Blocked Drain - The Basics
A blocked drain is a potential disaster, whether it occurs at home or in a commercial space. Drains are meant to take dirty used water into the sewer, so when they block, the experience may be quite unpleasant. Blocked drains are a health hazard because dirty water carries a lot of disease-causing agents like bacteria, and it is worse in the event that the trapped water is from the toilet. As such, it is best to deal with the situation as soon as possible to avoid flooding, foul smells and the creation of breeding grounds for bacteria.
The causes and repercussions
Drains usually become blocked as a result of large objects or accumulated debris. Usually, the debris builds up over time to form a hard and impenetrable deposit of substances such as dirt, hair, grease, scum, leaves, plastics and other insoluble substances. When this happens, the drain is unable to allow water to pass and the usual result is that the water will return to its source and cause flooding. As the water from the blocked drains comes into contact with other items, they also become infected and will therefore need to be treated once the water is cleared.
In addition to the health risks associated to blockages, you might also lose your property to water damage. Water can be quite destructive when given the opportunity. Stagnant water also creates suitable breeding grounds for harmful organisms that could easily expose your family to serious ailments. As such it is critical to deal with any blockage as soon as it occurs.
Detecting a blocked drain
The usual tell- tale signs of a block in your drain include rising levels of water when showering, washing dishes or even flushing the toilet. Again, if you realize that there are bad smells in your house, or you notice stale smells coming from your sinks no matter how much you clean them, you may have a looming disaster blockage. Another obvious indication that you have a plumbing problem is when a pool of water collects around your drainage areas. If you notice any of these, deal with the problem immediately to prevent the situation from getting worse.
The remedy
There are many solutions that are available in the market to help you deal with blocked drains. The method to be used will depend largely on what kind of blockage you are experiencing. Simple blockages such as those of kitchen sinks are most likely to have been caused by food debris. A plunger will work well to remove the obstruction from the drain pipes. Other devices include the kinetic water ram that uses air pressure to remove the clog in the drain. You could also try a plumbing snake that uses power, but this should be handled with care and by a professional.
Surveys show that attempts made to unblock drains unprofessionally usually do more damage than good. As such, it is advisable to engage the services of a professional drain cleaner whenever the problem seems like more than you can handle.
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