The Health Risks of Blocked Drains
Keeping your home safe and functional is an ongoing effort. It takes continuous responsibility and investment to make sure that it’s in the best condition as it can be. However, there are just things that many homeowners tend to overlook and often, those are the invisible aspects of a home—the plumbing systems included. Of course, this is until something goes wrong.
One of the issues that many homeowners encounter are blocked drains. These can pose serious health risks on your family and even compromise the structural integrity of your home. Addressing blocked drain problems as early as possible can set you back a few thousands of dollars in repair and maintenance costs. There are many plumbing contractors offering drain cleaning Sydney wide and there’s no excuse to skip calling a professional plumber.
There are many potential reasons for blocked drains. These include:
- Sediment buildup
- Food particles
- Dirt and debris
- Soap residue
- Toilet paper/toilet paper alternative buildup
- Tree roots
In this article, we’ll discuss further the side effects of blocked drainage to your home and health.
Poor Drainage: One of the first signs of a blocked drain problem is poor drainage. When your drain is clogged, the water will take longer to drain than usual. In severe cases, the blockage will even cause the water to back up, causing an overflow.
Dirty Water: Food, waste, and all other debris can get caught in an already existing clog and all this gunk provides a suitable breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. The longer the clog is left unaddressed, the better their chances of contaminating your sink and even the water you use.
Bad Odours: When a clog blocks the water from getting through, it becomes stagnant and will start producing unpleasant odours. Not only that, but the blockage will also eventually dry out the pipes and when there’s no moisture to soak up the smells from decaying waste, the odours will eventually make their way into your home.
Leaks: Where would the water go when there’s no way out? Oftentimes, the clogs create enough pressure for the water to leak out of your pipes. These leaks not only further damage your pipes, but they can also make their way into your walls and floors, creating puddles in unexpected places.
In extreme cases, these leaks can also:
- Lead to flooding
- Promote mould and mildew growth
- Cause water stains and warping on the flooring and walls
Pests
The leaks in your home create a moist environment that attracts pests. For example, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and blocked drainage creates a conducive breeding environment for them. It also pays to mention that the smell of mould and mildew attracts other pests including termites as it indicates the presence of moist wood, which are easier for them to eat and make tunnels within.
Health Risks: The most pressing reason why you should clear your pipes as soon as you notice blocked drain problems is the health risks they pose. The mould and mildew growth, especially when they’re accompanied by a foul smell can trigger allergic reactions from people with airborne allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
Your best protection against clogged drains is to keep them from happening in the first place. Throwing your waste, including sanitary napkins, wet wipes, cigarette butts, even medicines and food waste in the proper rubbish bin can go a long way in keeping your drains problem-free for longer.
While it may seem like an additional cost, getting your drains inspected at least once every two years can also help you detect issues early in their stages and address them immediately, thus saving you on emergency repair costs in the future.
Contact your local plumber today and save yourself from the risks of blocked drain problems.
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