The kitchen sink is not draining as it once did? A foul odor seems to be coming from the floor drain? Or perhaps you put down to some odd gurgling from the toilet on a flush. Such minor irritations are frequently indicative of more in your sewer or drain lines than meets the eye.
We at NexGen Plumbing & Drains are here to assist homeowners and businesses in Lower Bucks County with identifying these issues before they become something else. If what is described below rings a bell, we can be reached at (267) 802-2349.
You will not see drain and sewer trouble materialise overnight. It is a gradual process; weeks or months can go by before an issue becomes apparent. But your plumbing will have given you ample warning of a burst line or total backup well in advance. One only has to know what to look for to avoid the ensuing headache.
Slow Drains Throughout the House
A single slow drain is likely a clog in that spot. When a number of them are running behind at the same time however, you can be sure there is an issue in the main sewer line. It is the most common of warning signs and one of the first to appear, yet people tend to put it off.
Look for any of the following:
- More than one sink going slow
- Water left standing in the tub or shower
- A toilet that is slow to empty
- Using one fixture and having water back up in another
- Clogs that return after you have dealt with them
Should the entire system lag, a camera inspection by a pro will tell you all you need to know about what is going on in the pipe.
Unexplained Bad Smells
Odours are kept out of your home when a drain is properly vented and sealed. A partial clog or a trap that has run dry or a crack in the pipe can allow sewer gas to get in though. The smell of sewage or rotten eggs around a toilet or in the yard is your plumbing’s way of saying something is amiss.
More than being an inconvenience, a lingering stench could mean the line has broken and waste is getting into the ground under your foundation.
Gurgling and Backing Up
Running the dishwasher or washing machine may cause a toilet or sink to gurgle as air makes its way back through the water in the lines. That is a good indication the main line is restricted.
Then there is water backing up, the most unambiguous of warnings. Flush the toilet and have it come up in the tub, or put on the sink and see the floor drain fill. Your main sewer line is probably badly blocked. Most do not make the call to a plumber until then but the evidence was there to begin with.
Outside the Home
Your yard will give you some clues as to how your sewer line is faring:
- Grass that is greener and puts on growth faster in places
- No reason for a soggy or sunken patch in the lawn
- Pooling water along the path of the sewer line
- An odour of sewage in the septic area
- Pests making themselves at a hidden leak
Tree roots are often to blame, finding a hairline fracture in a pipe and growing into it to stifle the flow. There is no need to dig up the yard to find where; a video inspection will do.
Why You Should Act Early
These problems are not going to resolve on their own. What is a small clog today is a full backup tomorrow; a crack can lead to a collapsed line. An early intervention is a less costly and straightforward affair. Put it off and the job is a bigger one.
NexGen Plumbing & Drains is a family business of the Warrells. Our plumbers have in excess of 35 years between them and we are fully licensed (#067806) and insured. From trenchless pipe work and video sewer inspections to leak detection and drain cleaning, we do it all for the home or business. We cover a 20-mile radius in and around Levittown in Lower Bucks County, Newtown, Yardley, Langhorne, Bensalem, Bristol and other towns.
Do not let a small matter fester. For honest pricing and no hidden fees, put us on the phone at (267) 802-2349. We will put in a free estimate and get to the root of it before things deteriorate.
