Amongst endless chores, we often find ourselves neglecting our plumbing system. Don’t ignore issues when drains start acting up or you’ll end up in a mess! Drains that require cleaning can cause damage, so it’s important to look out for signs that you may need your drains cleaned.

How do you know that it’s time to clean the drains in your house? Here are some obvious ways your drainage system is trying to show you that you need a drain cleaning.

Slow Drains

Have you noticed that it’s taking longer than usual for the water to go down the kitchen or bathroom sink? Is it getting annoying to wait for the toilet or bathtubs to clear out? A slow drain is the most obvious sign that there’s a plug in the pipelines and the water doesn’t have sufficient space for free movement.

Water in the Yard

Sometimes, you may notice small puddles in the yard, even on a sunny day. This is a sign that your drainage needs to be cleaned or repaired. Water in the yard should move into gutters or curbs, but if it stands in the yard instead, it means that there is an issue.

Foul Odor

Do you come home every day to a house filled with an unpleasant smell? Does the odor refuse to go, no matter how much you clean up? It could be coming from the drains. Fixtures often have traps to hold water and keep out foul gases. But if the traps get filled with unwanted items, they can cause unpleasant odors.

Gurgling Sounds

If water has a clear path down the drains, it will not make any noise. Gurgling or bubbling sounds, on the other hand, could indicate that there is a partial blockage. In extreme cases, it could also be a sign of a collapse of the drainage system.

Too Much Bleach/Cleaner Required

Does it feel like your bottles of bleach or cleaner are getting exhausted a little too quickly? You may also notice that you must use strong chemicals frequently for basic drainage cleaning. This may indicate that your drains are getting obstructions regularly, and it can’t be fixed easily. These potent chemicals are harmful, and you should avoid them.

Water Backing Up

Suppose you flush the toilet and notice water coming up – not only in the toilet but also in the bathtub or sink. This water backup indicates pipeline obstruction. This is a sign that you need your drains cleaned as soon as possible.

Clogs and Overflowing

When water refuses to go down sinks, toilets, bathtubs, etc., it will eventually lead to clogs. What’s more embarrassing than an overflowing toilet, standing water in the washbasin, or a flooded bathroom floor? These are clear signs that the pipelines are blocked. Don’t wait for the clogs to get more frequent around the house.

Causes behind Blockage in the Drainage System 

Evidently, the above problems occur due to partial or complete obstruction in the drainage system. What leads to such obstacles? Let’s find out the leading causes behind pipeline blockage:

Grease

We often throw cooking grease like fat or oil down the drains. Grease can solidify in pipelines and create blockages. Buildups over a long time can eventually become problematic.

Soap

Soap residue causes clogs in the drainage system. This residue, known as soap scum, reduces the diameter of pipes. The scum can adhere to other substances and prevent water from passing smoothly.

Dirt

We usually just wash away dirt, hoping that that’s the end of it. What we don’t realize, however, is that dirt can stay in the pipelines. Dirt can mix in with other substances and form obstructions.

Hair

Some of the most stubborn drainage clogs take place because of hair and fur. These strands get tangled with other substances like dirt, grease, etc., to form clogs.

Food Waste

Food waste is a common cause of clogged kitchen sinks. Even a garbage disposal system can’t always prevent them from clogging. Tea leaves, coffee grounds, peels, etc., should be thrown in the trash, not down the drain.

Toiletries

From wipes to swabs, from diapers to feminine products – everything clogs the toilets. That’s because they don’t break down and dissolve. Even too much toilet paper can block the toilet pipeline.

Cat Litter

Do you know what’s in the cat litter box? There’s silica, sand, and clay! All of these together create a recipe for disaster. They absorb water and form large clumps in the pipes.

Large Objects

If there are kids in the house, large objects getting flushed is not uncommon. Toys, rubber ducks, or any other large item can slip into the toilet and can cause obstructions.

Plants, Leaves, and Roots

Any crack in the drains can lead to the growth of plants. They obstruct the path along the drainage system. Sometimes, plants and leaves also get stuck in drains, especially external drains.

Mineral Build-Up

Sometimes, the water supplied to homes contains minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, etc. Over time, hard water can build up in the pipelines and obstruct the path.

Offset Pipes

Over the course of many years, old pipes can move out of place. The shifting and settling ground might push them around. This can negatively impact how smoothly waste or liquid can flow.

Get Drain Cleaning Services Today!

Taking matters into your own hands to unclog and clean the drains is not a bad thing. However, if you see obvious signs that you need your drains cleaned, it’s best to choose professional services.

Plumbers and cleaners will know how best to handle deep cleaning without using harsh chemicals that harm the pipelines. They can even detect other hidden problems and help solve them. So, talk to the pros at Burton to get your drains working smoothly.