Can a blocked drain cause leaks?

Understanding the link between blocked drains and leaks

A blocked drain can escalate pressure within your plumbing, straining pipes, seals, and joints. This pressure may eventually cause cracks, leaks, or burst pipes.

Resulting leaks can seep into walls, floors, and ceilings, causing significant water damage.

There are a few common ways a blocked drain can lead to leaks:

• Backed up water from a clogged drain cause leak around loose joint fittings or cracks in pipes
• Increased pressure could cause water to pass through bursts in pipes or dislodge seals
• Standing water from blockages that a congested drain can cause may lead to softened drywall and flooring, allowing water to seep through

Ignoring blockages can worsen damage over time, with persistent clogs increasingly likely to cause leaks and pipe bursts.

A blocked drain should be addressed by a licensed plumber as soon as possible to safeguard your plumbing systems and reduce damage.

Common causes of drain blockages leading to leaks

Common causes of blocked drains in homes can include:

• Accumulation of debris - Hair, grease, food scraps, and other materials accumulating inside pipes can create obstructions which causes water backup and leaks. This leads to water pressure backing up into the system that can cause leaks.
• Tree root intrusion - Tree roots expanding into your pipes can disrupt the essential balance of water and air crucial for your systems. The roots can totally block the pipe, but taking measures to take care of this promptly can prevent leaks from the pressure.
• Corrosion can degrade drain pipes from the inside over time, causing leaks. This corrosion causes cracks and holes that result in leaks.
• Foreign objects - It’s surprising what gets flushed down toilets and drains that can get stuck and cause clogs and leaks. Things like toys, wipes, feminine hygiene products, and more.

Any drain blockage left untreated allows water pressure to build in your sewer, which exerts excess force on pipes and makes it vital to get rid of the blockage quickly. That’s exactly why we recommend having clogs cleared promptly to maintain proper function. This explains why we recommend a professional plumber to diagnose the precise cause and location of the blockage and remedy it before major leaks occur.

Unaddressed blockages eventually lead to leaks.

Tree roots

Tree roots commonly cause blocked drains and subsequent leaks in homes. As trees grow near pipes, the roots seek out water sources and find their way into even the smallest cracks and gaps in the drainage system.

Over time, small root intrusions turn into large masses of roots that interrupt the flow water, resulting in water backing up. This root mass, once waterlogged, can move and create a solid obstruction. Drains get fully blocked and the obstructed pipes water backs up, causing leaks through loose fittings and joint connections.

The large mass of roots filling a pipe exerts extra pressure on the walls of water pipes, which can lead to leak issues in your plumbing. This can cause any weakened water pipe to crack and leak over time. Tree root removal and pipe replacement can also be effective ways to fully solve the issue.

To minimise root intrusion, it’s advised not to plant trees within 50 feet of drainage your property’s infrastructure. If you suspect root growth in your drainage lines, have them video inspected. However, removal may need to be paired with pipe lining or replacement.

The intrusive roots clogging pipes can often be cleared through hydrojetting.

Pipe corrosion

Over time, the insides of drain pipes corrode, which can damage your plumbing from exposure to water, waste materials, and gases. Such pipes, when corroded, can develop pits, cracks, holes, and weak spots along their structure.

When a corroded pipe gets blocked, the excessive water pressure pushes out through the weakened areas of the pipe. This leads to water leaking from holes and cracks along the pipe.

Even small leaks, given that they originate from tiny holes, can mature into large-scale problems over time. Neglected pipe corrosion can result in the need for pipe inspections, drain cleaning, pipe patching, or full pipe replacements if necessary.

Using drain cleaners regularly, as we discuss how they work, can maintain a smooth water flow and prevent buildup inside pipes that cause corrosion. Consider pipe relining instead of complete replacement as a cost-effective solution for corrosion issues.

Health hazards from blocked drain leaks

Leaky clogged drains risk contaminating water and creating health hazards, as stagnant water facilitates the growth of harmful bacteria like Legionella. Legionella is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, which can be fatal.

Other health risks include:

• Leaks of raw sewage into your home expose your family to dangerous pathogens, including faecal bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
• Mould can grow in moist areas caused by leaks within just 48 hours, releasing spores that trigger respiratory problems.
• Standing water from leaks turns into a breeding ground, drawing in these pests like mosquitoes, cockroaches, and rodents, all of which carry diseases.

Infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk from health issues caused by leaking pipes. That’s why it’s so important to clear all drain blockages as soon as they occur. Blockages left unattended allow leaks to grow until they create major property damage and health issues.

Structural damage from blocked drain leaks

Left unchecked, leaks from blocked drains can cause severe damage, as outlined in our guide, to the structural integrity of a home. Leaks within walls lead to wood rot, concrete and mortar degradation, and corrosion of metal pipes and hardware.

Some specific types of structural damage include:

• Weakened foundations - Continuous moisture seeping into the foundation cracks concrete, destabilises ground soil through erosion, and damages the walls floors structure of your abode.
• Warped or collapsed walls and ceilings - As leaked water penetrates and soaks drywall and wood studs, it causes swelling and warping that leads to eventual collapse.
• Tile, vinyl, and wood floors can soften and deteriorate when waterlogged from leaks.
• Destabilised building materials - Wet and rotting wood studs, sills, headers and joists lose their structural integrity.
• Corroded pipes and hardware - Moisture corrodes surrounding plumbing, weakening critical components like drain pipes, sewer lines and sewer vents.

Continued leaks from blocked drains exacerbate saturation and deterioration, undermining the structure’s stability. It’s time to call professional help if you’re facing leaks or drainage issues to avert severe property damage.

Detecting signs of a drain blockage and leak

There are several warning signs to look out for to detect a drain blockage and leak in your home:

1. Slow or blocked drainage - Sinks and your shower drain may experience slow drainage or halt completely, which could indicate a clogged drain can cause a leak. Toilets in your house may need multiple flushes to clear the bowl due to drainage issues.
2. Gurgling sounds - You hear bubbling or gurgling noises coming from drain pipes when water drains.
3. Unpleasant odours - Sewage smells emanating from drains often indicate a blockage.
4. Visible water damage - Conduct a thorough inspection of your walls, floors and ceilings to check leaks advertised by water spots.
5. Low water pressure - Reduced water flow from faucets can happen if drain lines are obstructed.
6. Higher water bills - Perform a check for leaks by monitoring your water meter for usage spikes that may signal problems underground.

If you notice these signs and suspect leaks, have your drains inspected using a video camera to identify blockages. A professional plumber can then clear any clogs and repair affected pipes and seals before leaks worsen or mould develops.

When to call a professional plumber

In the case of major clogs, leaks, burst pipes, sewer issues, or potential health risks, promptly calling a professional plumber is essential. Our skilled plumbers at Petersham Plumbing are adept at handling such plumbing emergencies daily. Dont hesitate to call us at 1300 349 338 if you experience any of the following:

• Major drains blocked persisting after earnest attempts at the DIY route for drain cleaning
• Significant leaks impacting appliances such as your hot water heater, causing flooding or water damage
• Backed up sewer lines resulting in sewage overflow
• Suspected root intrusion or pipe corrosion requiring repair
• Toxic mould growth from chronic moisture issues
• Noticeable structural damage from leaks/flooding

Our licensed plumbers can oversee the required plumbing repairs to address issues and prevent contamination. Were available 24/7 to address emergencies and prevent escalation into more costly, dangerous scenarios. Email jobs@petershamplumbingservices.com.au or call 1300 349 338 if you observe signs of major plumbing problems.

How a plumber addresses leaks from blocked drains

When a blocked drain starts leaking, a professional plumber has the expertise to accurately diagnose the issue and implement repairs to your plumbing. At Petersham Plumbing, we use high-tech equipment and proven techniques to address leaks from blocked drains.

In most cases, we start by using a sewer camera to video inspect the drain line and pinpoint the exact location of blockages. High-pressure water jetting is then used to swiftly clear a clog and ensure free-flowing drainage. Mechanical drain cleaners may also be employed to break up stubborn obstructions that clogged drains can cause.

Once the drain is clear, we check for pipe leaks and damage using leak detection technology. Any cracks, holes or leak your plumbing system has like separated joints are patched and sealed. Sections of corroded piping may need patching or sealing with epoxy resin to prevent further leakage.

For extensive pipe damage or root intrusion issues, we may recommend trenchless pipe lining. This coats the inside of pipes with an epoxy barrier that seals leaks and reinforces structural stability. In dire cases, full pipe replacement is necessary.

At Petersham Plumbing, we have an arsenal of state-of-the-art tools and decades of experience addressing tricky leaks from blocked drains. Don’t hesitate to call us at 1300 349 338 if you notice signs of drain clogs, leaks or water damage in your home.

Preventing blocked drains and leaks

Regular drain maintenance and proper waste disposal are key to preventing blockages and associated leaks. Here are some tips:

• Use drain strainers in your sink and tubs to catch hair and debris before entering pipes
• Instead of the sink, pour grease and dispose of food items into a heat-safe container
• Only flush toilet paper and human waste down toilets
• Use a slow-acting drain cleaner such as baking soda mixture monthly to keep pipes clear
• Trim back vegetation and trees around the drainage your home relies upon
• Have a professional plumber inspect the drains your home relies upon every 2 years or if you experience any sluggish drains

Routinely checking plumbing fixtures for leaks, monitoring water usage on bills, and listening for running water behind walls assists in early leak detection. Catching problems quickly prevents costly damages down the road.

Implementing preventative drain care, making repairs at the first sign of blockages, and having regular professional drainage inspections keeps plumbing safe, functional and leak-free for years to come.