Top Signs Your Blocked Household Drain Needs a Professional

Off-the-Shelf Products Are Not Working

Sometimes, when a household drain is blocked, people try to fix it with products they can buy from the shop. These are often liquids or powders that promise to clear the blockage quickly. However, they don’t always work. If you have poured these products down your drain and nothing has changed, it might mean the blockage is too big or stubborn to be fixed by chemicals.

Blocked drains can be caused by things like grease, food scraps, hair, or even objects that shouldn’t be in the pipes. Off-the-shelf products might not reach deep enough into the pipes to solve the problem. They can also damage older pipes, which might make things worse.

If you’ve tried these products and your drain is still blocked, it’s time to think about calling a professional. They have special tools and training to deal with even the most difficult blockages. A professional can find out what’s causing the problem and fix it properly without damaging your pipes.

Drains Have An Awful Smell That Cannot Be Stopped

Have you noticed a terrible smell coming from your sink, bath, or shower? Sometimes, blocked household drains create awful odours that seem to stick around no matter how much you clean. This happens because food, grease, or other waste trapped in the pipes starts to rot. The smell can travel up through the drain and into your home, making it very unpleasant.

Cleaning the surface of the sink or using air fresheners might help the smell for a short while, but they won’t fix the problem. The odour will keep coming back as long as the blockage is there. Even pouring hot water or cleaning liquids down the drain might not work because the problem is deeper inside the pipes.

Another reason for the smell could be sewer gases escaping through the pipes if the blockage is stopping water from flowing properly. These gases smell horrible and can make you feel sick. It’s a clear sign that your household drain needs professional help.

A professional can use tools like cameras to look inside the pipes and find the blockage. They can remove the waste causing the smell, leaving your home fresh and clean again. Don’t let bad smells take over—get help before the problem gets worse.

Should I Call A Professional If Water Is Draining Slowly?

When water takes a long time to drain from your sink, bath, or shower, it’s often because there’s a blockage in the pipe. Slow drainage might not seem like a big problem at first, but it can get worse over time if it’s not fixed.

Blockages can start small, with things like hair, soap, and food scraps sticking to the inside of the pipes. Over time, more and more builds up until water struggles to flow through. You might notice water pooling in the sink or bath before it finally drains away.

If this is happening in your home, it’s a good idea to call a professional. They can check the pipes to find the blockage and remove it before it becomes a bigger problem. If left too long, a slow drain could turn into a completely blocked drain, which is much harder to fix.

Professionals have tools like plungers, drain snakes, and jet washers to clear the pipes properly. They can also check for any damage to the pipes caused by the blockage. Don’t wait until your drain stops working completely—get help as soon as you notice the water draining slowly.

Low Water Pressure from Your Taps

Have you turned on the taps and noticed the water comes out slowly or weakly? Low water pressure can sometimes be a sign of a blocked household drain or pipe. While it’s not always the case, it’s worth investigating if you’ve noticed other problems with your drains too.

Water pressure problems can happen when something is blocking the flow of water through the pipes. It might be caused by a build-up of grease, limescale, or other debris inside the pipes. This blockage can make it hard for water to flow normally, leading to weak pressure at the taps.

Low water pressure might also be caused by leaks in the pipes. If a blockage is putting too much pressure on the pipes, it can cause cracks or leaks, which reduces the water flow. This is a problem that needs professional help to fix.

If you’ve tried cleaning the taps and the problem hasn’t improved, it’s time to call an expert. They can check the pipes for blockages or damage and make the necessary repairs. Fixing the problem quickly can help restore normal water pressure and prevent further issues with your household plumbing.

Unblocking Tools Have Not Helped

Many people try using simple tools to unblock their household drains. Plungers are a popular choice because they can sometimes create enough suction to move the blockage. Some people also try drain snakes, which are long, flexible tools designed to push or pull the blockage out of the pipe. However, these tools don’t always work.

If you’ve tried using a plunger or drain snake but your drain is still blocked, it’s likely the problem is too serious for these tools to fix. The blockage might be deeper in the pipe than the tools can reach, or it could be something that these tools can’t move, like a solid object or a large build-up of grease.

Another issue is that using these tools without proper knowledge can sometimes damage the pipes. For example, pushing too hard with a drain snake could scratch or break the inside of the pipe, making the problem worse.

If your efforts haven’t worked, it’s time to call a professional. They have advanced tools like hydro jetting machines that can blast away blockages with high-pressure water. Professionals also have the training to use these tools safely and effectively. Don’t keep struggling with tools that don’t work—get expert help to clear your drain properly and protect your plumbing.