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Plumbing is one of the most important systems in your home. Without a properly functioning plumbing system, you wouldn’t have access to clean water, hot showers, or even the ability to use the toilet.
Drains are an integral part of the plumbing system. A drain is the main way that dirty water and waste is moved away from your home. Located throughout your home, drains operate similarly to how rivers all eventually lead to the ocean. All drains lead to the sewer.
The sewer line leads from your home to the City of Toronto’s public sewage lines. This part of the plumbing system often goes unnoticed––until something goes wrong. Generally, drain issues sneak up on a homeowner. The signs often don’t seem like a huge deal. Left unaddressed, clogs, cracks, and leaks can cause water damage or flooding. There are many subtle signs of a clogged or damaged drain. To discover what they are, keep reading.
1. Bad Odours
Is there an unpleasant smell coming out of your sink? Whether it smells like rotten food or sewage, this means you need professional cleaning or drain replacement services. There are several reasons why bad smells are coming from your plumbing:
Clogged kitchen sink: Over time, rotten food that wasn't flushed down the sink will start deteriorating and emit an unpleasant smell. Other debris that gets caught in your drains can also cause a bad smell, such as hair, soap, or grease.
Clogged main sewer line: If the sewer line is blocked, you’ll smell waste and sewage. Your sewer line can become blocked by broken pipes, debris, and tree roots.
2. Slow Drains
Sinks, tubs and showers that are slow to empty indicate a clog. Food, hair, soap, grease, and other debris become trapped and block water. Sometimes, this can suggest something more serious, like a backed-up sewer line; especially if you see waste coming out of your drains.
3. Leaking
Leaks are never a good sign. They can happen anywhere in your home, and are often caused by water backing up in your pipes due to a clog. Check underneath your sink to see if there’s any dampness or pooling fo water that might indicate a leak. Also look at the plumbing in your basement. These pipes are easier to see since they’re not always covered by walls.
4. Corroded Pipes
While a little rust may not seem like a big deal, the issue with corrosion is that it will worsen over time. Pipes are designed to last anywhere from 20 to 100-years. But depending on the material, corrosion can still happen. Any kind of metal is corrosive and susceptible to rust. Iron pipes will rust and copper will corrode when exposed to chlorine or formaldehyde. Both of these chemicals are found in water. Eventually, the pipes will break and cause anything from leaks to floods.
5. Pooling Water
Anytime there’s water pooling in or near your home, there’s a problem. Water is meant to stay within pipes. If it’s in areas where it shouldn’t be, call your local Toronto plumber at Mr. Rooter to inquire about our drain replacement services. Common areas where water might pool include:
The lawn
The basement
Around the tub or shower
Under the kitchen sink, dishwasher and washing machine
6. Puddles in the Lawn
Do patches of your lawn look more lush than other areas? This could be a sign of a drain problem. Sewage acts as a fertilizer, which may make your lawn happy, but could also indicate your sewer has ruptured. Another sign of a broken sewer line is if there are unusual puddles in your yard—especially if those puddles smell bad.
7. Pests
Much like how your yard might enjoy the extra fertilizer from a leaking sewer, so do rodents and insects. If mice, rats, or flies are infesting your yard where there were none before, check on the sewer line. While the bad news is that sewage is leaching into your yard, the good news is that a drain replacement service with Mr. Rooter of Toronto can fix it; deterring insects and rodents and ensuring the issue does not worsen.
8. Water Stains
Often a sign of a leak or flood, if you notice water stains but no actual water this is because it has already dried. While it may not seem like a little water damage is a big deal, stains are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to plumbing. You only notice a small problem, but there is a serious issue happening below the surface that you can’t see.
9. Increased Water Bill
Has your water bill gone up recently? If it’s steadily increasing each pay period, there might be a plumbing problem somewhere in your home. The issue could be anything from a leaking pipe to a problem with the supply line.
A sudden spike in your bill means a significant amount of water is leaking somewhere in your house or yard. The water could be pooling under your home, so you don’t see the problem right away.
10. Toilet Problems
There are a couple of issues with your toilet that indicate a blocked sewer line. While it might just seem like the problem is isolated to the toilet, remember the entire plumbing system is connected. A toilet that won’t flush properly, seems clogged for no reason, or is making funny noises are all signs you need to call your local Toronto plumber.
For instance, don’t ignore the following problems:
Gurgling toilet: Toilets are not supposed to gurgle. If you hear it gurgling or notice bubbles in the toilet, there is a blocked pipe somewhere. The clog is inhibiting air from flowing freely and pushing it back up into the toilet—instead of down the drain.
Water comes up while flushing: Everyone knows that the point of a toilet is to flush waste away, not to have it come back up. When you flush the toilet and water backs-up (or comes up the tub or sink), that is a sign there’s an issue with your sewer. Often, tree roots are to blame for a serious sewer line clog.
11. Low Pressure
Is your water pressure lower than you remember? This is another plumbing concern that might seem like not a huge deal, but actually indicates a greater issue. Clogged drains are the most likely culprit for low water pressure. When a pipe gets clogged, the blockage makes it harder for water to flow through pipes. Since the water can’t flow at its correct capacity, the pressure is affected.
Schedule One of Our Pro Plumbers Today!
Have you noticed slow moving sinks, gurgling noises, or unpleasant smells coming out of your sinks? It could be time for a drain replacement or repair. Our plumbing professionals can expertly fix clogged or damaged pipes. Not only do we deliver outstanding plumbing services, but we also always put our customer’s needs first.
With Mr. Rooter of Toronto, you can conveniently book an appointment online or over the phone. Our plumbers will show up on-time, wearing the Mr. Rooter uniform, and equipped with all the necessary tools and skills to get the job done right the first time. We promise to always treat your home like it’s our own.
We’re happy to answer any questions you might have. Give our qualified and courteous plumbers a call at 416-699-8623 or request a job estimate online to get started today.