTV Drain Survey – this sounds complicated and expensive, but if you have a stubborn clog that won’t go it can help us find the exact location so we can offer the best solution

No matter how large or small the problem is, here at Mersey Rod we want to get you back up and running again as soon as possible. We have years of knowledge and experience to help get your drains flowing freely again, and our engineers aim to assess, diagnose and offer solutions that won’t break the bank. It is important that you don’t ignore these warning signs, as it could lead to a plumbing emergency which could be a lot more expensive and stressful. Get in touch with our friendly team today for more advice and information, we are always happy to help.