Signs Your Main Drain Needs Attention and How to Address Them
We all know how important plumbing is, but it’s easy to overlook certain components, like your main drain, until there’s an issue. Ignoring problems with your main drain can lead to flooding, backups, and damage over time. Stay attentive to these signs indicating your main drain needs some TLC. We’ll also cover how to properly address drain cleaning Kansas City-based.
Clogged Drains That Are Slow To Drain
If all the drains in your home are draining slower than usual, even after you’ve tried plunging and using drain cleaners, the problem likely stems from your main drain line. When debris, grease, mineral deposits, and roots accumulate over months or years, they gradually restrict water flow through the main drain. The only way to fully restore drainage is to clear out the main line.
Attempting to clear blockages yourself with an auger may seem logical, but you risk scratching the pipe walls or getting the auger stuck. Then, the problem rapidly escalates. Call a professional plumber who has the right tools and techniques to properly clear blockages without causing additional issues. They can get your water flowing freely again.
Gurgling Sounds From Drains After Use
Strange gurgling noises coming from your drain pipes after you finish using a sink or appliance connected to the drainage system indicates a partial blockage. It means there’s still space for water to squeeze through, but debris is collecting in certain areas, causing backflow turbulence.
If you allow gurgling drains to continue unchecked, the debris mass choking your pipes will grow until it completely blocks drainage. Have your main line inspected and cleared as soon as possible. Doing so before total blockage happens can not only restore proper functionality quickly but prevent flooding disasters.
Significant Drainage Odors Indoors
Sewer gas odors indoors typically mean your main drain line has a leak or significant crack, allowing gases to escape into your home. Drainage gases contain hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs, and methane. Both gases are flammable in concentrated amounts and hazardous to your health when inhaled regularly.
Don’t hesitate to call a plumbing company if you suddenly notice sewer smells inside. Professionals have methods for locating the leak point and repairing it to prevent further gas intrusions. If you have floors above your home’s foundation, leakage could be saturating floor joints and materials, necessitating mold remediation as well.
Outdoor Sinkholes Or Soft Spots In The Yard
If you notice a sinkhole or unusually soft sunken earth in your yard, a damaged main drain line might be to blame, especially if it’s along the path your sewer line runs. Soil erosion around cracked pipes causes sinkholes when the ground material washes away.
Left unaddressed, further soil erosion would eventually leave a gaping pit leading right to the compromised plumbing pipes. Tree roots also commonly infiltrate and clog cracked drain lines. Have an outdoor plumbing inspection done to determine necessary repairs before the issues grow more severe.
Backflow Of Sewage At Drains
The absolute worst-case scenario is sewage actually backing up and overflowing from sinks, tubs, or toilets. Clearly, a complete main line clog or collapsed pipes are to blame. Raw sewage overflowing into your home presents a major health hazard due to disease-causing bacteria, not to mention the horrendous odor it releases.
If you experience such a catastrophe, don’t try DIY plumbing repairs. Call for professional emergency plumbing assistance immediately. The pros have heavy-duty equipment to clear blockages, cameras to inspect interior pipes for damage, and skills to quickly perform necessary repairs. They can also help remove contaminated materials properly and prevent recurrence.
Seeking Quick Assistance Is Crucial
While signs of main drain trouble can seem harmless initially, delays in professional repair work can allow small issues to spiral into truly nightmarish scenarios. Don’t ignore gurgling sounds, slow drains, bad smells, or wet spots around your home’s perimeter. Call plumbers right away before major damage or backups happen. Stay alert and take action at the first hint of trouble. Thorough main drain inspections and maintenance will also help ward off catastrophe. With prompt attention, your plumbing will keep working smoothly for decades.