Plumbing is one of the most used yet neglected systems in your home. Working hard behind the scene, your plumbing system provides clean water on demand while draining and diverting wastewater away from your home.
Most homeowners are guilty of taking their plumbing system for granted until it shows issues. Even then, some homeowners still fail to resolve these issues, especially minor ones like clogs. However, a blocked drain is more than just a nuisance.
In this article, you’ll learn the consequences of a blocked drain on your home and family. We also share the common causes of blocked drainage in your plumbing system.
Blocked Drains And Their Causes
Generally, your plumbing pipes are designed to allow uninterrupted flow or drainage of wastewater. However, when foreign objects accumulate in these pipes, a blockage can form, preventing water from draining properly.
Some of the most common causes of a blocked drain include:
Hairs
Grease and oil
Food scraps
Soap residue
Bathroom trash such as cotton swabs, tissues, baby wipes, and feminine products
Children’s toys
Mineral buildup
Wear and tear
Tree root intrusion
Regardless of the cause of blocked drainage systems, it’s essential to call a plumber to determine the source and fix the issue. This is true whether you have a minor clog or a major blockage in your plumbing lines.
When choosing a plumber, check their reputation and experience in fixing all kinds of clogs. Most plumbing companies share testimonials and have company pages on review websites to provide insight into their operations. For instance, the Cylex listing for Dan’s Plumbing gives a brief overview of the company and allows real-life customers to review their services to help other users make a well-informed decision.
5 Consequences Of A Blocked Drain
A blocked or clogged drain can create many issues for your home and family. In this section, we enumerate some harmful effects a blocked drain can have on your home and health.
It Is Inconvenient
Blocked drains are a significant inconvenience. When something clogs your drainage pipes, you experience slow-moving drainage, which can significantly inconvenience and affects your productivity.
Depending on the pipe affected, a blocked drain prevents you from washing the dishes or taking a shower, disrupting your daily life. Unless the clog is fixed, you may be unable to resume your daily activities.
Water Back Ups
If you’re lucky, a blocked drain only causes inconvenience due to slow drainage. However, a blocked drain can lead to water backups if left alone. Since the pipe’s contents can’t drain properly, the blockages create an overflow, causing water to back up the drain.
Pipe Bursts
A clog puts a lot of stress on your pipe. It increases water pressure which causes the material to expand and crack. This results in water leaks, or worse, a pipe burst which can lead to other issues when neglected.
Spread Of Bacteria
There’s a reason why drainage pipes divert wastewater as far away from your home as possible–to prevent the spread of bacteria.
However, when your drainage pipes back up or the lines leak or burst, the blockage builds up, and contaminated water can spread germs throughout the area. Contact with contaminated water can increase health risks, including digestive issues and viral diseases.
In addition, the wet, bacteria-filled conditions can also encourage the growth of mildew and mold within these pipes. This can trigger allergic symptoms such as stuffy nose, breathing issues, skin irritations, etc.
Aside from mold, this condition also attracts insects and pests, bringing more bacteria and diseases into your home.
Property Damage
When leaks are ignored, moisture can seep into your home’s structure and wreak havoc. In particular, homes with wood structures are at high risk of damage, causing rotting of materials. Meanwhile, metal parts become corrosive after prolonged exposure to water. These can make the structure weak, impacting the integrity of your home.
If not resolved immediately, water damage can lead to costly repairs and significantly reduce property value. In addition, moisture could also travel down outlets and electrical wirings, causing a short circuit and potentially creating a fire.
Takeaway
Blocked drains are a common occurrence in most homes. While they may seem minor and harmless, a blocked drain can cause serious damage to the rest of your plumbing system when left unchecked. It can also wreak havoc on your home’s structure and cause unwanted health safety risks such as contact with contaminated water or increased bacteria-carrying pests.
As such, when a blocked drain occurs in your home, it’s essential to call the experts to resolve the issue immediately. Regardless of how minor it seems, a clogged or blocked drain should be fixed immediately to prevent further damage and consequences.
