Catch and fix a clog early and keep it from becoming a major problem!
The last thing you want to think about when you get home from work at night is your indoor plumbing, let alone a leaky or clogged pipe. However, understanding some of the causes and warning of clogged pipes could save you a lot of headache down the road and could potentially help you avoid plumbing problems in the first place. Drains and pipes typically get clogged when something accumulates in them, like food in a kitchen sink, soapy buildup, hair buildup, or even things getting flushed down a toilet that shouldn’t be, like a child’s toy. If you think this is happening to you, check out these signs to see if it’s a clogged pipe in your home.
Slow Draining or Gurgling Drains
A slow drain is usually the first sign of a clogged pipe, as it’s typically caused by some kind of blockage or a layer of grime or soap preventing water from freely flowing through the pipes. A gurgling drain means that air is trapped somewhere in your plumbing and could be a sign of a more serious problem like damage to a sewer line or a blockage in a vent pipe. A vent pipe lets sewer gas escape the system, and if it gets clogged, sewage can back up into your drain system. If you suspect that this may be happening, call a professional to fix the problem.
Stinky Smell
If you can smell your drains, this could be a sign of rotting food in a kitchen sink or even a dead rodent in your plumbing. You should have your drains flushed out by a professional if the smell is coming from any drain that’s not in your kitchen.
Backed Up Toilets
Typically if your toilet is backing up instead of flushing, your drain could be clogged by too much toilet paper or female products, or if you have young children maybe something like a toy or keys. If using a plunger doesn’t work, call a professional to examine your pipes and drain system as soon as possible. Debris and items that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet could do serious damage to your pipeline–not to mention water damage if it overflows into your bathroom!
Water on your Lawn
This sign is something you should definitely keep your eyes peeled for since this clogged drain side-effect happens outside of your home. This could be a sign that a plant has grown too close to your sewer line, or there is a serious clog or damage to your line. If there’s pooling water in your backyard, call a professional to have your sewer line evaluated.
ALL OF YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS FROM ALPHA PLUMBING
Alpha Plumbing is a full-service plumbing and contracting company serving the Baltimore and Annapolis metro area with expertise in all aspects of plumbing. We’re family-owned and operated since 1991 from our office in Pasadena. We offer quality plumbing services at reasonable rates in a timely fashion. Our trucks are equipped with GPS systems to ensure we’re prompt and on time. No job is too large or too small! We maintain a fleet of well-stocked trucks and also own and operate our own backhoes for jobs requiring excavation.
For more information and to get a free no-obligation estimate, you can contact us on our website, send us an e-mail, or give us a call at (410) 255-5998.