Sluggish drains and sewer backups are often seen as minor plumbing annoyances you learn to live with as homeowners.
Until they suddenly turn into a big problem.
Water floods the shower. Gurgling toilets block completely. Wet drywall starts falling apart. And you finally reach for the phone to call a drain cleaning service.
But did you know that the biggest problem with a clogged drain isn't always the stuff you can easily see? It's what's been hiding behind your walls, under your floors, and inside your plumbing for weeks — sometimes even months.
This article will cover:
What slow drains really can do to your home
How hidden damage from a clogged drain can spread
Why waiting too long to unclog your drains is risky
Signs your drains need attention before they get worse
How often you should really clean your drains
Why Slow Drains Are Much Worse Than They Seem
If it drains slowly, most people won't act right away.
It doesn't seem urgent. Water still drains… eventually. And odds are most people will ignore the problem until it starts happening with every drain in their home.
Biggest mistake of all…
Slow drains are one of the leading causes of water backups and indoor flooding. Clogged drains stop water from running freely through your pipes. If there's too much water and not enough space in your drains to flush it away, that water needs to go somewhere.
Typically, it works its way into your cabinets, walls, floors, and furniture.
If you catch a clog early enough, you can call a drain cleaning service to clear it out before things get worse. The problem is that most homeowners don't call until it's too late and the water damage has already begun.
The Damage a Clogged Drain Can Cause Behind Closed Walls
Water damage is no joke.
When something blocks your drains and water starts pooling in places it shouldn't be, it will look for new places to go. That means behind walls, under floors, and into your furniture.
Here's some of the hidden damage that can happen when you let a drain clog go untreated.
Structural Water Damage
Once water pools under your floors and drywall, it won't just sit there quietly.
It seeps into grout, underneath tiles, soaks into wood subfloors, and starts destroying the very framework that keeps your house standing. Floors weaken, cabinets sag, and drywall surrounding plumbing deteriorates.
According to data compiled by HouseCashin.com, about 14,000 water damage incidents are reported every day across the United States alone. The average home insurance claim costs homeowners approximately $13,954 to repair. And most of those claims are caused by problems that started small and homeowners failed to address.
Like drains that were never cleaned out.
Mold and Mildew Growth
Need another reason to clean out your drains right away?
When drains are slow and water accumulates in hidden areas of your home (under sinks, inside walls, beneath floorboards), mold has every opportunity to grow undetected.
Eventually it'll make itself known. Mold spreads quickly throughout your home and can destroy building materials, personal belongings, and even cause health problems.
Even worse, it often goes unnoticed until it's too late. And getting rid of it will cost thousands of dollars in remediation.
Pipe Corrosion
Believe it or not, clogged drains corrode pipes from the inside out.
Eventually, sediment from standing water builds up and creates pressure on pipe walls. Joints can weaken, cracks form, leaks develop deep inside your walls. Pipes may even burst at some points.
When drains are slow, everything downstream has problems.
Foundation Settling & Cracks
Here's a waterproofing problem most homeowners don't expect…
The drains on the outside of their house cause water damage to their foundation.
It happens when downspouts, floor drains, and other exterior drainage pipes become clogged and pool against your home's foundation. Instead of pulling water away from your home, drains carry it right towards the foundation.
Rainwater, melting snow, and standing drains eventually shift soil, make their way into concrete, and create countless plumbing disasters.
Damage caused by water and freezing accounted for 22.6% of home insurance claims throughout the U.S. between 2019 and 2023. Much of that can be traced back to clogged pipes and drains.
Not water coming straight from a storm.
How Long Does It Take for Drain Damage to Occur?
It happens way faster than most people think.
A simple clogged drain can unleash a horror show of water damage if left unchecked. Here's what to expect.
Within minutes: Water begins soaking into flooring and carpet.
Within hours: Humidity increases. Wooden fixtures begin softening and swelling.
Within 2 days: Standing water becomes toxic. Cleanup is unsafe without protective gear.
Within several days: Mold starts growing. Floors warp. Drywall softens.
Within one month: Porous materials (carpet, hardwood floors, drywall) will likely need replacing.
Your home's drains aren't just connected to your sinks. They're connected to pipes that line the walls and floors of your entire home.
Slow drains lead to pressure buildup throughout your system. That pressure can cause major damage real fast.
Signs Your Drains Need to Be Cleaned Soon
Most drain clogs can be avoided if you know what to look for.
Slow drains are often the first sign. If your water is taking a long time to go down, don't wait for the problem to get worse. Call a drain cleaning service right away.
Pay attention if any of these apply to your home:
Drains are noticeably slower than normal
You hear gurgling when you flush toilets or water runs
Water pools around your shower/tub drain after bathing
You smell a persistent foul odor coming from inside your cabinets
Multiple drains begin slow-draining at the same time
Water stains are appearing on ceilings or walls near plumbing pipes
If your drains are backing up, or you see any signs of water damage in your home, call a drain cleaning service immediately.
Don't wait for the problem to fix itself. It won't.
You might also void your homeowner's insurance coverage if you knowingly let plumbing damage get worse. Which means your water bill will come directly out of your pocket.
When Should You Call a Drain Cleaning Service?
As soon as you suspect there's a problem.
Don't wait until water backs up and starts overflowing onto your floors. If your drains are slow, calling for drain cleaning service should be at the top of your to-do list.
They can often clear drains from the outside and prevent buildup from happening again with an interior cleaning. It doesn't hurt to get your drains inspected at least once a year either.
And if you're worried about the cost, consider this: Most homeowner's insurance plans won't payout on water damage claims where "reasonable precautions" were ignored. A clogged drain that floods your home is much easier to prevent than it is to clean up.
Conclusion
By the time your drains clog completely, it's too late.
Toilet water overflows into your bathroom. Laundry backs up in your sink. Kitchen sewage pours out of your shower drain. And now you have water damage that needs professional restoration.
Sure, you could call a drain cleaning service now. But they'll have to fix your drains AND clean up the damage you could have prevented.
Water rushes through your drains when they're unclogged. Letting yours stay clogged only slows everything else down.
And water has a way of finding the path of least resistance. It will run through your pipes when it can. But if your drains are slow, it will seep into your cabinets, saturate your flooring, and flood your walls instead.
Slow drains aren't normal. And they never go away on their own. Call a drain cleaning service today.
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