Keeping your home in tip-top shape means constant work. You probably take pride in ensuring that every area of your home is in excellent condition. But when was the last time you checked the parts of the property that were out of sight? Chances are, you don’t think about your plumbing until something goes wrong and the damage is already done.
A blocked drain is one of the most significant issues that could potentially affect your plumbing system. A clog in your drain is not something you can ignore, as it can have a detrimental effect on the home’s plumbing system and your family’s health. Additionally, it can impact your home’s structural integrity to the extent that the house could be inhabitable.
In this post, our team of licensed plumbing experts explains some of the most harmful effects of having blocked drains at home, but first, let’s take a closer look at the common causes of drain blockages:
Common Causes of Clogged Drains
Tree Roots
Roots of trees within the property are among the most common causes of clogs in the water and sewer mains. Older homes are more prone to this problem, but even newer systems can get affected by this, too.
Tree roots are constantly looking for moisture and are naturally drawn to the water in your sewer pipes. It can find its way in if there’s a crack or leak. If there are trees on your property or you live in a wooded area, you should be aware of this problem and have a video inspection performed at least every few years. There is now an option to repair the damage known as pipe relining, which is more cost-effective and less invasive.
Flushable Wipes
Many people mistake flushing their wipes down the toilet, thinking that it’s safe to do so because they’re supposed to be “flushable.” Here’s the truth: no matter how thick or thin they are, whether they’re called wipes, paper towels, facial tissue, or any other name, you should never flush them down the toilet. Even too much use of toilet paper can cause a blocked drainage.
Feminine Hygiene Products
Feminine hygiene products and diapers are dangerous to pipes because they have cotton and other fibres that are non-biodegradable and therefore have the capacity to block pipes and attract other clogging elements.
Oil, Grease, and Food
Oil and grease from food are some of the worst enemies of your plumbing system. Many homeowners do not realize the damage they’re causing when they allow oily substances to go down their drains. These oils can accumulate and cause clogs.
Food scraps should never go down the sink, or even the laundry drains, nor should they be flushed down the toilet. Drains don’t tolerate food, mainly because they can be sticky or sharp, which is never good in a pipe.
What Are the Effects of Clogged Drains?
Now that you know the typical culprits behind blocked drains, it’s time to understand how blocked drains can affect your home and the health of your family:
Risks to Your Health
A blocked drainage system can lead to bacterial growth in your pipes that could cause specific allergies and diseases. When there’s a blockage in the gutters, water cannot flow properly, and a backflow could reach your sinks and then become stagnant. The water that flows back already contains bacteria (from human waste, agrochemicals, etc.), and as you use the sink, you and your family risk contamination and infections by bacteria and viruses. These can even diffuse in the air around the home, which is never a good thing, especially for family members with allergies.
Unpleasant Odour
When drain blockage is in your system, water can accumulate in the pipes until it begins to emit an unpleasant odour. It may be tolerable at first, but it could come to a point where you’ll feel your home is inhabitable because of how horrible the smell is.
Pests and Mould
What do pests and mould have in common? They both thrive in dark and moist areas. That means if there are any clogs in your plumbing system, there is stagnant water somewhere that could be a breeding ground for pests. Mosquitoes, for one, love stagnant water. Mould and mildew also multiply in moist areas, and because blocked drainage means the house is damp in many regions because of water backflow, it’s likely your home has mould problems, too.
Slow Drainage
This is one of the first signs that you see that tell you you’re dealing with drain blockage. It is one of the most annoying ones, too. Imagine when you’re rushing in the morning and can’t use the sink or the tub because they’re not draining fast enough. What’s worse is when there’s a backflow of water that could smell horrible and expose you to bacteria and viruses.
Leaks
When drainage blocks are not addressed immediately, they could cause leaks when the drain pipes succumb to extreme water pressure and burst. The lines could also weaken and get worn and torn due to the stagnant water.
If some part of your lawn looks greener or patches of grass taller than the rest, it could indicate leaking pipes due to a clogged drain.
Weakened Home Structure
Clogged drains can compromise the entire plumbing, and their effects can be more extensive than you expected. Water may no longer flow where it’s supposed to. It could stay stagnant in certain areas, while some might find their way through cracks in the pipe and into the house’s structure or foundation. When not fixed immediately, it could result in structural damage that would be costly to repair.
Understanding Blocked Drains In Sydney
A blocked drain can lead to all the abovementioned issues, and the repair work required could be pretty expensive. Therefore, you must do what you can to prevent clogs — as simple as educating your household about what should be washed down the toilet and drain.
If you’re dealing with clogged drains and need professional plumbing services in Sydney, Fixed Fast Plumbing can help you. You can contact our team of expert plumbers 24/7 for any emergency, and a professional plumber will be there for you. Call us today for a drain cleaning service and to fix your blocked drain in Sydney professionally and affordably.
