Blocked Drains’ Health Risks At Home

The health hazards of blocked drains

A blocked drain presents significant health risks in your home. As sewage and water waste back up your pipes, it can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria, viruses, and mould. This dirty water can emit a foul smell and release toxic gases like hydrogen sulphide and methane, which causes particular harm to your health.

Direct contact with sewage carries extreme health risks. Raw sewage contains pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, roundworms, pinworms and other bacteria, leading to severe infections and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Stagnant water from blocked drains draws in pests like insects and rodents, resembling a malfunctioning septic tank. A drain that backs up water can turn the area under your dwelling into a breeding ground for contamination, impacting the soil and groundwater, which can affect your family’s well-being over time.

Inhalation of toxic gases from blocked drains may lead to symptoms such as throat irritation, headaches, and ongoing respiratory issues. The effects blocked drains have concern, most notably, your young children and the elderly.

It’s important to clear drain blockages as soon as possible to protect yourself and your family from these health hazards. Contact a professional drain plumber as soon you identify causes of blocked drains to prevent contamination and dangerous sewage backups in your home.

How blocked drains damage your home

Blocked drains present numerous dangers, significantly impacting your home in various ways. Water and sewage, under pressure, can flow back, penetrate walls, slip under floors, and cause water damage, mould proliferation, and erosion. If unresolved, this can undermine structural integrity, risking deterioration and possible collapse.

Flooding from blocked drains can warp wooden materials, like floorboards and cabinetry, as water enters your property’s interior. Though seemingly harmless, water exposure causes wood to expand, twist, and splinter. Water damage can require the sanding or replacement of deformed surfaces, even after unblocking the drain.

A compromised sewer line, which is backed into a corner with blockages from common causes, could lead to serious issues like hazardous gas leaks into your residence. This can result in tarnished metals, corroded pipes, damaged electrical wiring, and stained surfaces, potentially leading to expensive renovations. Remediating this type of corrosion damage is difficult and costly.

When a drain becomes blocked, the resulting flooding attracts moisture-loving pests like termites and cockroaches. The burrowing and nesting of moisture-attracted pests could undermine your home’s foundation stability.

Ultimately, leaving a blocked drain can cause severe structural damage, as it can lead to weakening in the integrity of your abode, with costs so high they could soar into the tens of thousands. Prompt professional clearance of a blocked drain is essential to prevent costly property damage and hazardous living conditions.

Preventing drain blockages

To prevent clogged drains, consider these actions:

• Use drain strainers to catch food scraps, hair and other debris before they go down drain in your sink and shower.
• Avoid grease and food particles buildup in your kitchen - Let grease cool, solidify and scoop out food particles before disposal. Never let oils or fats flow down sink pipes.
• Be mindful of what goes down toilet to steer clear of potential drain blockage caused by non-biodegradable items like baby wipes, cotton buds, and sanitary products.
• Maintain clean gutters and downpipes to keep your drains free from leaves and other materials building up, ensuring water flow remains unobstructed.
• Use enzyme cleaners to wash your pipes - Enzyme drain cleaners help break down organic materials within your plumbing system.
• Schedule professional drain inspections - A plumber can assess your drainage system and take decisive steps to fix the problem of potential blockages before they escalate.

Ensure your drain maintenance is regular to keep your drains clear, which could otherwise lead to significant plumbing damage. Contact your local plumber without delay when you observe any indicators of a clog to prevent costly damages.

When to call a professional plumber

For unclogging drains, immediately enlist an experienced, licensed plumber upon noticing signs of a significant blockage. DIY drain cleaning methods often fail to resolve severe clogs or more complex plumbing problems.

The most common indicators that it’s time to call Strathfield Plumbing include:

• Water pooling around drains or with your sink included, alongside tubs or toilets, indicating backups
• Excessively slow draining water, potentially indicating reduced water pressure
• Gurgling noises from pipes
• Bad odor emanating from your drains
• Sewage worms or insects near your drains
• Multiple attempts at DIY drain cleaning have failed

Our skilled plumbers, equipped with specialised tools, effectively unblock drains to restore proper flow. Our drain inspections include checks for tree roots intrusions, pipe damage, or other underlying issues. We can then provide drain repairs, pipe relining or drain replacements as needed.

In the event of flooding or hazardous situations due to blocked drains, promptly contact our emergency plumbers at 1300 349 338. A swift response from us helps prevent further damage to your property and safeguards health.

For other drain blockages or plumbing maintenance needs, email us or book online to schedule affordable drain servicing, cleaning and repairs.

Our emergency plumbing services

At Strathfield Plumbing, we offer prompt 24/7 emergency plumbing services to help with urgent issues like flooding, sewage backflows, burst pipes, gas leaks and more. Our team of licenced plumbers are on call around the clock to provide emergency assistance when you need it most.

If you’re experiencing any of the following, call our emergency hotline immediately on 1300 349 338:

• Backed up sewage causing overflowing sinks/drains
• Major water pipe bursts flooding your home
• Broken hot water systems leaving you without heated water
• Gas leaks detected in your home’s plumbing
• Distinctive sewage odours indicating a troublesome blocked sewer

We make it a priority to have a plumber on your property as soon as possible, aiming to deliver service within the hour for emergency callouts in the Strathfield area. We carry a fully stocked van to facilitate urgent repairs day or night.

Our expert team can troubleshoot issues in your house, stop leaks, clear blockages, extract sewage, repair pipes and get your plumbing back in working order. We also offer We also provide flood restoration services when required.

Don’t hesitate to email or call Strathfield Plumbing when plumbing emergencies strike. The faster we can respond, the more we can do to minimise water damage and prevent health hazards.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of health issues can blocked drains cause?

Blocked drains can harbour bacteria, leading to gastrointestinal illnesses, respiratory difficulties, infections, and skin conditions. Raw sewage exposure could potentially make ill those in its vicinity.

How can I prevent my drains from getting blocked?

Use drain strainers, avoid pouring fats/oils down drains, monitor items flushed, clean gutters, use enzyme cleaners and get regular professional drain inspections.

When should I call a plumber for a blocked drain?

Call a professional immediately if you notice standing water, slow drainage, gurgling sounds, sewage smells, or ineffective DIY attempts to avoid damage and health hazards.

Is it safe to use chemical drain cleaners?

No.

It’s critical to appreciate that no advantages emerge from gambling with the integrity of your pipes using potent cleaning chemicals. They often aggravate clogs instead of fixing them. Call a professional plumber for safe, effective drain cleaning.

Signs of a blocked drain

There are several notable signs that can indicate your drain is blocked:

• Slow water drainage or a complete halt in flow
• Gurgling sounds coming from drain pipes
• Unpleasant sewage odours arising from drains
• Water pooling around or emerging from drain openings
• Toilets, sinks, baths and showers all draining sluggishly

An unpleasant smell may be the first sign that water isn’t flowing freely, warning of blockages that can rapidly worsen and harm your plumbing. Recognising and addressing clogged drains can significantly minimise potential damage. Continued usage of an obstructed drainage system can lead to sewage backflows, flooding, structural damage and health hazards.

Don’t ignore slow draining water, bad smells or gurgling noises coming from your drains. These are clear warning signs you likely have a obstruction that needs prompt professional attention. Contact a local plumber to inspect, clear, and maintain your drainage as soon as you notice the telltale signs of a blockage.

Dangers of sewer gases

Blocked drains can accumulate sewer gases including hydrogen sulphide, methane, and ammonia within your home. Exposure to these toxic fumes is harmful to your health, posing serious dangers.

Hydrogen sulphide gas, even at low levels, can cause health issues like headaches, nausea, and respiratory difficulties when emanating from blocked drains. Methane, a stealthy asphyxiant, could also displace oxygen, yielding dizziness, frailty and a peril of suffocation in enclosed spaces.

The threat from these gases is multi-faceted, as they could also explode if ignited, a dangerous reality of blocked drains. Chronic exposure from malfunctioning drains could lead to pipe corrosion and the emergence of respiratory conditions.

Ammonia vapours may irritate the lungs and eyes. Elderly people and young children face heightened risks from low water quality caused by blockages.

Additionally, the foul odours from these gases can make your living environment unpleasant. Addressing a blocked drain quickly not only restores drainage functionality, but also removes hazardous gases being released inside the home. Regular professional drain inspections and maintenance can detect blockages early, preventing dangerous gas buildups.

How to check for blockages

Regularly inspecting your drains and pipes for signs of blockages is crucial. Here is our guide on how to safely inspect for clogs:

• Wear gloves, goggles, and protective clothing when handling drains to avoid coming into contact with sewage
• Listen for gurgling noises that may indicate interrupted water flow when water goes down
• Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down sinks and drains, then check if bubbling occurs which indicates a partial clog
• Time how long it takes for water to drain - sluggish drainage often signals an obstruction
• Use a small mirror to peek down drains and check if you can see a blockage
• Carefully use a drain snake to try and dislodge minor clogs
• Check for lingering foul odours around drains which may indicate gas buildup from a severe blockage
• Inspect the ground area around pipes for wet spots signalling leaks
• Have a professional plumber do a camera inspection if you suspect serious drainage issues

When dealing with your drains, taking protective precautions is essential, but don’t hesitate to call a professional if you suspect serious blockages. Call a licenced plumber promptly if you confirmation of a severe clog to avoid health risks and property damage.

Emergency plumbing procedures

If you are experiencing an emergency plumbing situation such as an overflowing blocked drain or sewage backflow, it is crucial to act immediately to reduce health risks and prevent property damage. Here are some emergency procedures to follow, as outlined in this blog post:

• Shut off water supply valves if possible to minimise flooding from burst pipes or appliances.
• Switch off electricity to areas at risk from cold water damage or potential contact with live wires.
• Clear family members and pets away from the hazardous area.
• Place buckets and towels to catch water overflow and prevent slip hazards.
• Open windows to ventilate and avoid ignition sources if sewer gas smells are present.
• Take photos and videos to document damage for insurance claims.
• Call Strathfield Plumbing immediately on 1300 349 338 - we are available 24/7 for emergency plumbing callouts.

Our team of licenced, experienced plumbers have the expertise to quickly diagnose issues and implement emergency repairs to stabilise hazards. We take care to stop sewage overflows, extract blockages, fix burst pipes, seal gas leaks, restore water supply, and provide flood damage remedies.

Stay calm but act fast if a plumbing emergency strikes in your Strathfield home or business. The quicker we can respond, the more damage we can help mitigate. Don’t hesitate to contact Strathfield Plumbing for priority assistance when you experience flooding, sewage backflows or other hazardous plumbing issues.