Warning Signs of Drain Issues
Whether an ongoing issue or something that just popped up, drain problems at home can be a nightmare. Home plumbing supplies faucets, showers, toilets, and even the hose spigot outside. When one area experiences a clog, you may experience plumbing failures throughout the rest of your house in short order. Non-isolated issues usually rule out a faulty appliance or a minor leak. Unfortunately, they may indicate that the entire plumbing system needs inspecting and replacement in the worst-case scenario. When your plumbing starts acting up, paying attention to the common signs of drain issues will help you spot and alleviate the problem earlier. Here are the key warning signs of drain issues you do not want to ignore:
Slow drains
If your sink or shower drain begins to drain slowly, you might have a blockage down the plumbing line. If something obstructs the pipes from sending water and waste where they need to go, you may start to experience a backup in the yard or your shower. Take care of slow drains by contacting a licensed plumber for a plumbing inspection. You may be due for drain cleaning, or there may be something more serious at hand.
Spike in water bills
A pesky leak hardly shows itself outright when it is too small to detect within your walls but may show itself in the water bill. If the water usage has increased, but nothing has changed within the household usage, you may have a leak. An unexplainable increase in the water bill is nothing to ignore.
Unfortunate odors
Funky drain smells mean there may be a drainage issue where waste is not flowing from the house correctly. Gases from the sewer can get caught in your drain p-trap and cause foul odors to leak into your home. Bad odors coming from your drains are a sign you need to repair your plumbing.
Noticeable leaks
Water pooling inside or outside of the home indicates a leak. When the septic tank or sewer line leaks, you will find puddles of water or other wet spots around the house. There are many causes of plumbing leaks, such as corrosion, seal damage, extreme temperature swings, and high water pressure. Additionally, drain clogs that go untreated may also cause leaks. Have a plumber inspect the leak to find out the root cause and repair it to prevent further damage.
Water staining
Like finding pooling water, recognizing water stains in floors, ceilings, or basements indicate poor drainage. Sewage may have already started to back up and will stain areas in which it comes into contact. Water damage suggests a severe problem that needs to be repaired quickly and carefully so as not to cause further damage to the home.
Most drain issues require the attention of a professional. A seemingly minor clog could be your plumbing trying to tell you something more severe in your walls or under your home. Schedule an annual plumbing inspection for peace of mind. Also, consider using a professional drain cleaning service at least once every two years to keep your drains clean and clear for years to come.
MNS Plumbing provides prompt, efficient, and reliable drain cleaning, repiping, drain inspection, and video sewer line inspection services. Call 602-362-4524 to learn more.