Experiencing water coming up through your bath plughole can be alarming, especially if you’ve already been dealing with slow-draining water for a while and fear a larger blockage. While some household remedies like baking soda and plungers can get your water system running smoothly again, there might be instances where professional intervention is necessary. So when is a blocked bath plughole serious, and when do you need a plumber to intervene? Let’s take a closer look.
Firstly, if you notice water coming through your bath plughole, it’s important to try and determine why the blockage is occurring. The most common culprits include:
It’s important to note that while water coming up through the bath plughole can be worrying, it may not always require the intervention of a professional plumber - in fact, keeping your plughole clear with regular maintenance is the best way to prevent buildup and water pooling back up. But when it does occur, here’s how to stop it:
As always, prevention is the best cure: regularly clean the plughole to prevent hair and soap buildup, and use a drain guard to trap hair and other larger, block-causing materials.
A plunger can often dislodge minor blockages effectively: to do this, take the plunger and cover the blocked plughole. With moderate pressure, plunge repeatedly and release, and try draining water. For minor blockages, this should clear right up and your bath should drain as normal again.
In some cases, you can use an enzyme-based chemical cleaner specifically designed for baths; these cleaners can break down blockages within your plumbing system, but it’s best to use them sparingly to avoid pipe damage. For a more natural solution, you can use baking soda and vinegar to help dissolve minor blockages naturally.
While DIY solutions can be effective, certain situations require professional intervention:
If the problem persists after trying home remedies, it might be a deeper issue within your plumbing system: a damaged pipe, a blockage further down, or even a faulty or leaking pipe could cause problems.
If the water coming up through your bath plughole appears dirty or has a pungent smell, this could indicate a problem with your sewer line. This requires immediate professional intervention from a plumber, as sewer water is highly hazardous for your health.
Frequent backups might indicate a more significant plumbing problem, even if you manage to get your water running smoothly again as usual. If water keeps coming up regularly, it’s a good idea to call in a professional plumber.
If you suspect pipe corrosion or damage, professional assessment is absolutely necessary; common signs of pipe damage include noisy pipes, groaning pipes, and slow-draining water in other areas of your home.
Finally, signs of water damage around the bath area need immediate attention: the blockage in your pipes may have caused a perforation somewhere in your plumbing system, meaning water could be leaking through the floorboards and slowly damaging your floors and lower ceilings. If this is the case, a professional plumber - perhaps even an emergency plumber - is your best bet.
Ultimately, water coming up through your bath plughole isn’t something you want to ignore, no matter how minor it might seem. So if you try numerous DIY methods and nothing works, it’s a good idea to arrange a professional intervention. And don’t forget that regular cleaning and the occasional use of plungers or natural solutions like baking soda can keep the water flowing smoothly all year round, so you don’t have to deal with costly, ongoing blockages.
And don’t forget to call in professional help when needed; at FS Drainage, we specialise in all forms of emergency plumbing, whether it be a blocked drain in East London or a broken pipe in the capital. So if you’re having problems - no matter how trivial - don’t hesitate to give us a call - we’ll be happy to get your plumbing up and running again in no time.
