5 Signs Your Drain Needs Professional Cleaning (Before It’s Too Late)
It always starts small.
Maybe the kitchen sink is a little slow to drain after dinner. Or the shower builds up water around your feet, even though you just cleared out the hair. You think, "It's nothing—a little soap scum or food debris. I’ll deal with it later."
Until “later” becomes an emergency.
At Buffington’s Plumbing, we’ve seen it time and time again: a simple slow drain that turns into a major sewer backup or a burst pipe hidden behind a wall. That’s why we’re sharing the top 5 signs your drain may need professional attention—and when to stop waiting and call a plumber for expert drain cleaning in Brooks, GA.
1. Water Drains Slowly
This is the most common and often ignored early warning sign.
If water is draining slower than usual—whether in your sink, tub, or shower—it could mean
a partial clog has formed deeper in your pipes.
While store-bought chemicals might offer temporary relief, they rarely clear the real issue. In fact, they can
weaken older pipes or damage seals.
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What to do:
If multiple drains are running slowly or it's getting worse over time, it’s time to call in a professional for safe, thorough cleaning.
2. Gurgling Sounds in Pipes
Hearing strange glug-glug noises when water drains or the toilet flushes? That’s not your house settling—it’s your plumbing calling for help.
These gurgling sounds often come from
air trapped in the pipes because of a blockage somewhere in the line. It could be food, grease, soap, hair, or even roots.
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Why it matters:
Ignoring it can lead to
loss of pressure or full blockages that back up waste water into your home.
3. Standing Water or Water Backing Up
This one’s hard to ignore—and should never be brushed off.
If water backs up into your
sink, tub, or floor drain, it means something is blocking the system completely or nearly so.
Backups are more than an inconvenience—they're a health hazard and a signal that your plumbing needs immediate attention.
✅ Don’t wait. This is a clear sign to call a plumber for slow drains or full drain cleaning service.
4. Bad Odors Coming from Drains
That musty, sewer-like smell? It’s not your imagination.
Persistent odors often come from
bacteria buildup, trapped food, grease, or even a
clog deep in the main line.
✅ A clean, properly vented and flowing drain should never smell foul.
If the stink lingers even after cleaning the visible surface or trap, it’s time for a deeper inspection—and likely professional drain cleaning.
5. Recurring Clogs in the Same Spot
Do you keep clearing the same drain over and over again? That’s not normal.
Recurring clogs often mean there’s a partial blockage further down the line—or a bigger issue like root intrusion or broken piping.
DIY fixes like plungers or snakes can’t always reach or resolve the problem.
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When to call a plumber:
If you’ve had to unclog the same drain more than twice in a short period, it’s time to stop patching the symptom and solve the root cause.
When Should You Call a Plumber for Slow Drains?
The moment your drain goes from “a little slow” to “that’s weird,” your plumbing is sending a signal.
And while it’s tempting to reach for the chemical drain cleaner or give it a week to see if it clears up… waiting often leads to
bigger problems, bigger messes, and bigger bills.
At Buffington’s Plumbing, we offer safe, effective, and affordable drain cleaning in Brooks, GA—including camera inspections to locate the clog, and hydro jetting to fully clear it without damaging your pipes.
We serve Brooks and surrounding areas including Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Griffin, Zebulon, and Coweta County.
📞 Don’t Wait Until It’s an Emergency
Call
(678) 939-0187 or request service online to schedule your drain cleaning today.
Let’s keep your pipes clean, clear, and clog-free—for good.
