You have drains in your kitchen and bathroom to thoroughly wash away any dirty water you've used to wash your hands, body, dishes, and more. When drains aren't functioning properly, it can make your home uncomfortable and sometimes unsanitary to live in. You can always call on your local plumbing company if your home shows signs of poor drainage, but you may not know what to look for. Keep reading to see a few signs that something is wrong with your drains.

Slow Drainage

When you're done taking your morning shower or washing dishes, it shouldn't take a long time for the water to drain away. If you've already turned off the water, several minutes have passed by, and you still have a filled-up tub or sink, you have drainage issues. According to House Digest, pouring hot water down your drains weekly can help prevent clogging and other issues. However, if the hot water method doesn't work or work as well as it used to, call a professional plumber to handle it. If you know you didn't accidentally put something down your drain, then there's likely a problem within the pipes or with your sewage systems that only a professional can handle.

Bad Smells

You've just cleaned your home, and you expect it to smell like Pine-Sol, bleach, or whatever other cleaning products you use. However, you're noticing an unpleasant aroma coming out of your drains, but you don't know why. A smelly drain can signal a buildup of food waste, bacteria, and other organic matter in the pipes. Your garbage disposal may be clogged, or your septic tank is full enough to where it can’t fit any more drainage waste. Either way, call in a professional to handle the problem.

Gurgling Sounds

When you flushed a toilet or let the water go down the sink, do you later hear strong gurgling sounds long after the fact? Those sounds are a signal that the water is struggling to get past a certain point in the pipes. The struggle is likely due to a pipe blockage or air being trapped inside. Whatever you do, don't try to use chemical cleaners to solve the problem. Call a local plumbing company instead.

Backups

Has water begun to inexplicably back up when it should be going down the drain? When water backs up, you likely have a sewer line issue, or your septic tank is usually too full to hold anything else. The problem won't fix itself, and the only way you can handle it is by calling your local plumbing company. Otherwise, you may end up having a major nasty flood on your hands from your toilets, showers, or sinks that could cause major water damage in your home.

Mold

If your pipes can no longer successfully drain water out of your home, the blockage may end up damaging the pipes and creating cracks, which could lead to leaks. When you have a leak in your piping, it can also show up by way of stains on your ceilings or walls. Any water damage in your home can lead to the presence of mold behind the walls, in the corners, or in other areas. Don't sleep in the presence of mold as it can cause major respiratory problems for you and anyone in your family. It only takes 24 to 72 hours for mold to sprout in a wet environment, according to Qipa. Even if you don't see all the mold right away, you may feel it by way of allergic reactions, finding it hard to breathe, or developing asthma.

Insects

Have you noticed more insects circling your drain often? Flying insects like flies will always be attracted to any food source, so if you have food clogs high up in your drain, don't be surprised if you see them hovering around. Plus, mosquitoes love standing water, so if your drains are causing pools of water, you may get an infestation if you’re not careful. According to the San Diego County Gov, mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs in broken or poorly sealed septic tanks. Be sure to have a professional solve the problem as soon as possible.

Healthy drains help you keep a healthy home. As water flows in and out of your home, you want to ensure it can do so quickly and efficiently. If you're experiencing any of the above signs with your drainage system, call Mars Plumbing & Heating, Inc for assistance.