The dreaded drain clog. It can begin with an almost imperceptible deceleration of water drainage in a kitchen or bathroom sink, or perhaps in the bathtub. Or, alternately, the first sign might be a lingering bad odor in the vicinity of a sink, tub, shower, or toilet. In more serious cases, the homeowner may discover that more than one sink, tub, or toilet, either in the same part of the home or across the household, are backing up simultaneously. And the worst-case scenario: sewage spilling over into the yard or home.

While in some cases the source of a blocked drain can be difficult to ascertain, in many instances the symptoms can be evaluated to get to the root of a problem. And because a seemingly simple clog can lead to a major sewer blockage—and, in turn, severe damage to the home—down the road, identifying and repairing clogs as soon as their symptoms arise is critical.

When only one appliance is backing up, the mostly likely cause is a simple clog in the pipes connected directly to that fixture. This being the case, a chemical drain unclogging solution designed to dissolve the most likely clogging culprits—hair in the bathroom and non-water-soluble fats in the kitchen—may provide a quick and easy cure to the problem.

Likewise, bad odors in the vicinity of bathroom and kitchen appliances can be symptomatic of bacteria-infused blockages near the fixture in question. Again, a drain unclogging product can be useful here, as can utilizing a bleach or vinegar solution to kill off odor-causing bacteria that occupy drains. In the case of smelly toilets, such odors can also result from gaps between the toilet and the wax ring seal that sit between the commode and the anchor flange. A more serious problem—and one that calls for professional intervention—at the root of many plumbing-related odors is a separated or deteriorated vent line, which can enable health-endangering sewer vapors to enter the home.

There are also a number of types of clogs that cannot be touched by chemical cleaners. When more than one appliance in one area of the household is blocked, for instance, the offending clog is likely to be in a vent line or branch drain. If the entire home is experiencing plumbing blockages, the clog may be in the main sewer drain. All of these types of clogs typically require the aid of a drain snake or pressure device. A full septic system can also cause these plumbing symptoms, and requires professional pumping to solve the issue in order to mitigate the possibility of flooding.

A final type of plumbing problem—and arguably the worst—involves sewage backing up into the household, often in massive amounts. This scenario is typically indicative of a major blockage in the city's sewer system, and should be reported to the appropriate city office as soon as possible.

Whether one is dealing with a minor clog or a massive one, fixing the problem can be—quite literally—a dirty job. Fortunately, for residents of Olathe, Kansas and surrounding areas, qualified Olathe Plumbers are just a phone call away!

Founded in 1980, Davenport Service Company has provided "Customer First" service in Johnson County, Kansas for over three decades. We provide 24/7 emergency service, preventive maintenance service, and seasonal tune-ups for commercial and residential heating and air conditioning systems. If you're looking for a furnace tune-up in Olathe, call 913-441-2222 for hassle-free scheduling today!