Even households with the best drain maintenance schedule can face issues over time. Despite your best efforts, it’s not uncommon to experience a leak, foul smells, funky sounds or slow drainage as your pipes age and endure the toll of daily use.
It can be easy to ignore the issue if you find a quick fix, or it naturally subsides after a few days. However, addressing these signs promptly, finding the problem’s root cause, and enlisting the help of experienced professionals can save you from more costly, severe damage later on.
There are some common warning signs that might indicate an issue in your drainage system. Let’s get into it.
1- Slow Drainage
Often one of the first and most obvious signs of a clog, this problem is common in the bathroom or the kitchen, where grease, food scraps, soap and hair build up over time. It may seem minor initially but will gradually develop into a more significant problem or widescale drain blockage if not properly addressed.
Take the bathtub, for example; hair can tangle and accumulate in the drains, while soap scum can harden over time and shrink the pipe’s diameter. Other debris like plastic or metal can obstruct pipes and lead to slower drainage.
The kitchen sink is also prone to slow drainage due to grease and food waste buildup. Cooking oils are particularly problematic here as they can solidify in your pipes, restricting water drainage over time.
Regularly flushing your pipes with hot water can help reduce the impact of debris. If these attempts are unsuccessful, or you notice slow drainage in multiple areas of your home, it might be time to call a professional with specialised equipment and knowledge.
2 – Unpleasant Odours
Foul smells from your drains are hard to miss and should be fixed promptly. Although you might not see any water buildup, bacteria could be lying stagnant in your pipes and must be removed.
Other causes include mould growth, sewage line issues, trapped dirt, clogged vent pipes, tree roots or other plumbing problems. For temporary relief from the problem:
- Bring some water or white vinegar to the boil.
- Pour half down the smelly drain.
- A few minutes later, pour in some cold water to solidify the gunk.
- Pour in the second half of the hot water or vinegar to clear the drain.
For a permanent solution, seek help from a professional to ensure the root of the problem is dealt with, and you don’t risk the offensive smells returning. At The Relining Company, we use advanced CCTV camera inspections as a non-intrusive method of identifying the extent of any damage.
3- Gurgling Sounds
Just as a bad smell can indicate an issue, an unusual noise can signal something is amiss. Drainage systems require good ventilation for water to be pushed through. Poor drain venting or clogging causes gurgling sounds due to trapped air in the pipes.
For temporary relief from the problem:
- Pour a baking soda and vinegar mix down the drain.
- Allow it to sit for 15 minutes.
- Flush the drain with hot water.
If the sounds continue after trying this method, contact a professional for a closer look. It may indicate a significant blockage, similar to the issues discussed above, requiring advanced equipment and intervention.
Remember, a minor blockage can escalate into a larger obstruction, resulting in water damage, so addressing the sounds promptly is critical.
4- Water Backing Up
Water backup in your drains is one of the most apparent signs of a plumbing system issue. Not only is it unpleasant, potentially bringing up debris and unpleasant odours, but it can also be a health hazard. It’s most commonly caused by water struggling to move through a blockage.
But where might you see this issue most around the house? You may notice water back up after flushing the toilet or pools appearing by the washbasin or bath drains. Over in the kitchen, water may back up in other drains after you’ve run the dishwasher or washing machine.
If you do notice any water backing up, stop using the water immediately to prevent potential flooding and contact a professional.
At The Relining Company, we offer non-invasive, effective blocked drain repairs, addressing the issue from the inside out to ensure minimal disturbance to your property.
Immediate Steps to Take
As we’ve mentioned, it’s vital to move quickly when you notice issues such as slow drainage, strange smells or noises, or water backing up to prevent further, long-lasting damage.
While you wait for professional help, there are some practical steps homeowners can take when first noticing the signs.
- Stop using affected fixtures.
- Clear visible blockages if safe to do so.
- Carefully use a plunger on minor clogs.
- Pour hot water down the impacted drain.
- Try using a homemade baking soda and vinegar solution.
- Attempt a cold water flush.
You might notice that chemical drain cleaners are not on this list. For several reasons, it’s best to avoid these products.
- They only provide a temporary fix.
- Harsh chemicals can corrode pipes.
- Chemical fumes can be harmful if inhaled or cause burns if they come into contact with the skin.
Why Choose The Relining Company?
The Relining Company is here to clean and repair your blocked drains. We’re passionate about using non-invasive, advanced tools and techniques combined with high-quality materials to maintain the health of your drains and solve issues quickly and efficiently.
Choosing our no-dig, no-mess pipe relining solution over more traditional methods allows us to repair your pipes without even breaking ground.
Our CCTV drain inspection technology allows an experienced drain plumber to identify problems in pipes 40-450mm in diameter. Common issues fixed using this method include blocked drains, tree root damage, overflowing drains and noisy, smelly or leaking pipes.
Are you noticing gurgling sounds, foul smells, and slow drainage, or are you simply interested in the health of your pipes? Call The Relining Company today at (02) 8339 4695. One of our friendly professionals will be waiting to advise you and answer any questions you may have about our services.
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