Drain blockages can quickly become highly problematic for homeowners. They can result in toilets or sinks overflowing, spilling their contents all over the floor. If there is sewage involved, this necessitates some significant cleanup, and likely a call to one of the best San Antonio plumbing companies for repairs. At the very least, drain blockages render the drain temporarily unusable.
While it’s good to know how to clear blockages, it’s even better to understand the early warning signs of blockages so you can avoid them altogether. Here are just a few examples of some of those red flags you should watch for so you can avoid the stress of having to deal with a drain backup and everything that comes with it:
- Low water levels in the toilet: One of the most common early signs of a potential clog in the drain is low water levels in your toilet. When you open up the lid, the water level might be lower than usual. You might also see the water slowly rise up near the top of the toilet when you flush before it slowly drains away. You should take action to mitigate the blockage before it potentially worsens and results in an overflow.
- Bad smells: The longer a blockage sits down inside the drain, the more you’re likely to experience foul smells emanating from it. This is because the items that are trapped in the blockage will begin to decompose and the water will grow stagnant, resulting in bad smells coming from the drains. This can occur in toilets, tubs, showers, sinks and other types of drains.
- Slow draining: Another common sign of a potential backup is water that drains extremely slowly from your sink, shower or tub. Over the course of time, water might build up over the open drain and then drain away slowly, rather than immediately, as it should when there is no blockage and everything is in proper working order. You can expect the blockage to continue to get worse until you take the necessary steps to resolve it, as any items that go down into the pipe will be able to pass the obstruction that’s there. So, if you have slow-draining water, you should remove the blockage before it completely obstructs the flow of water down the drain.
- Excessive gurgling: Any sink, tub or shower that’s affected by a blocked drain could create some excessive gurgling noises while the water struggles to move past the blockage and go down the drain.
If you are experiencing any of the above issues, it’s important to take quick action before the situation becomes worse. You may be able to fix the blockage yourself if it’s minor by using a plunger or drain snake. If you choose to go with a drain cleaning solution, it’s highly recommended you avoid using caustic chemicals like Drano, and instead opt for natural options such as mixtures of baking soda and vinegar.
If you’re unable to get the blockage cleared yourself, seek the assistance of Big City Plumbing, LLC, one of the best San Antonio plumbing companies you’ll find.