The Dangers of Clogged Drains

It might not catch your attention right away because drain clogs often start small, but by the time water begins pooling in your sink or shower, a blockage in your drain may have already been building up for a while.

In your kitchen sink, grease, bits of food, and soap are the main sources of these blockages. They cling to the inside of the pipes and gradually build up until they block the flow of water. In your bathroom, hair, soap scum, and mineral deposits from hard water are the biggest offenders. They can restrict water flow just as easily, leading to frustrating backups.

Certain causes are less visible, but just as damaging, such as non-degradable items like wet wipes or cotton swabs. These can collect deep within your plumbing system and form tough clogs, since these items are not meant to be flushed down the toilet.

Outside your home, tree roots are another notorious culprit behind clogged drains. When they grow outward, tree roots sometimes infiltrate sewer lines in search of moisture, and this leads to serious blockages within these lines.

A drain blockage can come from many different sources, but in the end, the result is usually the same. Unless these blockages are dealt with promptly, things could get bad for your plumbing system quickly.

The Biggest Dangers Caused by Clogged Drains

When you are simply dealing with a bit of pooling water, it may not seem like clogged drains are a big deal. However, a small drain blockage can quickly escalate and lead to other plumbing nightmares.

These issues can be much more serious and can result in significant damage to your property, necessitating costly repairs and putting parts of your home out of commission until these fixes are complete. Let’s discuss some noteworthy threats that are posed by seemingly harmless clogged drains.

1. Bacteria and mould hazards

One of the most serious costs of unresolved clogged drains is the multitude of health hazards for you and your family. When water starts to back up and collect because of a clogged sink, shower, or bath, this standing water can become a perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

If this situation gets out of control, and you somehow ingest some of the bacteria, it could make you very ill and cause many unpleasant symptoms, such as nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Stagnant water can also potentially create the conditions for mould growth in or around your drains, which could be harmful to your health. Breathing in mould spores is known to cause respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues. To avoid such health complications, always deal with clogged drains promptly, so that bacteria or mould do not have time to grow and spread.

2. Insect and rodent infestations

If you are mortified by the idea of insects or rodents scurrying through your living spaces, make sure you always take clogged drains seriously. Another potential risk caused by a drain blockage is the development of an insect or rodent infestation in your home. A clogged drain, especially one blocked with food remnants, can attract such critters.

Flies, gnats, and other insects are also drawn to standing water. Once such an infestation begins, it can get out of hand in no time, causing quite a nuisance for you and others.

3. Toxic gases

On any given day, your plumbing system is home to a mix of rotting food, human waste, stagnant water, and chemical cleaners that can emit toxic gases, such as methane, nitrous oxide, and sulphur dioxide. These can be incredibly harmful to your health.

When your drains and the rest of your plumbing are in good working order, you are typically shielded from these gases. However, if your kitchen drain is clogged or there is another blockage somewhere else, these gases can enter your home.

If you breathe them in, you could become disoriented and experience adverse health effects. In extreme cases, an abundance of certain gases can even be fatal, so it is crucial that you handle your clogged drains before it ever gets to this point.

4. Water damage

Another major risk of clogged drains is that it can lead to water damage. If water becomes backed up in your pipes, it could eventually overflow and start seeping into your home. If that happens, you could face some serious damage to your walls, ceilings, and floors, and even to other cherished belongings.

The costs of repairing water damage can be astronomical. So, to avoid dealing with the expensive mess that comes with such damage and protect your home and its contents, never underestimate a clogged drain.

5. Pipe damage

Whether you have a clogged sink or a clog in your bathtub, this kind of drain blockage can lead to a build-up of water pressure, putting stress on your plumbing system. Over time, this stress can result in a cracked or burst pipe. If you have to replace damaged pipes, it can be both expensive and time-consuming.

To keep your pipes functioning as they should, enlist drain cleaning services if you notice a blockage.

How Advanced Plumbing & Drains Can Help With Even the Toughest Clogged Drains

If you want to avoid having to deal with any of the nightmare scenarios outlined above, all of which stem from clogged drains, make sure you stay on top of drain blockages whenever they occur.

However, if you have a tough blockage that you cannot manage yourself or you require professional drain cleaning services to help unclog the kitchen sink, Advanced Plumbing & Drains can provide all of the necessary solutions.

Our highly trained technicians have a ton of experience dealing with clogs of all types. So, no matter the source of your blockage, we are confident that we can locate the issue and deal with it promptly and effectively.

If the blockage is not immediately obvious, we offer drain inspection services, which involve the use of advanced equipment like drain cameras. If your drains need a solid cleaning, you can count on us to offer a range of drain cleaning services from traditional cable snaking to flexshaft and hydro jetting.

We also offer drain repair services if something appears to be broken, and we will do whatever it takes to get your drains back to their optimal functionality in no time. Not only do we offer expert solutions to any drain problems, but we also provide top-notch professionalism and competitive pricing.

For more information about how we can unclog drains or to learn more about the range of other plumbing issues we are equipped to handle, call Advanced Plumbing & Drains at (866) 863-9539 or contact us here.