It happens in the worst possible moments, and can not simply ruin our day but also cause serious damages to our property (or our neighbors). Let’s see a few useful tips on how to prevent drainage issues, and avoid small leaks to become a large pool of problems. Here are 3 signs that you might have a drainage issue within your house or apartment.
Sign #1 – The kitchen sink is making slurping sounds
Many Americans have a food waste grinder in their kitchens sink, while others don’t use this equipment. If you fill the sink with water, and use it to wash dishes, or simply just to wash your hands, then drain the water, the signs of issues can be the following:
- Drainage is slower than usual. You can notice this by observing the water level, it ripples but doesn’t get any lower.
- A ‘slurping’ sound comes back from the pipes.
- The small vortex at the drain is not visible.
The above might be a red flag that you should take care of the issue. It might be a carrot incorrectly cut in pieces by the grinder, which can be solved even using DIY methods. However, it is common to experience, that different fats, limestone, and other food waste stick up on the pipe’s side, especially at the cross-sections, and slowly form an ever-thickening layer. This will eventually lead to the internal diameter to decrease, which is the first step to clogging.
Sign #2 – Bathroom issues
There is a whole variety of signs to look out for in the bathroom. The washbasin, the bathtub, or shower tray all have their independent drains. Luckily, we do not wash dishes in the bathroom, which can lead to pipes filled up with waste, but creams, shower gels, shampoos are also silent killers of the plumbing. Similar to fat cells in our veins, these gels slowly form a thin layer on the pipes’ side and impede the flow of water.
Another plumbing issue can be if the water flowing from the tap is not transparent and limpid. Have a yellowish, brownish color indicates that the water is flowing through a zone where the plumbing is broken or cracked.
Sign #3 – The toilet
It is probably the weakest link in every house’s or apartment’s plumbing. The toilet drain is by far the most used part of the pipe network, and unfortunately, sometimes people flush down things that are meant in the trash. A few horrible examples: grilled chicken, sanitary pads, towels, and a t-shirt. While these items are an absolute no-go, or in this case no-flush, if the drains are not cleaned regularly, they will clog in the same way.
If you have the traditional, European type toilet, that is empty when not used, you can easily notice the issues if the water level is rising during the process, instead of the water to quickly flow downwards. If you have the other type of toilet, that is filled constantly with water and it only empties when flushed, then you need the observe the issue through the velocity of water level decreasing.
You can do a lot on your own to prevent the above issues, but if the classic cleaning gels and pumping doesn’t work, you will need to request professional support. Graydon Faulstick Plumbing offers exceptional well and water treatment services to Salyorsburg, Monroe County, Carbon County, and the West End.
At Faulstick, we specialize in installs, repairs, and inspections for all of your well, water, and plumbing needs. Our family-owned and operated business has built a reputation as the best-doing things the right way with the customer in mind, every time.
