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How to Tell If You Have a Blocked Drain
Blocked drains are one of the most common plumbing problems that homeowners face. They can cause serious disruptions, ranging from slow drainage to unpleasant odors and even property damage if left unresolved. The key to avoiding a messy and costly situation is to recognise the early signs of a blocked drain and address the problem before it worsens.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through how to identify a blocked drain, what causes blockages, and what steps to take when you suspect your drainage system is compromised. Towards the end, we'll also discuss who is responsible for fixing a blocked drain — whether it’s the homeowner or a utility company.
Common Causes of a Blocked Drain
Before we dive into the signs, it's helpful to understand what typically causes drain blockages. Drains can become blocked for several reasons, and knowing the root cause can help prevent future issues. Some of the most common causes include:
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- Grease and Fat: Grease, fat, and oil from cooking can solidify inside pipes, especially kitchen sinks, creating stubborn blockages.
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- Hair: In bathroom drains, hair is a frequent culprit. Over time, hair can accumulate and bind with soap scum, leading to clogs.
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- Foreign Objects: Items like sanitary products, wipes, children's toys, or other foreign objects flushed down the toilet or dropped down the drain can cause blockages.
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- Soap Scum: The minerals in hard water react with soap to create a residue that can build up and block pipes, especially in showers and sinks.
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- Tree Roots: Tree roots are naturally attracted to moisture, and they can grow into your underground drainage pipes, causing cracks, obstructions, or complete blockages.
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- Food Waste: Leftover food that is washed down the sink can clog pipes, especially if the food is fibrous or starchy, like pasta or rice, which can expand and cause a blockage.
Signs That You Have a Blocked Drain
Blocked drains don't always happen suddenly. They often build up over time, giving you plenty of warning if you know what to look for. Here are some telltale signs that you may have a blockage in your drainage system:
Slow Drainage
One of the most obvious signs of a blocked drain is slow drainage in your sinks, bathtubs, or showers. If water is taking longer than usual to drain away, it’s likely that something is obstructing the flow inside the pipe. This is usually the first and most noticeable sign of a blockage.
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In the kitchen, this could be due to food particles, grease, or oil buildup, while in the bathroom, hair and soap scum are common causes. If all your sinks and drains are draining slowly, this could indicate a more serious issue, such as a blockage in the main sewer line.
Gurgling Sounds
If you hear gurgling or bubbling noises when water is draining, that’s a strong indicator of a blocked drain. These noises occur because water is struggling to pass through a blockage, causing air to be trapped in the pipes. As the air is forced through, it creates the gurgling sound.
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This noise is often heard when flushing the toilet, draining a bathtub, or using a washing machine. The trapped air signals that something is obstructing the normal flow of water.
Unpleasant Odours
Foul smells coming from your drains are another common symptom of a blockage. When waste material, food, or other debris gets stuck in the pipes, it can begin to rot and produce unpleasant odors.
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In kitchen sinks, the smell is often due to decaying food trapped in the drain, while in bathrooms, the odor may come from a buildup of hair, soap, and skin cells. In severe cases, the smell may indicate that waste is backing up into the system due to a sewer line blockage.
Water Backing Up
One of the more alarming signs of a blocked drain is water backing up out of sinks, toilets, or showers. This occurs when the blockage is preventing water from draining away, causing it to reverse direction and come back up through the pipes.
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Water backups in the toilet are often the most obvious and urgent sign of a blockage. If flushing the toilet causes water to rise too high or overflow, you may have a blockage in the toilet drain or even the main sewer line.
Pooling Water in the Garden
If you notice pools of water forming in your garden, especially near your home’s foundation, it could be a sign of an underground drain blockage. Tree roots, collapsed pipes, or debris in the sewer line can cause water to escape from the pipes and pool on the surface.
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Pooling water could also indicate a broken pipe, which needs to be repaired immediately to avoid further property damage.
Overflowing Gutters
Clogged or blocked gutters can lead to water overflow, which can cascade down the side of your house and cause damage to the foundation or walls. If you notice that rainwater isn't draining properly from your gutters and is instead spilling over the sides, there could be leaves, dirt, or debris causing a blockage.
Multiple Blocked Drains
If you experience multiple drains in your home backing up or draining slowly at the same time, this usually points to a larger problem. The main sewer line may be blocked, affecting all the connected drains in your home. This requires immediate attention as it can lead to sewage backups and significant property damage.
How to Fix a Blocked Drain
If you’ve identified the signs of a blocked drain, it’s important to take action as soon as possible to prevent further complications. Here are a few steps you can take to fix a blocked drain:
Plunge the Drain
For minor blockages, a plunger is often effective at dislodging debris. Place the plunger over the affected drain and create a tight seal, then push and pull vigorously to create suction. This should help to loosen the obstruction.
Use a Drain Snake
A drain snake, also known as a plumbing auger, is a flexible tool that can be fed into the drain to break up and remove clogs. It’s particularly useful for more stubborn blockages deeper within the pipes.
Use a Drain Cleaner (With Caution)
Chemical drain cleaners can dissolve some types of blockages, but they should be used with caution as they can damage your pipes, especially if they are old or made of certain materials like PVC. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and avoid overusing these products.
Call a Professional Plumber
If you've tried the above methods and the blockage persists, or if you're dealing with a serious issue like multiple blocked drains or water backing up into your home, it’s time to call a professional plumber. They have the expertise and equipment, such as hydro-jetting or CCTV drain cameras, to diagnose and fix more severe blockages.
Who Is Responsible for Fixing a Blocked Drain?
When it comes to fixing a blocked drain, determining who is responsible depends on where the blockage is located. Here's a breakdown of the general rules:
Homeowner's Responsibility
If the blockage is within the drains on your property—such as those connected to your sinks, toilets, or showers—it is your responsibility as the homeowner to clear it. This includes any drains that are part of your home’s plumbing system up to the point where they connect to the main sewer line.
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You are also responsible for any private drains (known as lateral drains) that run from your property to the public sewer system. These lateral drains are typically located outside your home, in your garden, or driveway.
Utility Company's Responsibility
If the blockage is in the public sewer system, which is usually located under the street or public land, it becomes the responsibility of the local utility company or water authority. This applies to any issues in the main sewer line that runs beyond the boundary of your property.
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In some areas, the utility company is also responsible for lateral drains, especially if they connect multiple properties to the main sewer. You can check with your local utility company or consult your home insurance policy to confirm responsibility.
When to Contact Your Utility Company
If you suspect that the blockage is in the public sewer system, such as when multiple homes on your street are experiencing drainage issues, contact your local water authority or utility company. They can send out a crew to inspect and resolve the problem if it lies within their jurisdiction.
Conclusion
Blocked drains can cause significant inconvenience and even damage if left untreated. By recognising the signs early—such as slow drainage, unpleasant odors, gurgling sounds, or water backups—you can address the issue before it escalates. For minor blockages, plungers, drain snakes, or drain cleaners can help. However, for more serious problems, calling a professional plumber is often the best solution.
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Understanding whether the responsibility lies with you or your local utility company is also important. Homeowners are generally responsible for blockages within their property, while utility companies handle issues in the public sewer system. By acting quickly and knowing where to turn, you can keep your drains flowing smoothly and avoid costly repairs.