Why Is My Drain Overflowing?
Are you experiencing an overflowing drain and wondering what could be causing it? Do not worry any longer, as we have an informative guide to help you identify the issue.
Let’s face it; overflowing drains are problematic and can break down your entire water drainage system. But you can avoid this nuisance.
Remember that overflowing drains are not treated immediately; they can cause further leakage, breakdown of pipes, and damage to electric lines. And if the water seeps into the ground or walls, you may need a lot of digging to fix them.
If you call for help at the initial stages of a malfunctioning drain, you might be able to prevent any severe plumbing issues.
Let us tell you that even small reinforcements in the kitchens and bathrooms can go a long way in preventing severe drainage issues. Plus, you will save a lot of money in the process.
This read will discuss the significant causes of overflowing drains and prevent them. So, dive in!
There can be multiple factors that can affect and cause an overflowing or even leaking drain, which include:
If you find overflowing drains outside your house, there could be a blockage due to the accumulation of leaves. Especially if trees are on top of the gutters, dry leaves, branches, and dirt can fall into the drain. These can create a blockage overflowing from another outlet or even a burst pipe.
On the other hand, indoor blockage could result from toilet paper towels, sanitary napkins, or any other foreign object flushed down the sink or toilet. These get stuck in the drainage pipe, preventing water from flowing and hindering water movement. You might then find your sink or toilet overflowing.
Do not open the tap and call for immediate help in such a case. Many professional plumbing services can fix these within a day, so note the emergency plumbing services nearby.
Alternatively, a DIY drain snake, also known as a drain auger, is a tool for physically removing foreign objects that may have become stuck inside the plumbing system. Push the drain snake into the drain line until you reach the obstruction. Then, slowly poke it with the snake to dislodge it from its place.
If you find an overflowing drain, it is crucial to spot the exact location of the blockage. It is usually due to sanitary products being washed down in the bathroom. But if it is the kitchen, it would be food bits and grease.
Grease and oil harm outdoor drains as they accumulate on the side walls. Hair and food particles get stuck to the grease, resulting in intense or stubborn blockages.
If your kitchen sink is blocked, you can use store-bought chemicals to break down the clogs. They must be emptied into the drain overnight before washing with boiling water. Try doing this only if there is a minor blockage or the drain hasn’t overflowed. If it has, then you will need professional help.
Old and worn drain pipes can easily cause a blockage, so it is vital to get them checked often. Rust is another reason that can cause the pipes to malfunction, causing slow-draining sink blockages. If you have old pipelines or recently bought a fully functioning house, it is best to get plumbing services to look at the drainage system.
They use CCTV cameras for inspection to avoid unnecessary digging or tearing down walls. If there are old and rusted pipes, fix them immediately, and you should not face any issues.
There are many ways to prevent drains from overflowing, and we will walk you through them sometime.
Remember that it is essential to watch over what enters your drains. If you can keep a note of that, then you can easily prevent drain blockages, foul-smelling water, and damage to electrical fittings.
Also, blocked drains could cause pipes to leak near the leaking roofs, ceilings, sewer lines or behind walls. This could cause major problems, and you might have to pay a hefty sum to repair damp walls or ceilings. So, vigilance becomes the key to keeping your repair bills down!
If you have a front yard or a backyard, you must keep both clean. Otherwise, leaves, debris, and other kinds of waste will accumulate in the garden, making their way to drains anytime it rains, thereby creating blockages.
Hence, ensure you sweep these places regularly and use a heap bin to collect garden waste to create compost. Moreover, it’s best to place these heaps away from drains and not enter them with rain or stormwater.
But if you still see blockages, call for professional help and ask them to reach your place as soon as possible. They will do a CCTV survey to examine the areas where the obstruction has occurred.
Once they determine the location and cause, they might need to dig to fix the issue. And if they need to replace the pipes or outdoor drainage, the plumber will inform you in advance. There is also an option for pipe relining, which you can speak to your plumber about.
You can follow some basic rules in the bathroom, such as not throwing any foreign objects in the toilet. Likewise, be careful about your hair clips and ensure you do not accidentally drop them. Hair clips can get stuck in the drain and collect hair, causing a blockage over time.
On the other hand, napkins, face wipes, tissues, and sanitary napkins must be discarded in a bin, not in the toilet. If you do not have a bin, place one near the sink so your guests and family can use it to discard them. Any foreign object in the drain would mean a blockage, as the pipes are thin, and these things can get stuck quickly.
Keep mesh nets or silicone mesh over the drain holes to keep hair from flowing in and clogging the drains. These are generally used for the shower area, which sees the most hair.
The mesh prevents hair from entering the drain by gathering it on the top. It also becomes easy to dispose of the accumulation immediately, keeping your drains safe and free from clogging.
There are multiple ways to fix laundry drain blockages and prevent washing machine drain overflow. Some methods are long-term solutions, and sometimes they are more temporary. You can go for a DIY solution, a cheap alternative, replace your laundry with a high-efficiency washing machine or call a professional plumber who can better fix the situation.
Again, you must check what is going down the drain to prevent blockage. We recommend scraping all the plates well before putting them in the sink. And in case of grease on utensils, let it cool down in the pan and dispose of it in a bin. Never wash it down the sink.
Grease is extremely bad for drains, and it is best to prevent pouring it directly into the sinkhole. If there is no other way, pour chilled water into the drain to flush the grease well. This solidifies the grease to some extent and can easily pass out of the pipes. Cold water can help clear off the grease on the drain’s sides.
You can keep a strainer at the bottom of the sink, which will catch all the food particles. Then clean it at the end of the day, but don’t forget to wear your gloves.
Remember that underground drainage problems require professionals to dig holes, which could cause some damage to your garden or walkways. So, always consider it a last resort and get all the plumbing issues fixed as soon as you see any signs.
Many homeowners mistake waiting for too long, which only worsens the situation.
Your area will have professional plumbing services you can trust to do the job. If you are experiencing an overflowing or blocked drain in Melbourne, call us today!
With this, we will leave you to it, and we are sure you now have enough knowledge about how to prevent future blockages and overflowing drains,
See you next time!
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