Sniff, sniff, what is that smell? If your home has a sewer odor, this is just one of many symptoms of clogged pipes in your home. Clogged pipes can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare, due to the smells and potential mess involved in getting them cleaned out. Understanding the early symptoms of a pipe clog can help you take action before the clog gets any worse. With this simple guidance, you’ll know what to watch out for and what to do to prevent and treat backed up pipes.
How to Tell If You Have Clogged Pipes
Becoming familiar with the signs of a backed up pipe is essential for any homeowner in Prattville, AL. If you notice even one of these symptoms, you’ll need to do some troubleshooting and maintenance on your plumbing system.
- Slow drains. If any drain in your home empties slowly, the pipe is likely to be clogged. This includes drains for the washing machine, sinks, bathtub, shower, and toilet.
- Water backups. If water comes back up through any drain, the pipe is clogged.
- Strange sounds. If any drains or pipes are emitting gurgling sounds, the pipe is likely to be clogged.
- Bubbles. If any drains bubble as they empty, the pipe is becoming obstructed or already has a clog.
- Incomplete filling. If the toilet bowl doesn’t completely fill, its intake pipe could have a clog.
What to Do When Your Pipes Are Clogged
Once you notice that a pipe is clogged, there are several remedies you can try on your own before calling a professional plumber. These steps could resolve the problem and doing them regularly could prevent future clogs.
- Use a drain plunger. These are different from a toilet plunger. Vigorously pump the plunger for 1 to 3 minutes to release the clog. Follow this with hot running water for about 5 minutes.
- If the pipe is still clogged, try a natural pipe cleanser of 1 cup baking soda followed by 1 cup white vinegar. Allow this mixture to bubble for 30 minutes, then flush the pipe with hot running water for 5 minutes. You can do this as routine pipe maintenance as well.
- Auger the drain. A handheld drain auger or snake can dispel stubborn clogs.
- If the pipe is still clogged, you’ll need to call in the professionals. The clog could be further down the pipe than the auger can reach, the pipe could be offset, or there could be another plumbing problem.
A clog in a pipe must be dealt with promptly to avoid a total plumbing system breakdown. For professional help in getting your pipes cleaned out or to learn about our current service specials, call us at AC by Luquire today.
