Clogged drains are a very common plumbing problem for homeowners. A drain clog is often written off as an annoyance. We work around them. We tolerate the kitchen sink taking forever to drain after the dishes are done. We convince ourselves the foot soak we get as we stand in the shower feels AMAZING!!!

Do yourself a favor. Get a drain stoppage addressed right away. This is your best bet if you want to avoid a more expensive emergency plumbing callĀ  A backup in your drain can force waste flow upward. Potentially flooding your basement with smelly unhygienic water. Exposing you and your family to germs and bacteria.

Take action the moment you notice the first sign of a clogged drain. Research DIY plumbing tips, or better yet, call a licensed plumber, the moment you notice any of the following:

EWW THAT SMELL, CAN’T YOU SMELL THAT SMELL?

Have you ever walked into your kitchen or bathroom only to be met with the foulest of odors? Perhaps you think something has rotted? You take out the trash. You run your garbage disposal or start running water. Hoping to clear or break up what you figure might be old food particles stuck in your drain or pipes.

Sadly, the truth is, you have smelly drains. The culprit might be anything from food or hair to gunk, grease, and other debris clogging a pipe.

What you’re smelling is probably sewage that didn’t drain properly.

Ewww is right!

THERE’S MORE THAN ONE SLOW DRAIN IN YOUR HOUSE

A slow drain suggests water isn’t efficiently flowing through wastewater pipes. This needs to be repaired sooner rather than later because it can lead to serious plumbing problems.

If you’re noticing multiple slow drains in your house, there’s either already a serious drain clog or one on the way. All drains in a house connect to the same sewer line. If one drain is clogged, all will be affected.

A slowed tub or shower drain might mean there’s an obstruction in the main drain line. It could also mean a build-up of soap products – like shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and shaving cream – has slowed drainage.

RISING WATER IN TOILET BOWL

If the water in your toilet bowl rises to the brim when you flush, something might be clogging the drain. This can be anything from toilet paper, an object dropped into the bowl, or the buildup of sediment in the pipes.

Sometimes a plunger alone is enough to allow the water to flow freely out. This will help bring the water in the bowl back to its proper level. But failure to clear this clog ASAP – whether you go DIY with it or hire a professional – will cause your toilet to overflow with one flush. Creating a HUGE mess in your bathroom and A LOT of regrets if warning signs were ignored.

GURGLING SOUNDS CAN BE HEARD WHEN WATER IS SLOW TO DRAIN

If water doesn’t flow quickly enough through your sewer line, some unusual gurgling sounds might be heard from inside the drain pipe. These gurgling sounds might be heard when a toilet is flushed and a bathtub, shower or kitchen sink is slow to drain.

The explanation to this is simple enough. This gurgling noise is trapped air. This trapped air happens when flowing wastewater meets whatever the obstruction is inside the pipe. It’s bounced around, which traps air, creating that unfortunate sound of gurgling.

Again, if not immediately treated, gurgling sounds will get worse and could eventually lead to a sewer backup.

If you hear a gurgling sound come from one drain as you’re running another sink, there’s something amiss with the pipes. The time for a DIY fix is over and you’ll need to call upon a professional.

DO NOT USE any water if you suspect a clog or there’s an established drain clog. This will only worsen the problem by creating added pressure or a potential leak on top of the clog.


NEED A DRAIN CLOG REPAIR IN & AROUND SIMI VALLEY, CA?

T-Top Plumbing is a commercial and residential plumber in Simi Valley – servicing Ventura and Los Angeles counties. We are family-owned and have provided reliable clogged drain repairs in the area for over 25 years. Have a clogged drain in the Ventura area? Call (805) 527-8867 or email info@ttopplumbing.net for a drain repair expert to come to your home.