The Top 5 Signs Your Drains Are Blocked – And What to Do About It
Blocked drains are more than just an inconvenience – they can lead to costly damage, foul smells, and even health hazards if left untreated. At Metro Rod, we see thousands of drainage issues every year, and many of them could have been prevented by catching the warning signs early. Here are the top 5 signs your drains might be blocked and what you should do if you notice them.
- Slow Draining Water If your sink, shower, or bath takes longer than usual to drain, it’s one of the earliest indicators of a blockage. This is often caused by a build-up of soap scum, hair, food waste, or grease inside the pipes. It may seem minor at first, but it can quickly escalate.
- Unpleasant Smells A foul, lingering smell coming from your drains is never a good sign. Blockages often trap organic waste, which then starts to decay and emit an unpleasant odour. If the smell worsens when you run water, it’s time to take action.
- Gurgling Sounds Hearing gurgling noises from your pipes, especially after flushing the toilet or running a tap, suggests trapped air caused by a blockage. This is your plumbing system crying out for help!
- Water Backing Up If water starts coming back up from the plughole after you drain a sink or flush a toilet, you may have a severe blockage further down the line. This is a red flag and needs immediate attention.
- Overflowing External Drains Regularly check your outside drains. If you see water pooling around them or waste materials, it could mean there’s a major blockage in the main drainage system.
What To Do Next
- Try a Plunger: For small blockages, a plunger can sometimes dislodge the debris.
- Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners: These can damage pipes and often don’t solve the root problem.
- Call Metro Rod: Our team is available 24/7 with specialist equipment like high-pressure water jetting and CCTV drain surveys to diagnose and clear blockages efficiently.
Preventing Future Blockages
- Don’t pour fats, oils, or grease down the sink.
- Use drain guards to catch food scraps and hair.
- Only flush the 3 Ps: pee, poo, and (toilet) paper.
Stay One Step Ahead If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. A quick response can save you money and stress. Contact Metro Rod for expert drain unblocking services tailored to your needs.
Talk to your local Metro Rod specialist
We are always happy to arrange a free site assessment and no obligation quotations for any work you might need. Alternatively, you can call our emergency hotline number on 0800 66 88 00
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