Consequences of a Broken Drain

We’ve all been there from time to time. We pull the plug and the water either drains away slower than it should, or it just sits there, refusing to drain.

Often this may simply require a good blast of boiling water from the kettle to melt away any fat deposits that could be preventing the water from draining, or a chemical from the shops to eat away at the cause of the blockage. However, sometimes no amount of hot water and chemicals will shift the water and this may be because of a severe blockage or a damaged or broken drain.

Usually this is an annoyance, that can prove costly to rectify, but a damaged or broken drain could be costly to your health as well as your wallet.

Sadly, many people tend to focus on the visible areas of their home, leaving what they cannot see, such as the plumbing or drainage to fend for themselves. This is until something goes wrong, and before they realise it, the damage is already too big for them to handle without calling in the professionals.

One of the biggest issues to look out for in your plumbing system is blocked drains. Blocked or damaged drains can have a severe impact on the health of you and your family. On top of the potential health implications, blocked or damaged drains can also ruin your properties structural integrity, making it inhabitable and maximises repair and maintenance costs.

Some causes of drain blockage include:

• Limescale mineral build-ups
• Food particles and grease
• Dirt and debris
• Wet wipes and other sanitary products
• Soap and washing powder deposits
• Tree root incursion

You should inspect your drainage or have a professional do it regularly to detect the issue before it gets out of hand. Below we will look at some effects of blocked drainage to your home and health.

Health Risks

Blocked drains can cause many negative effects on your health. The blockage facilitates bacteria growth which may trigger allergies and cause diseases. The blockage in the drain prevents water from flowing, and may therefore increase the risk of water backing up the pipework and flooding your property. This is bad enough with just clean water, but foul water is a serious health hazard. If water drains very slowly from your sinks, or not at all, it could remain stagnant. This water has bacteria in it, and the more you continue to use the sink, you are at risk of viruses and contamination.

The bacteria can diffuse in the water and even the air around your home, making the situation worse if you or one of your family members suffers from allergies. The contaminated water and air have irritable effects on individuals with skin problems such as eczema and those suffering from hay fever and asthma, not to mention the disgusting smell that goes with it too.

The contaminated water also becomes a threat to your health once it remains stagnant in the pipes. This is due to the growth of bacteria that thrive in stagnant water. The bacteria may cause legionnaires disease or others that may result in coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Legionnaire’s disease

The infection is caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophil. This bacteria grows and multiplies in moist areas like old air conditioners, untreated swimming pools and shower taps.

Other diseases from blocked drains

Peptic Ulcer Disease: studies regarding the contents of sewage systems and drains have shown that Helicobacter pylori is the most common bacteria found in these areas. The bacteria are responsible for causing peptic ulcer disease, a medical condition where ulcers or sores develop on the lining of the small intestine or stomach. Symptoms of the disease include dizziness, difficulty breathing, abdominal pains and blood in stools.

Typhoid: although children are more prone to being infected with typhoid than adults, it can still be a very dangerous disease for adults and children alike. Disease symptoms include headaches, skin rashes on the chest and stomach, constipation and sore throat. One of the main causes of contracting typhoid is inadequate sewage disposal.

Campylobacteriosis: the bacteria campylobacter causes this infectious disease. Symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps, fever and fatigue. The most common causes of contracting this disease are handling infected animal or human wastes and drinking contaminated water. The World Health Organisation (WHO) urges very strongly that households maintain efficient and effective plumbing systems to allow for proper disposal of sewage and the preservation of a clean water supply.

Unpleasant smells from blocked drains

Blocked drains stop the water from flowing, and it ends up accumulating in the pipes. With time, the stagnant water starts giving off unpleasant odours, making your home inhabitable. Once the debris and dirt get big enough, they will block water from getting into the pipes. The pipes dry out with time, meaning that there is no moisture to absorb the odours coming from food and other wastes. The foul smell is then released back into your home.

Clearly, bad smells are very unpleasant, but worse still, they can also cause headache and irritability, as well as spreading bacteria in the air.

Blocked drains attract mould and Vermin

Vermin such as rats, mice, flies and other insects thrive in moist areas. For example, mosquitoes survive in stagnant water and leaving blocked drains will create a fantastic environment for them to multiply. Mildew and mould grow much faster in moist areas such as walls and floorboards and the spores they release are potentially harmful to the respiratory system. Blocked drains can make your house damp due to water either flowing back into the property, or seeping out of cracked or damaged pipework into the ground near your home. The pests and mould carry health risks and could also damage your home structure if not dealt with quickly and professionally.

Slow Drainage

Slow drainage is the most obvious indication of a blocked drain. The water struggles to pass through the pipes; making drainage slower than it should be. The water may even start flowing back up the pipes, resulting in unpleasant smells, dampness and growth of mould and bacteria.

Blocked and damaged drains can weaken the structure of your property

Blocked drains compromise the plumbing system, and the damages are often much worse than you can see. Water is no longer channelled to the right places. Some of it remains stagnant while the rest finds its way through corners and cracks in your house. The water accumulates in those areas and weakens the property structure and foundation. If the issue is not addressed quickly, severe and irreparable damage could result.

Leaks from cracked or blocked drains

A few things contribute to leakage after a protracted time of drains being left blocked or damaged. The pipes will eventually be adversely affected by the built-up water pressure, causing them to burst. The other cause of leakage is weakened pipes, owing to their age and years of repeated wear and tear.

If you notice that some areas in your garden lawn appear greener and the grass is taller than in other parts, this could be an indication of leaking pipes underground. The water may also seep into the walls and floors, and this damages the entire foundation of your property. The results are mould growth, bacteria development and high costs of repair and replacement of the affected drains.

What you can do to prevent blocked drains

One of the easiest ways to avoid blocked drainage and the harmful effects to your home and health is by being careful about what you dispose of down your drains. Also, what goes into your toilet and bath can impact on your drains too. When washing your hair, clear any loose hair from the plughole, cleaning the worst food deposits from utensils and plates into a bin before washing up helps and soaking up oil with kitchen paper and disposing of it in the bin will prevent grease-based blockages too. Ensure that only water gets into the drain. Although you can do all this by yourself, you should employ experts once in a while for a professional and thorough flush and clean.

You never know, a routine professional clean may well identify root incursion and damage long before it becomes a real issue. The earlier issues such as these can be identified, the cheaper and quicker it will be to rectify.