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What Are the Health Risks of Blocked Drains?

Blocked Drains

Blocked drains can cause a whole host of problems for homeowners including slow water, flooding and even a backup of sewage. There are all sorts of reasons why a drain may become clogged, with the most common being a build-up of food, hair or limescale in the pipes.

Whatever the reason for your blocked drains, it is important to address the issue as soon as possible – if you don’t then you run the risk of suffering from a variety of health conditions. 

Here at 1st Call Drain Clearance & Technical Services, we’ve put together a guide outlining all the health implications that blocked drains can bring.  

Blocked drains can bring foul smells 

One main symptom of blocked drains is the foul smell that often accompanies them. As well as being generally unpleasant, nasty odours can also lead to health issues. 

Sometimes, a bad smell could indicate that nasty chemicals and gases are being released into your home which can bring a variety of concerns. But, more often than not, a bad smell will not have long-term health implications.

However, these foul smells can cause headaches, fatigue, irritability and stress-induced anxiety-which will only get worse the longer a blocked drain is left untreated.  

Stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria 

When a drain becomes blocked or clogged it can lead to stagnant water forming- which is a breeding ground for all kinds of hazardous bacteria. If these pathogens, which come from raw sewage, are ingested then you’re likely to be hit with illness. Some of the harmful conditions that you may experience if your water becomes infected include:

  • E-coli
  • Salmonella 
  • Cholera
  • Shigella
  • Campylobacter
  • Intestinal amoebas

Common symptoms of these conditions include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever and vomiting.

Blocked drains can release harmful gases 

If the worst has happened, and blocked drains have caused sewage to back up in your property, then harmful gases might be released into your home. These include:

  • Carbon monoxide 
  • Methane
  • Chlorine
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Hydrogen Sulfide 
  • Sulfur dioxide

These gases can do a wide range of damage to your health and you could experience sickness and disorientation. If methane or hydrogen sulfide have leaked into your home it can even be fatal, so if you suspect any form of gas leak, it’s vital you report it as soon as possible.    

In the most extreme cases, these harmful gases can lead to explosions as they get confined to small spaces within the pipework due to the blockage. If it then becomes exposed to a naked flame, an explosion can occur. 

What you need to do if you have a blocked drain

Blocked drains are also known to exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as asthma, so it’s important to seek drainage solutions if you’re suffering from blockages. At 1st Call Drain Clearance & Technical Services, our team are experts in drainage solutions and are experienced in a number of unblocking services. Our quality offering spans across London helping domestic and commercial properties with a whole host of issues. 

We can also provide you with CCTV surveys which can help identify what’s causing your drain to block, and how it can be resolved. For more information, get in touch with 1st Call Drain Clearance & Technical Services today.

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