When you have a sink or tub that has a clogged drain, you likely look at it as only an annoyance and inconvenience. However, there is a good chance that your clogged drain is actually damaging your home in ways you never imagined. Should you leave the problem unchecked and hope it disappears on its own, the problems you experience will only get worse. If you’re concerned about the many ways a clogged drain can damage your home, here are four that are rarely considered by most homeowners.
Plumbing Leaks
When a drain is clogged, you assume the water is going nowhere. However, that’s not true. In reality, a clogged drain causes the water to flow backwards, often resulting in plumbing leaks around seals and caulking. Should these leaks not be noticed right away, they can do structural damage to your home and also lead to mold growth.
Water Contamination
Yes, a clogged drain can lead to a greater risk of your home’s water becoming contaminated. This is due to the water having to pass through the waste causing the clog, as well as bacteria that has formed inside the pipes. Rather than have this occur, it is also best to call on plumbing professionals to perform a comprehensive drain cleaning of your system. In doing so, they can get the drain unclogged quickly and help ensure it does not happen again. This is much better than pouring drain cleaner down your drain, since the harsh chemicals in these products can be harmful to your home’s pipes.
Breeding Ground for Pests
When a drain is clogged and full of dirty water, waste, and bacteria, this is the perfect breeding ground for various types of pests, including cockroaches, drain flies, and fruit flies. Should this happen, you will not only still have the clogged drain problem, but also have a pest control issue that will need to be addressed.
Foundation Damage
Last but certainly not least on this list, a clogged drain can in worst-case scenarios damage your home’s foundation. Since the water as you know is flowing backwards when a drain is clogged, it can seep into small cracks or holes within your home’s foundation, leading to parts of it that become weakened and structurally unsound.
If you have a clogged drain that you believe you can fix yourself, by all means do so as quickly as possible. Otherwise, call on plumbing experts who can get the job done right the first time, saving you time and money.