Signs You Need Drain Cleaning | San Antonio, TX
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If your sewer drains get clogged, this can have serious consequences. When waste and water can’t escape through the drainpipe, it will eventually back up and enter your home. Backed up sewage in your fixtures is no joke, so it’s important to recognize the signs that you need to call a drain cleaning service before the problem becomes severe. Here are the key warning signs that all is not well with your drain system.
1. Several blocked fixtures
If more than one of your fixtures is blocked, this is often a sign that you need drain cleaning. Usually homeowners with a clogged sewer drain discover that their toilet is blocked because it is connected directly to the sewer system via a large drain. It’s unusual for toilets to flush properly if a sewer drain clog is present.
You’re also likely to notice that fixtures near to the ground, such as showers and bathtubs, are blocked too. You should call a service immediately to avoid sewage backing up into your house.
2. Water bubbling up in odd places
If you notice water backing up from other fixtures, this is a telltale sign that you have a sewer drain blockage. For example, you might flush your toilet and notice water flowing up through the plug into your bathtub. This is because the water can’t escape down the sewer pipe and it has to go somewhere, so it comes back up at the lowest point. Or, you may use your dishwasher or washing machine and find that your toilet overflows. Both situations indicate that you need a drain cleaning professional to unblock your sewer line.
3. Slow draining
Even if your fixture isn’t completely blocked, you may still need drain cleaning if one or more fixtures are draining slower than usual. Slow draining is a sign that there are residues or clogs building up inside your system, especially if you have more than one slow drain on the same plumbing line. It’s important to act as soon as you notice that your drains are sluggish, as a drain cleaning technician can clear your pipes before a serious blockage develops.
4. DIY doesn’t help
While it’s fine to try a few DIY tricks like boiling water to clear the blockage yourself, you should call for a professional service if your efforts aren’t working. This indicates that the blockage is deep within your system where only a plumber can reach. You should always call in the professionals in this situation as they have specialized equipment that won’t damage your piping.
5. The problem keeps coming back
If DIY fixes only solve the problem temporarily, you’re probably only clearing part of the blockage each time. So, the issue will keep coming back unless you book a San Antonio, TX drain cleaning expert. If the same drain keeps getting clogged, you should call a plumber to completely clear all the build-up out once and for all to get your drains flowing again.
6. Strange noises
When residue builds up inside your pipes, air becomes trapped in your system. These bubbles are freed when you try to run water down the drain, causing a tell-tale ‘gurgling’ noise. If you leave this issue to fester, you’ll eventually end up with a totally blocked drain. A drain cleaning technician can clear out the build-up that’s causing the weird noises and prevent a more serious blockage later on.
7. Bad smells
If your drains are blocked, this can cause sewage and wastewater to accumulate in your system. It will start to smell unpleasant very quickly, especially when the weather’s hot. Apart from smelling nasty, sewage in your home poses a serious health hazard and is a plumbing emergency. So, call a plumber to clean your drains and remove the blockage right away.
8. Fruit flies
There’s nothing more irritating than fruit flies buzzing around your home. When your drains are blocked or contain a lot of build-up, food waste can gather in your pipes and encourage flies to gather. Fortunately, this issue is easily solved by hiring a drain cleaning professional to clear food particles out of your drains.
How to Avoid Blocked Drains
The best way to avoid a blocked drain is to make sure you don’t flush things into your system that could cause build-up or clogs. Sink strainers allow water to pass down your plughole while catching food particles that could fester in your pipes. Oil and grease are notorious for causing drain blockages, so never pour them down the sink. Finally, make sure the only things going down your toilet are human waste and toilet tissue. Feminine hygiene products, diapers, and disposable wipes should go in the garbage instead of down the toilet.
It’s a good idea to have your drains routinely cleaned by a professional plumber every few years, or more often for sewer and basement drains. It’s also advisable to book cleaning more frequently if you have an old system or have trees with large roots near your sewer line.
However, sometimes clogs happen despite our best efforts. So, it’s a good idea to have the number of a drain cleaner service in San Antonio, TX on hand in case of emergency. Calling in a professional as soon as you notice a problem can prevent a plumbing emergency and get your system back to full working order.
The Bottom Line
Blocked drains are a major nuisance, but the trusted plumbers at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio can advise you about how to keep your system running smoothly. Our friendly team carries out all aspects of drain cleaning and maintenance, including routine servicing to catch potential problems early. So, call today to get your drains back to perfect working order.
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