You may know that something’s wrong with your plumbing but aren’t quite sure what. Perhaps you suspect a clogged drain but don’t know the signs to look for to confirm your suspicions. From a funky smell to changes in water pressure, you’ll learn to diagnose clogged drains by reading on.
At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, we respond to home pipe failure and drain clogs and get your plumbing issues settled promptly and affordably. Still, you may want to get an idea of what the problem is for your own peace of mind before calling in the cavalry.
There’s nothing wrong with a little detective work and your keen eye may help the job go more quickly. Here are the symptoms of a home or municipal pipe that’s firmly clogged.
1. Changes in Water Pressure
Water pressure changes or changes in water flow are one of the most immediate signs of a clogged pipe. This indicates that part of the pipe is cracked or broken or, more commonly, you may have a troublesome clog that’s inhibiting the flow and creating a blockage.
The water pressure change can take place at any of the taps in your home or in all of them at once. This depends on where the clog is happening and the severity of the clog.
Once you’ve identified the symptom, you could take further steps to investigate or call the experts at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. We can find and clear the clog and identify any other issues with your pipes that need attention.
2. Frequent Debris Coming Out of Fixtures
Changes in water flow or pressure may occur slowly over time. However, you can keep an eye out for debris. This could be gunk or grime that comes out of water fixtures when you turn on the tap. It’s a clear sign that you have severe clogging somewhere in the pipes of your home.
This type of clog sometimes occurs following poor waste disposal habits or drain care. If you flush hazardous material through the drain or garbage disposal, it may lead to this type of problem. After the experts at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain clear the clog, you may wish to avoid putting the following items down the drain to prevent future clogs:
- Cooking oils and various fats
- Animal bone materials
- Fibrous, stringy food
- Grease
- Vegetable and fruit skins
- Paper products
3. Dampness and Wet Spots
When you have a clogged drainpipe, it might be easier to diagnose the source of the problem by looking for damp spots inside and outside the home. If you believe the drainpipes or water lines aren’t functioning properly, map out the spots on the floor, ceilings, and walls. Also, note any unusual wet spots in your lawn.
4. Irregular Lawn Features
Everyone loves lush green lawns. However, sudden green spots and other lawn irregularities often indicate that there may be a pipe failure on your property. External pipe failure can clog the line and cause wastewater to back up inside the home.
Here are additional symptoms that may indicate a problem with your outside pipes that can impact the plumbing inside your home:
- Flooding and concentration of water
- Oddly lush grass patches
- Foul odors originating from irrigation or drain entrances
5. Very High Water Bills
Spikes in your water bill indicate clogged drainpipes or a leak. If you take a numbers approach to home maintenance, fixing the problem saves you much more money in the long run than what you pay the plumber. This is especially true if you use bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, which has very reasonable rates.
Clogs can cause the waste material to build up in a pipe and eventually crack or break the pipe itself. This may cause large amounts of water to escape near the clog. The impact of water leakage shows up almost immediately on your water bill.
6. Poor Maintenance Techniques
If you suspect that your poor maintenance and usage has resulted in a pipe clog, it may be time to call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain to put things right.
For example, one of the worst things for your pipes is the overuse of cleaning solutions men to eliminate clogs. These products break up debris, but the chemicals can corrode the inner walls of your pipe. Eventually, the next time you get a clog, you could end up with broken and cracked pipes as well.
Ask your bluefrog plumber for maintenance tips to prevent clogs and damage to your pipes.
7. Terrible Odor
When your drain accumulates waste, it may give off a bad smell. This is an obvious sign that there’s a problem. Note bad smells coming from your shower, bathtub, kitchen sink or toilet. This is most likely caused by an accumulation of hair, food and other debris.
The blockage prevents these materials from draining and eventually cause the drain to back up. The bigger the blockage, the worse the odor.
8. Overflow
An overflowing toilet is one of the most obvious signs that you have a clog. When the water can’t flow through the pipes, it backs up into the toilet, causing it to overflow.
Typically, there’s enough water pressure in the toilet to prevent an actual overflow. However, rather than clean up the mess and hope it doesn’t happen again, give us a call to fix the problem.
9. Strange Noises
Sometimes, pipes ground and complain like there’s a monster living in the drain. strange gurgling may occur when water drains from the shower or sink. This indicates a water flow disruption, probably originating with a clog.
When a clog or other plumbing problem makes life difficult, call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. Our experienced technicians know the signs of clogged drains and how to fix them fast. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
