There are several characteristics that accompany a blocked drain, and that let us know something is amiss within the drainage network.
However, the challenge lies in identifying the blockage early enough to do something about it. All too often, we are called out to treat blocked drains across North London, only to find that the blockage has progressed so far that it has caused structural damage to the pipes and network.
So, how can homeowners and property managers spot the signs of a blocked drain themselves? And what do you do when you notice that a drain is blocked?
Common Signs of a Blocked Drain
While the visual manifestation of a blocked drain is virtually impossible for a resident or property manager to spot, without access to specialist equipment and CCTV technology, there are signs that you should familiarise yourself with that let you know something is amiss.
Unpleasant aromas lingering around your sinks and drains is one of them. A gurgling in the pipes is another, with slow draining plugs around your sinks, showers, and bath is the third most common sign of a blockage.
The extent of the blockage can only really be ascertained by a professional team – however, noticing any one of these signs is usually enough to encourage homeowners and building staff to book a call-out.
How to Handle a Blocked Drain
There are blogs and articles out there that will tell you to pour boiling water and DIY solutions down your sink to break up a blocked drain.
However, these techniques are rarely sufficient to truly break down and remove an established block – and could delay your response, thereby causing more damage.
Rather than googling DIY solutions, our advice is to get in touch with your local drainage specialists and book an emergency unblocking. Following this, signing up for a drain maintenance service is a good way to ensure that your drains are regularly flushed of debris and potential build-ups.
How to Prevent Future Blockages
Education is the number one tool that we seek to arm all clients with. Not only is this education geared towards helping them identify the common signs of a blocked drain, but it also covers advice on what can – and what cannot – be flushed down a drain.
While the usual suspects including wet wipes and sanitary products are often at the top of the list of culprits, clients are often surprised to learn how much of an impact hair can have on a drain block, along with kitchen oils, grease, and even fallen leaves which fall into the gutters and block drainage systems.
The more that you know about what causes blockages, the better equipped you are to avoid a block from occurring. And when it does, at least now you know the signs to look out for, who to call – and what to ask for!
