One common but still frustrating plumbing issue that many homeowners experience is a blocked drain. You’ve probably had one of those moments wherein you’re washing your vegetables, and suddenly, the water is stuck in your kitchen sink. Or perhaps your toilet bowl overflows after trying to flush the water down. As common as these situations may be, a blocked drain is something that should not be taken lightly. When they remain unfixed for a long time, water pressure can build up, causing your pipes to crack or burst.  This leads to more serious problems and costlier repairs.

Thus, as a homeowner, you must know how to identify a blocked drain so you can call for help as soon as possible. If you’re living in Australia, you can easily contact any blocked drains Plumber Sydney - based service providers so they can respond to your plumbing emergency right away.

There are a few reasons why a blocked drain occurs, such as mineral buildup, stuck foreign objects (hair, food waste, paper towels), or intrusion of tree roots into your pipes. Whatever the reason, here are five tell-tale signs that signify a blocked drain.

1. An Unpleasant Smell From Sinks Or Drains

One of the leading causes of blocked drains is the buildup of foreign objects. These objects may include food debris, soap, grease, and other common things that you may be intentionally or unconsciously dropping into your sink.  Once the clog buildup starts to decompose, odor-causing bacteria feed on them. As a result, it will emit a foul odor that you will not be able to ignore.

Even if the obstruction is in your kitchen sink, you may be able to smell the unpleasant odor from your bathroom sinks or outdoor drains. Overall, the extent of the foul odor in your home is determined by the size of the clog buildup.

2. A Gurgling Sound

Another notable sign of a clogged drain is when your drain pipes or sinks suddenly produce a bubbling or gurgling sound. This may appear to be a natural sound effect. However, it is caused by trapped air flowing through a clog buildup. In other words, the air is producing the bubbling sound because there isn't enough area for it to move or pass freely around your pipes. As a result, if the sinks or drains in your home suddenly become more musical, it's time to give your plumber a call.

3. An Overflowing Sink Or Toilet

If your sink or drain has recently smelled foul and is producing a gurgling sound, you should anticipate it to overflow with water sooner or later. This is because the clog has prevented your water from flowing down the proper pipes, forcing it to push back out of the sink or drain and overflow.

An overflowing sink or toilet will not only flood your home, destroying your flooring and furniture, but it will also be unsanitary and waste a lot of water. If you're dealing with this ordeal, don't wait to call a professional plumber before the entire floor is flooded with murky water.

4. A Toilet Backs Up

One of the most inconvenient problems that everyone avoids is a malfunctioning toilet. A toilet that won't flush or backs up is one of the most typical indicators of a clogged drain. Unfortunately, using a plunger to remove hard or heavy things does not always work. Objects such as sanitary napkins, wet wipes, and thick toilet papers would require other methods of disposal.

5. Slow Drainage

Dealing with slow drainage is another vexing plumbing issue that could disrupt your daily routine. This is common with sinks, baths, showers, and even toilets. Slow drainage occurs when a clog blocks the majority of the water's pathway, causing the water to take longer to pass through. The water also gets accumulated in the associated area.

Unfortunately, most homeowners tend to fix this issue on their own by poking at the drainage holes to try to push the clog or pouring a strong chemical, hoping to melt the buildup. Doing these things will only do more damage to your pipes. So, if you’re suddenly experiencing slow drainage, avoid the DIY and let the professionals handle the problem.

Takeaway

If you’re experiencing one or more of these signs, you must take action right away and call your trusted plumber. Attending to minor plumbing issues immediately is much better than waiting for the problem to worsen and lead to costlier repairs and maintenance. Taking precautionary measures to prevent blockage in your pipes is also something you can do to keep your home clean and free from unpleasant odors.