You might think that a blocked drain is easy to detect. Sometimes it is. But other times, things that you might think are innocent or normal – like certain noises – can turn out to be something more worrisome and should be investigated. If left undetected, drainage issues can develop into more serious situations that can wind up being expensive, unsanitary and highly inconvenient. In this article, we break down some of the signs that can indicate a blocked drain.
There’s a strange smell
If there is a bad smell emanating around the house, it can be an indication that there’s a blockage somewhere in either your internal pipework or in part of the drainage network around your home. Sometimes, a smell might come up through your kitchen sink, and this can happen when food waste has been flushed down there whilst washing up. It’s super common for people to dissolve left over bits of food, using hot water from the tap whilst doing the dishes. But if this happens on a regular basis instead of being scraped into the bin, sludgy food can become backed up in the pipes around the sink and cause foul smells. If left for long enough, this situation can cause more serious issues which are harder to resolve yourself. If there are bad smells coming up through your bathroom sinks or from the toilet, as well as the kitchen sink, this is a telltale sign of an underlying drainage problem and should be investigated quickly. Often, a smell arises before any visual indicators. So, catching a blocked drain at this stage could save you from a more serious problem and a more costly resolution.
Water isn’t draining away
It’s not uncommon for the water in a toilet to rise unexpectedly when flushed. This is often just a sign that either a lot of tissue or a foreign object has been flushed down. Usually, this will resolve itself and become unclogged. However, if the water in your toilet, bathroom and kitchen sinks are either draining slowly or not draining at all, then this is definitely a signal that there is an issue with the pipework or a blocked drain. Additionally, if flushing the toilet causes water to gurgle or rise in your sinks or vice versa, then it’s almost certainly time to call someone out to investigate. Checking any external drains to see if there is water bubbling or rising around them can give you an idea whether the issue is related to the sewer drain or more internal.
Unusual sounds and noises
If your pipes or sink are making unusual sounds, such as gurgling or sucking, this is an indication that something abnormal is going on with your drainage. Unfamiliar noises in your pipes are usually caused by air being trapped somewhere because of a blocked drain. Sometimes this might force the air to come back up or out through the toilet or a sink plughole – which can then lead to the foul smells outlined above. Occasionally, gurgling can be temporary and might just be a larger than usual item trying to make its way out of the pipes, however, if any unusual sounds persist, don’t hesitate to get it inspected.
How to resolve a blocked drain
It goes without saying that any serious investigative work on drainage should be expedited by a professional. Do not go removing any manhole covers or trying to unscrew pipework yourself as this can not only be dangerous but also cause damage to your and potentially others property. If any of the above signs are consistently recurring within your own house, then you need to contact a professional
drain specialist, who will come and diagnose the issue and provide solutions. If you believe the issue lies outside your own property, then it will usually be the responsibility of the local sewage and waste water utility company to investigate and resolve. Establishing where the issue lies is often unclear though and the first port of call will usually be to involve professional drainage specialists who can determine who is responsible.
Dr Drainage – The Blocked Drain Specialists
If you are concerned about any strange noises, smells or rising water coming from your pipes, then Dr Drainage can help. Covering the Leeds area and beyond, they have a 24/7 emergency call out service and promise to be with you on the same day. Dr Drainage provide a friendly, professional service and can help with both diagnostic and solution drainage work. With their team of specialist engineers, they have you covered for any drainage issue. Contact them today to get the help you need.
