Most common signs of a blocked drain emergency

Blocked drains are more than just an inconvenience. If you don’t resolve a blockage in your drain promptly, you may be at risk of significant plumbing issues. If you have a blocked drain on your property, an emergency plumber can help prevent unnecessary damage and exorbitant costs. With any plumbing problem, time is of the essence, so it helps to be aware of the potential warning signs to avoid any issues getting worse. We’ve put together this list of the most common signs indicative of a blocked drain emergency.

Slow flow and stagnant water

The slow flow of water is by far the most common sign of a blocked drain. If you have a blockage, there will naturally be less space within your pipes for the liquid to pass through. As the flow of water slows down, stagnant water can result.

Stagnant water can lead to more serious issues, such as the increased presence of bacteria, fungi, or insects. You really don’t want these on your property, especially as they can lead to serious health concerns, so if you notice slow flow or stagnant water get in touch with an emergency plumber straight away.

Backups

Is water backing up in your pipes? If so, you probably have a blockage in your drain. Water backups can cause regurgitation of a lot of water, and this isn’t exactly hygienic or pleasant. Address any backup as soon as you notice it.

Bad smells

If a foul smell is coming from your drain, you might have a blocked pipe. There doesn’t need to be visible water for smells to arise; if you do have stagnant water, the bacteria and fungi that might accumulate can really get on the nose.

Perhaps the most concerning thing about bad drain smells is that they don’t just stay within your drain. If things get bad enough, your entire home, office or commercial space can be impacted. If you smell anything unpleasant coming from your drain, call an emergency plumber as soon as you can.

Pipe leaks

Blockages lead to a build-up of pressure inside pipes. This leaves the water with little room to move, and so it’s forced out through the tiniest of gaps or openings. The most common leak sites include pipe joints and weak areas. Over time, a neglected or poorly-addressed blockage can lead to significant plumbing issues, so if you notice a leak, take care of it as soon as possible.

Unusual noises

Generally, your drains or pipes shouldn’t make noise. If you hear a gurgling or banging near your drain or inside your walls, you might have a clog. As more pressure is put on a blocked pipe, or as water struggles to move past a clog, strange sounds might result. Plumbing sounds create hassle, especially in the dead of night, so it’s important you resolve them as soon as they’re detected.

Frozen pipes

Most Australian homeowners don’t need to worry about their pipes freezing over. For the few areas across the country that do battle extremely cold winters, it’s important to be vigilant.

When it’s cold enough, stagnant water within a pipe tends to freeze more quickly than water that flows freely. This still water forms a block of ice within the pipe, preventing water from flowing and leading to further complications. If you believe you’ve got a frozen pipe, an emergency plumber can provide expert assistance.

Residue

If you notice a powder or a scale-like residue near your drains, your water may be high in minerals. These minerals can lead to a pipe or drain blockage. If residue builds up, other plumbing issues can arise or even become worse. You can organise for your pipes to be checked if residue has become a problem.

Plants

You might love your plants, but when does it become too much? If your garden’s looking particularly lush near your sewer line, you might have a leak that could be caused by a pipe blockage. Don’t neglect a sewer line clog. If it’s serious enough, your entire home or building can be compromised.

Facing a blocked drain emergency? Call 1touch Plumbing & Gas

Located in Townsville, 1touch Plumbing & Gas is a locally-owned business providing outstanding plumbing services to clients big and small. Quality workmanship, customer satisfaction and honesty are at the heart of what we do. We won’t call a job done until we’ve identified the problem and offered an expert solution. Whenever an emergency strikes, you can rely on our 24-hour call-out service to get your plumbing system working again. With the help of our expert team, you’ll receive specialised plumbing and gas solutions that will exceed your expectations. Contact 1touch Plumbing & Gas on 0459 997 743 or via the contact form on our website.