Drain Blockages

Drain blockages in your home isn’t something that should be ignored. Even if it seems like a minor problem such as a slow draining sink. A blocked drain will rarely fix themself and could lead to several negative consequences if not dealt with promptly.

Not only will ignoring the problem commonly lead to a more serious issue down the road, but it could also end up costing you more in the long run to get your drains back to full working order. For example, a slow draining bath may seem inconsequential, but this could be the first indication of a more severe issue within your drainage system.

WHAT ARE THE TELL-TALE SIGNS OF A BLOCKED DRAIN?

Before we get into the nitty gritty, first we should cover some of the tell-tale signs of a blocked drain.

If you notice even one of these signs, it could indicate that you have a problem with your drains and should be investigated to help prevent bigger problems in the future. A quick blast with the water jet today will be much more cost effective (not to mention convenient) than having to excavate and replace a section of drainpipe in the future!

• Slow draining sinks or baths
• Gurgling sounds from your inside drains
• Bubbling when flushing your toilet
• Foul smells emanating from your drains
• Standing water around external manhole covers
• Frequent clogs in your sink

OK, now we have that out of the way, let’s dig into the potential consequences of a blocked drain…

HEALTH RISKS

Your drainage system isn’t the most sanitary of places at the best of times and is a breeding ground for bacteria, even more so when your drainage system isn’t functioning correctly, and wastewater is sitting in the pipes.

And if your system is completely blocked this can cause waste from the pipes to flow back into your home putting you at even greater risk of bacterial exposure.

Here are just some of the diseases lurking in your drains…

Peptic – Ulcer – Disease – studies regarding the contents of sewage systems and drains have shown that Helicobacter pylori is the most common bacteria found in these areas. This bacterium is responsible for causing peptic ulcer disease, a medical condition where ulcers or sores develop on the lining of the small intestine or stomach. Symptoms of the disease include dizziness, difficulty breathing, abdominal pains and blood in stools.

Typhoid – children are more prone to being infected with typhoid than adults, research suggests. Disease symptoms include headaches, skin rashes on the chest and stomach, constipation, and sore throat. One of the main causes of contracting typhoid is inadequate sewage disposal.

Campylobacteriosis – the bacteria campylobacter causes this infectious disease. Symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps, fever, and fatigue. The most common causes of contracting this disease are handling infected animal or human wastes and drinking contaminated water. The World Health Organisation (WHO) urges very strongly that households maintain efficient and effective plumbing systems to allow for proper disposal of sewage and the preservation of a clean water supply.

As you can probably tell. It is incredibly important to maintain the plumbing and drainage system within your home to avoid any potential diseases that can result from contact with contaminated water or waste.

PROPERTY DAMAGE

Leaking drains can cause subsidence and is in fact one of the most common sources. Drains are designed to take water into the ground beneath your property, so any leaks in your drainage pipes will send water into the areas you don’t want it to be- underneath your home!

The water will then act on the soil, either washing it away, softening it or weakening it, which can end up causing movement in the foundations above it.

Areas with sandy soil will experience an even bigger problem as it is more prone to being washed away or weakened when compared to other soils, like clay.

Leaking drains can also cause damp and mold damage to the interior walls of your home, and as we mentioned above. If your drains are completely blocked, this can also lead to flooding within your property.

INSECTS AND PESTS

If you’re a pond owner, you are likely fully aware of all the bugs and insects that love standing water. Stagnant water and waste is an ideal environment for some bugs that you don’t want in your home, including mosquitos, gnats, and other insects.

CONTAMINATED WATER

Leaving a blocked drain for too long can also contaminate your water supply. If a pipe becomes blocked due to waste, water won’t be able to flow freely through it. As a result, it will flow backwards.

That water can become contaminated with harmful bacteria. If your drinking water starts to look cloudy or has a bad smell to it, it’s important to stop drinking it immediately and get the problem investigated by a professional!

UNPLEASANT SMELLS

An unpleasant odor is usually one of the first signs of a drainage issue. If you’ve ever had to remove a trap or pipe from under the sink, you know just how unpleasant the smells coming from your drains can be!

If you’ve started to notice some of the drainage problems mentioned above, we’d recommend you get them checked out as soon as possible by a professional drainage control such as ourselves. We offer fast and friendly service and are able to provide our services to customers to a 50 mile radius around Exeter.

For more information, or to discuss a particular problem, please contact MJ Drains Ltd today.