The warnings, in order
Drains rarely back up all at once. They warn you first. If you catch the warning, the fix is small. Ignore it and you're fishing for a plumber at midnight.
- •1. More than one drain is slow at the same time — that's a main-line issue, not a single clog.
- •2. Gurgling sounds when water runs — air's trapped behind a partial blockage.
- •3. A drain you've cleared keeps coming back slow within a few weeks.
- •4. Sewer or musty smell from a drain that's supposed to hold water in the trap.
- •5. Water backs up into a tub or floor drain when you run the washer.
Which one means now
Water backing up into a tub or floor drain is the one that means now — the main line is restricted and it's going to get worse, not better. Several slow drains at once is the same story. A single slow sink is usually a local clog and can wait a day.
Don't reach for the bottle
Liquid drain cleaners are the worst first move. They sit in the pipe eating at the clog — and the pipe — and when they don't clear it, you've now got a clog full of corrosive liquid a plumber has to deal with. Call instead.
Have a plumbing issue right now?
Call and leave a voicemail — Bob calls back during business hours. For the fastest reply (usually within the hour), email him directly.