Dangers of Neglecting Blocked Drains

The severe consequences of ignoring a clogged drain

Disregarding a blocked drain can have grave consequences for both your home and well-being. Over time, a blockage can result in water backing up into sinks, tubs, and toilets, creating overflowing drainage systems, water damage to your walls floors, and ideal conditions for mould and bacteria.

A drain blocked with stagnant water can result in unpleasant odours throughout your home. Pests like cockroaches and rats drawn to a clogged drain can lead to hygiene issues and property damage risks, which can cause concerns from their droppings and nesting habits.

Clogged drains can cause serious stress, potentially causing damage your pipes and impacting your plumbing system. Obstructed pipes under excess water pressure can crack or burst, potentially leading to catastrophic damage. Tree roots may invade pipe joints and could cause blockages that shift material up into your pipes, leading to leaks and foundational disturbances.

Untreated plumbing issues can lead to costly repairs, with expenses potentially running into the thousands. A call professional plumber promptly when you notice a blocked drain can signify slowed drainage can help prevent extensive destruction, which your home can suffer from, and expensive emergency fixes down the line.

Recognizing the signs of a blocked drain

Signs of a drain blockage include:

• If water does not flow smoothly from your sinks, tubs, or showers
• Gurgling sounds from drain pipes
• Sinks that don’t fully empty
• Toilets that overflow or are slow to refill
• Foul sewage odours, especially when water drains
• Standing water around drains often indicates a severe blockage
• Wet spots developing in areas around pipes
• Increased rodent or pest activity

Strange bubbling noises, bad smells, water pooling where it shouldn’t, and an increased presence of pests are clear warning signs that ignoring clogged drains can escalate into issues you should never ignore.

Potential property damage from untreated drain issues

Unaddressed blocked drains can lead to significant property damage. As water accumulates and pressure builds within clogged pipes, leaks that can damage your property can develop in walls and floors. Prolonged moisture exposure causes drywall, subflooring, and structural beams to warp or deteriorate.

If leaking pipes go unaddressed, continuous water saturation in foundations and slabs can result in structural damage your property such as cracks, shifting, and sinkholes. As layers of soil get washed away underground, foundational integrity becomes compromised.

Excessive blockage pressure can cause burst pipes, wreaking havoc on your personal belongings and home-based business. Flooding from ruptured pipes or a blockage in your drains can also cause ruin for furniture, appliances, and valuables. The tear-out process to access and replace broken pipes also causes repair expenses and disruption.

Ignoring blocked pipes creates a breeding ground for extensive damage.

Proactive measures, from regular plumbing inspections to drain cleaning, prevent plumbing emergencies, safeguarding your home against blockages. Early detection and action can help prevent even minor clogs from becoming major issues, saving you substantial costs down the line.

Health risks associated with sewage backups

Sewage backups from a blocked drain are significant health hazards, endangering both your household and your sewer system. Raw sewage harbours a cocktail of bacteria, viruses, intestinal parasites, and mould spores, all of which could lead to serious health issues.

Exposure to sewage waste may result in contracting common bacterial infections such as gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, salmonella, and dysentery. Weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to serious health complications. Respiratory problems can also occur from inhaling airborne contaminants.

Raw sewage also carries toxins like lead, mercury, cleaning solvents and other corrosive chemicals. Exposure poses risks including rashes, nausea, organ damage or even toxicity. Methane gas buildup from sewage backup raises the chances of dizziness, headaches, asphyxiation and explosions.

For people with asthma or allergies, sewage backup kicking up mould, dust and pathogens can trigger severe attacks or reactions. Infants and elderly household members face added risks of illness due to their still-developing or compromised immune function.

When sewage invades your home, acting quickly to address blocked drains is crucial for your family’s safety. Call a professional plumber immediately to safely address the blockage and sanitise all affected areas. Your health and your family’s wellbeing depend on prompt intervention when faced with a sewer backup crisis.

When professional plumbing service is required

You may require professional drain cleaning services when home remedies fail to unblock your drains. If methods like plunging or snaking fail to clear your pipes, it’s time to seek help from the experts.

A plumber has specialised equipment like highpressure water jetting machines that can dislodge stubborn clogs deep within your pipes. Plumbers can use camera inspection to pinpoint the exact location and cause of the blockage.

For extensive root growth, collapsed or broken pipes, and drain line obstructions located underground or within your home’s walls, professional-grade tools are required. Attempting dangerous dismantling as an amateur could make the issue much worse.

Beyond physical clearing of drain lines, pros like Bexley Plumbing can also diagnose underlying problems that allow clogs to recur. They may recommend useful preventative measures, improved layouts, or repairs to keep your drainage system flowing smoothly long-term.

Bexley Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services when backups become hazardous. Whether it’s raw sewage flooding your home or stormwater endangering your foundation, urgent response can mitigate health risks and property damage. As trusted local plumbers serving the Gold Coast area for over 25 years, we have the experience to tackle any blocked drain crisis.

For a professional drain cleaning service, including assessments, cleaning, repairs, or emergency unclogging, contact our friendly team anytime at {{business_phone}} or book an appointment via our website.

Methods for clearing minor clogs yourself

To resolve simple clogged drains, try these common DIY methods before considering professional help:

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Pour 1⁄2 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar down the drain to help clear blockages. After adding the vinegar, cover the drain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to break down the blockage. Finally, flush the drain with hot water to rinse away the debris.

Boiling Water

Use boiling water to dissolve accumulated grease or oil in the drain. Repeat as needed. Avoid pouring grease down your drain in the future.

Plunger

Vigorous plunging often dislodges straightforward drain clogs. Ensure the plunger forms a tight seal and plunge vigorously 10-15 times to apply pressure on the obstruction.

Handheld Drain Snakes

Manually feed the drain snake down the pipes to hook and extract hair, other debris, and foreign objects lingering just past the drain opening. Take care not to scratch your pipes’ innner surface when twisting the snake.

Use caution with DIY methods for drain clogs and be mindful to seek professional help when necessary. If clogs persist beyond 10-15 minutes of effort, contact Bexley Plumbing to prevent damage or leaks. Our skilled technicians can address more stubborn blockages with the appropriate tools and expertise.

Preventative measures to avoid future blockages

Establishing preventative habits and regular maintenance is the best strategy to avoid recurring drain blockages.

Avoid pouring fats, oils, and food particles down your kitchen sink to prevent clogs. Use drain strainers to capture debris and discard it in the trash instead of letting it down the drain. Run hot water for 30 seconds while washing greasy dishes to flush pipes.

For monthly cleaning without harsh chemicals, pour a mix of boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar down the drain and let it work overnight.

In bathrooms, Employ drain catchers and hair stoppers in your shower drain to prevent blockages. Remove accumulated hair and soap scum buildup monthly. Consider professional hydro jetting every 6 months to clear away what can build up as deeper grease deposits before they harden.

Outdoors, keep gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and debris to prevent blocked stormwater drains from flooding. Don’t allow grass clippings, pet waste, or chemicals to wash into drains during lawn care. Place screens over drain openings to keep out contaminants.

Annual professional cleaning and inspections keep water and waste moving freely, preventing minor clogs from becoming larger problems. Bexley Plumbing offers reliable maintenance packages to keep your pipes free-flowing.