There are some household problems that can be ignored but a blocked drain is not one of them. Leaving a drain blocked can lead to floods, overflowing drains or serious damage. Read on for the main signs you need to look out for if you suspect you have a blocked drain in your home and whether you can fix the problem yourself.
Water Draining Slowly
If the problem gets more serious, you may find that the water will stop draining altogether. It is always worth checking, though, that the problem is with the drain rather than the fixture itself.
Bad Smells
If a drain in a sink has become blocked, it may start to smell unpleasant. This is because particles of food or waste products get trapped in the pipes and start to decompose. It will be most obvious when you run water in the sink as this will dislodge the bacteria.
A Gurgling Sound
Another sign of a blocked drain is a gurgling sound when water runs away. This is caused by trapped air being pushed through the blockage and through the system.
CCTV drainage surveys Alcester can help to ascertain whether you have a blockage in your system. Specialist drain firms such as https://www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/cctv-drain-surveys-alcester/ can help with this process.
What can you do to help the blockage?
If it is just one sink in your house that is blocked, it may be clogged with food or hair. This can be solved by using a plunger. Press and pull rapidly for 30 seconds. If this doesn’t help, you may need to plunge for longer.
For an extra blockage-clearing boost, putting a small amount of baking soda mixed with white vinegar down the plug hole can help. Leave for up to an hour but be careful with this method if you have old pipes as it can cause corrosion.