There are a host of warning signs to look for that will provide warning if your outside drain is blocked. Looking out for these and noticing the early warning signs can prevent further longterm damage to your drain network. Understanding the signs in this article and acting on them, could save you money and keep your drains in working condition for longer. If you notice any of the following signs, it is important to call a 24/7 drainage expert.
1. Your Drains Smell
One of the earliest warning signs that drains are starting to back up or block, is foul smelling or unpleasant smells coming from your system. This can either be inside the property through plugs, vents or toilets, or outside the property through manholes, drain covers and pipework. You might find that the smell only comes from one fixing or appliance, or you might find that multiple points across the system start to smell. Isolated smells such as just one sink might mean that there is an issue with that appliance. However large scale smells and odours can be an early warning sign of deeper drainage issues.
What to do if your drains start to smell
There are a couple of immediate remedies you can try to see if your drain smells can easily be removed or if they require further investigation and professional help.
- Boiling water
If the foul smell is coming from a sink, the first thing you can try is boiling water. Sometimes, this can clear any minor blockages which can build up from things like hair, grease and dirt leading to foul smells. Start by pouring half a kettle of boiling water down the sink. Leave this a couple of moments and then flush through with cold water. Finish this cycle off by pouring the remaining kettle down the sink. In some scenarios this might be enough to clear the start of a blockage. - Baking soda and vinegar
Run the hot water tap until the water is hot to the touch. Next, pour a cup of baking soda down the plug hole followed by 2 cups of vinegar. The baking soda and vinegar will react and you might see some fizzing or bubbling coming out of the plug, don’t worry about this. Leave this to settle for a couple of hours before rinsing with cold water. This homemade solution might be enough to solve your problem, but if not, then it might be time to call in the professionals. - Call a drainage company
It goes without saying, if you try the above and there is still foul smells coming from your system, then unfortunately you have an issue. Most drainage issues don’t just go away by themselves and require intervention to stop further damage and larger scale drain problems. Initially a drainage engineer would most likely carry out a CCTV drain survey to get a better understanding of what is going on. From this they will be able to judge if it requires a simple jet and clean or if there are other issues surrounding the problem.
2. Sinks Draining Slowly
Slow draining sinks, baths or toilets can be a sign that your outside drain is blocked. Restriction of flow means that as the water builds up in the pipe network, it takes much longer to drain from your internal appliances. You might find that toilets or appliances such as dishwashers and sinks start to backup and do not flush away easily. If not treated as an emergency, this can lead to further issues such as flooding and overflowing.
As with the above points, you can try home remedies first such as boiling water, drain unblocking agents such as Mr Muscle or try using an old fashioned plunger. If none of these work, then a drainage expert is your next solution.
3. Gurgling Noises From Drains & Sinks
Under normal circumstances, drains and sinks do not produce noise as they drain or flush. If you start to hear gurgling or bubbling sounds from your sinks, this could be an early sign that your outside drain is blocked. When a drain gurgles, it most likely means that water or air is being prevented from flowing freely through the drainage system. This can be caused overtime due to a build up of grime, grease, dirt and hair going down your sinks and toilets, or it could be due to a larger drain blockage further down the network. You will most likely find that gurgling and noises also come along with some of the other symptoms mentioned in this article.
If you are experiencing issues like this, contact us and describe your issues over the phone. Elite Drainage Services UK Ltd have a team of engineers and office staff who will be able to provide a solution and clearly explain how we can go about resolving it.
4. Low Water Pressure
You might be thinking that low water pressure is a strange sign of your outside drain being blocked. However, this can be a key indicator of issues along the system. Your entire drain and water system are connected, blockages and flow restrictions on one part of the system can put strain on another part of your system causing low pressure out of taps and showers. Although low water pressure cannot always be taken as a direct cause of a blocked outside drain, from our experience, it can be one of the warning signs.
Although low water pressure can also be caused by things such as; broken pipework, leaks or poor fittings, blocked drains can also be a route cause. Restriction of waste flowing from the property could mean that the drainage system is backing up somewhere and causing the whole water pressure to drop in the property. You might notice water overflowing from external manholes or vents alongside this symptom. If you notice this, call a professional straight away to unblock and investigate.
5. Damp
Having an outside drain that is blocked can cause various types of damage to your property including damp issues. Largely, this problem comes from leaving issues untreated and not dealing with the problem as it happens which can lead to longer term damage. Due to damp building up overtime, this sign can be hard to spot straight away and you might notice some of the above mentioned symptoms quicker allowing you time to act. If a drain is blocked, it can lead to water and waste leaking out of the pipework and soaking into floors, walls and foundations of the property. This is when damp issues start to occur. The early signs of damp to lookout for are:
- Wallpaper coming away from the wall
- Plaster becoming flakey or discoloured
- Cold walls or slightly wet patches
- Condensation on widows
- Start of black mould growth normally in corners or windows
Looking out for these early warning signs can provide you with a good opportunity to treat the issues before they become worse. With a thorough CCTV survey of the drainage system, you would be able to see any cracks, damage or issues and tackle the root cause of the problem. Such issues could mean that pipework has to be relined to allow for a new internal membrane in the pipes or complete dig up and renewal of the system if it is more serious.
Do You Have Any Of These Signs Of A Blocked Outside Drain?
If you are experiencing any of the above mentioned 5 signs that your outside drain is blocked, we recommend contacting us for clear advice and guidance at the earliest possible point. Catching problems at the early stages before they become worse can save you money in the long run. Most drain blockages are signs of deeper problems with your system. This can be in the form of displaced joints, roots growing through your system, cracked pipework or completely collapsed pipework. If drain blockages are left, they can cause serious damage to your property including in the worse case scenario property subsidence. To get a full inspection and internal overhaul of your systems, contact our drainage experts or call 0800 861 1900.
