Hub Cloud There are certain things that we take for granted in life, that we never stop to think about, and just expect to keep working. A light turns on when you flip the switch, for example, and water comes out of your tap when you turn it on. It is only when these things start to go wrong that you realise quite how much you depended on them in the first place.
When it comes to your plumbing, any issue can become a major problem. The sooner you notice and deal with these issues, the less serious the consequences can be. Read on to discover some of the key signs that the main drain is blocked in your home, and how you can go about fixing it right away..
How do I know if my main line is clogged?
There are a number of signs that will tell you your main line is blocked, and the important thing is not to ignore them when you notice them. Early action can make all the difference when it comes to your plumbing while delaying can lead to greater damage and a higher bill. One blocked sink could simply need the hair or other blockages removed, but your main drain is much more important.
Your main line, or main drain, is there to move all of your home’s sewage into the sewer line, getting it out of your home safely and hygienically. Some of the key signs that your drains are blocked include:
- A bad smell – this is the one that most people notice. It is hard to miss your home smelling like a sewer. And while it may be tempting to throw your windows open and hope that it goes away, this is a clear indication that something is not right with your plumbing. The smell will start off close to the drains, so try the sniff test here to see if you have an issue.
- More than one of your drains is clogged – one blocked drain can mean a localised problem, while more than one can show that it is your main line that is clogged. A big clog in your main line can affect every drain in your home, so keep an eye out for recurring issues here.
- Your water is draining more slowly in more than one drain – as well as an all-out clog making it obvious there is a blockage, you may see signs of one earlier if your drains are working, but working slower. If water is taking longer than usual to drain from your sinks, bath, or shower, this can be a key sign of a clog in your main line.
- You can hear your water gurgling or bubbling away – when water drains through an unblocked main line, it sounds gentle, with a trickling sound if you can hear anything. A blocked drain can sound much louder, as the water struggles to glug away.
- Water is backing up – this can be another obvious sign in your toilet, but keep an eye on your sinks, bath, and shower when you flush the loo, or run the washing machine. If water backs up when you are using another appliance or drain, it is a likely sign of a clog.
- You see water where it shouldn’t be – as well as water backing up, a clogged main drain can lead to standing water in your garden, water on your floors, or around your drains.
What happens when a main drain is blocked?
When a main drain is blocked, the wastewater or sewage that you create in your home cannot be expelled to the main sewer line. This may sound bad, but the reality is even worse. Picture raw sewage and foul water backing up, coming out of the drains in your bathrooms and kitchen, in your basement or in your garden. The picture may be unpleasant, but the smell is far worse.
A blocked main drain could leave your home smelling like a sewer, making it unbearable to stay there. The health ramifications can be even worse. There is a reason why it is so important that your sewage gets quickly and efficiently removed from your home. As well as smelling bad, it is terribly unhygienic and can cause disease to spread, posing a real health risk for you and your family.
A clog in your main drain can cause flooding, which can cause costly damage to your property and possessions. A sewage-soaked basement or floor will take more than sugar soap to put right. Once your sewage is backing up and your home is flooded, it will be far more expensive to return your home to normal than if you unclogged your drain in the first place.
How do I unblock the main drain in my house?
For the best blocked drain plumbing solutions, the optimal route to take is to call in an experienced plumber. Failure to unclog your main drain can cause untold damage to your property and your health, so it is essential that you get the job done right. In an emergency, if your home is flooding or you can see a lot of water, don’t hesitate to contact a plumber to help.
If, however, you spot the early signs of a blockage, there are a number of options you can try to unblock the main drain yourself. DIY and plumbing rarely mix, but these options have proven to work in certain situations. They include:
- Pouring boiling water down the drain
- Use bicarbonate of soda and vinegar
- Use a chemical drain cleaner
- Rent a drain cleaner
- Use a plunger
All these methods and more have been known to work. But if your main drain really is clogged, hiring a plumber can still be the best way to ensure you unblock it as quickly and effectively as possible.
Final thoughts
Your plumbing is something that you shouldn’t take for granted, as the consequences when it stops working correctly can be vile and hugely damaging. Watch out for the signs that your main drain is blocked, and then make sure you do everything you can to get your water flowing again. And to keep your home free from foul water and foul smells.
