While your home’s plumbing system plays a critical role in the day-to-day operations within your home, you are not alone if you do not regularly give much thought to the condition of your home’s plumbing, and in particular, its drains. However, should your toilet start to overflow, or if black stuff starts backing up in your shower, you may wonder if there were signs you missed indicating that you were in need of professional drain cleaning. To help you avoid such a problem, here are a few signs indicating that your drains need cleaning.
Something Smells Off
An unpleasant but clear sign that something is wrong with the plumbing in your home is if you notice an unpleasant smell coming from one or more or your drains. If there is something wrong with your plumbing (such as a blockage), dirty water and/or sewage can collect in your plumbing, which can fester and cause unpleasant smells throughout your home that can be particularly bad during the hot months. Do not ignore these smells as it could indicate serious plumbing problems that need to be addressed.
There is an Abundance of Fruit Flies
Not only are fruit flies a nuisance in many homes and kitchens, but they can also be an indicator of the condition of the plumbing in your home. While most people will encounter the occasional fruit fly, if you suddenly notice a lot of fruit flies in your home, this could indicate a blocked drain. While the smell of a blocked drain can be unpleasant to us, this scent will often attract fruit flies. Thusly, if you have been battling fruit flies in your home, your plumbing may be to blame.
A blocked drain could also be the culprit if you have been noticing small, strange-looking flies in your bathroom. Known as drain flies, sewer flies, or filter flies, these small insects commonly breed in drains and sewers, making a blocked drain a perfect place for them to live. Noticing these insects is a clear sign that you need to have your home’s plumbing inspected and serviced immediately.
Slow Drains
Another sign of plumbing problems you need to be aware of is slow drains, as this is a subtle yet clear indicator of a blocked drain. If you went to wash dishes, or take a shower, and you noticed that the water seemed to be draining slower than normal, do not assume that this is a fluke and that the problem will go away. This usually indicates that a clog or block is building up in your drain, and your drain will likely soon become blocked entirely unless you have the problem fixed.
You Hear Strange Sounds
One easy way to detect problems with your plumbing early is to listen to the sounds your drains make. One of the earliest signs that a sink, shower, or toilet will exhibit indicating a drainage problem is if they make unusual gurgling or bubbling sounds when you run water or flush the toilet. When a block is forming in your drains, this will force water and sewage to pass through smaller spaces, creating these usual sounds. You can then save yourself a lot of trouble by listening to your pipes so that you can have them repaired at the first sign of a block forming.
Knowing the early signs indicating problems with your home’s plumbing can help you to avoid the headache of having your home’s shower, sink, or toilet become blocked. Contact us to learn more about signs you can be on the lookout for indicating problems with your home’s plumbing as well as to schedule plumbing service.
