How Bad Can a Blockage Get?

How Bad Can a Blockage Get?

How Bad Can a Blockage Get?

Plumbing blockages can go from a minor inconvenience to a major catastrophe in the blink of an eye. It starts innocuously, perhaps with a gurgling noise in the pipes or a slow drain, and before you know it, your walls are saturated with water from a burst pipe.

Blockages, if left unaddressed, can wreak havoc on your home and wallet. But just how bad can they get?

This post explores the small factors that can lead to much bigger plumbing issues.

What causes plumbing blockages?

Blockages can cause drainage problems like a blocked kitchen sink drain, slow running drain in the shower, or a toilet that won’t flush.

But what causes these blockages? Here are a few causes.

Flushing inappropriate items down the toilet

Flushing foreign items like baby wipes and paper towels down the toilet can easily cause blockages. The items will get stuck in your pipeworks and create an obstruction, blocking your drain.

Tree roots

You should never plant anything, especially trees, on or near your underground plumbing job. The roots may grow into sewer lines, causing blockages.

Grease down the sink

Grease and fat washed down the sink is a common cause of blocked drains. These substances coat the walls of pipes and combine with other debris to create tough clogs.

How bad can a blockage get?

What seems like a minor leak or a dripping faucet can turn into a horrendous plumbing issue requiring professional attention. Here are worse-case scenarios for blockages.

Burst pipes

A clogged drain can cause a pipe to crack or burst. Massive clogs limit the flow of water downstream. This builds up incredible pressure upstream, which may crack and eventually burst your water pipes.

Burst pipes can cause significant damage to your home and property, especially when you’re not at home when they burst. Local plumbers come in handy in such scenarios. When choosing locally rated plumbers, consider their response time, call-out fee, and other essential details.

Home lift ups (underpinnning)

A plumbing blockage in your sewer line can cause wastewater to back up into your home. This can result in raw sewage flooding your home, in what is known as a home lift-up.

A home lift-up is an unpleasant and hazardous situation requiring immediate attention from a professional local plumber.

Pipe relining

A blockage can increase the pressure inside your pipes, causing them to crack or burst. This damage requires an expensive repair. For instance, the damaged pipes may need to be relined—inserting a new pipe inside the old one.

It’s always important to have an emergency plumber in case your pipes burst unexpectedly. Commercial plumbers are highly recommended for this job.

Build up

A blockage could cause a build-up of debris, wastewater, and other unwanted items in your pipes. These items may corrode your pipes or build pressure inside the pipes to cause cracks or bursts.

The build-up can slowly damage your pipes and cause other significant plumbing issues requiring major repairs or pipe replacements.

Final thoughts

Blockages often stem from seemingly small factors like flushing inappropriate items down the toilet. However, they can cause significant damage over time, including build-ups or burst pipes requiring emergency plumbing services. Moreover, the constant presence of water can damage your walls, floors, and roofs.

Regular inspection and maintenance of your plumbing issues can help you identify smaller issues that could otherwise turn into significant problems.

Need a certified and insured local plumber? Contact us today.


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