As emergency plumbers, we’ve received many phone calls, usually late at night or on weekends, from homeowners who have encountered an emergency plumbing situation in which their sink or toilet is overflowing and inaccessible because of a blocked drain. However, can this nightmare scenario be avoided? What could you do to ensure that this does not happen to you?
Because blockages typically build up slowly, early detection is essential to ensure that the jam stays manageable and that you avoid getting into expensive and messy problems.
4 Indicators That a Drain Is Plugged
There are four warning signs we’d like to provide you with to ensure that you and your family don’t have to deal with the stress, hassle, and mess that comes with the emergency of a blocked drain:
The Levels of Toilet Water
When flushing the toilet, the water level may increase and gradually disappear or appear lower than usual in the toilet bowl.
Slowly Draining Water
It is possible to experience slow draining water from your tub, sink, or shower. Water can build up on the drain or the floor waste and then be able to drain slowly instead of immediately, as is the case if the trough is clean and in good working order. The blockage can increase as more and more items are introduced into the gutter, like food scraps or hair, which will be in a position to not pass through the obstruction.
The Smell of Foul
As time passes, the things trapped in the obstruction start to degrade and break down. The water becomes stagnant, creating an unpleasant smell around plumbing fixtures, drains, toilets, and bathtubs.
Noisy/gurgling Drains
A tub, sink or shower with an obstruction to draining could produce a gurgling sound when the water fights to drain quickly.
Get Rid of Your Blocked Drain
Untreated blockages can result in unsanitary water flowing from your bathtubs, sinks, and toilets. It is possible to see sewage flowing out of your yard’s inspection point/overflow relief gully. If you know these symptoms, contact your plumber as quickly as possible to schedule an inspection to determine any potential blockage.
We have observed that the blockage can go from being a minor issue to an emergency at the worst times at the end of the evening if your family or friends are staying with you or even on an official holiday!
Can I Fix My Blocked Drain Myself?
It is tempting to tackle the issue of your drain that gets blocked by yourself. We all want to save money!
The first sign of an obstruction to your drain is perhaps your friend is adamant about pouring dishwashing soap into your toilet to open it. Maybe your mother has employed a recipe consisting of baking soda, white vinegar, and boiling water to stop the problem of gurgling drains.
What they really will do is boost the sales of white vinegar at the grocery store. They can need help solving the drainage problem.
In addition, if you put them into the drain, you have blocked it, and they could get trapped in the blockage, which may further complicate the problem.
These DIY remedies could risk your health using store-brand drain cleaners and caustic soda. These products often get contaminated with toxic and harmful chemicals that may release harmful gases into your home and harm the surrounding. The worst thing is that they could cause burns and injuries to yourself and your family.
One option that works is the plunger that gets used in the past. A plunger can push the blockage down the pipe, which could help solve the immediate issue of water leaking from your drain. It’s unlikely that the plunger will solve the root of the problem.
Don’t take the risk, and don’t waste time and cash. Instead of risking personal injury or more damage to your pipes, we suggest calling a certified plumber.
We are Ottawa Plumbing Services; our trained experts in blocked drains draw upon our many years of experience and most advanced technology to determine the root cause of the blockage in your drain instead of merely addressing the symptoms.
We can repair any reason that causes a clogged drain, such as toys for children, hair that has accumulated inside bathroom pipes, or tree roots that damage your lines.
At Ottawa Plumbing Services, we endeavor to offer you an efficient and quick solution to your drain issue and ensure the family and your members can return to their daily routine with no hassle! We also provide upfront pricing and an experienced, professional immediate service.
We advise you to act now and call your plumber if you notice any warning signs before a small blockage becomes a significant issue. Call (613) 317-1682 or mail us at info@ottawaplumbingservice.com.
