You may be brushing your teeth or in the shower when you hear noises and see black gunk coming up from your drain stopper. Gross, right? But what is it? Does it mean that something is wrong with your plumbing? This black stuff is very common and is easy to get rid of, especially with the help of a professional plumber like one from Chesterfield Service. In this blog, we’ll discuss what it means when black stuff comes out of your drains and what you can do about it.
What Is It?
The black stuff that comes out of your drains is most likely a mixture of hair, soap scum, body oils, and other organic matter that has accumulated in your pipes over time. This mixture is commonly known as “black sludge” or “biofilm.” When you run water down the drain, the sludge is dislodged and makes its way out of the drain. Occasionally this organic material builds up in your sink’s trap and comes up. This is a sign that you have clogged drains.
A good first step is to remove the drain stopper and see if that is also covered with black gunk. It’s a good idea to clean off the gunk from the stopper. Chances are your sink drain has been backed up with gunk in the past, but the stopper has prevented you from seeing it. Seeing some black gunk coming up might be that it broke away from being stuck to the stopper. However, once you have the stopper removed, get a plunger and plunge the sink drain to remove any more black gunk.
Put Down the Chemicals
If plunging the drain hasn’t worked, you might be tempted to reach for a bottle of chemical drain cleaner. However, this product often makes matters worse. Draino and other chemical drain cleaners not only work to dissolve clogs, but they can also dissolve your pipes, damaging them permanently. We also get many calls from Chesterfield, MO residents who tried home remedies that also made problems worse. Baking soda and vinegar may be recommended by people on the internet, but those people usually aren’t professional plumbers.
If you want to get rid of the black stuff for good, it’s best to call a plumber. Not only will a professional plumber save you time, but they can also save you money so you aren’t wasting money on remedies that don’t work. Plumbers can use a drain snake to effectively and efficiently remove drain clogs and get the water flowing again.
Is Black Stuff Coming Out of Your Drains a Cause for Concern?
If one drain is clogged, it’s usually an isolated incident. This is probably the most commonly used sink or shower drain in your home. However, multiple clogged drains or black gunk accompanied by a foul odor is often a sign of a bigger issue. This is often a sign there is a clog further down your drain lines and only a plumber can best assess what to do with the clog.
This could be an issue with your vent pipes or sewer system. If your home is older, or you have a large tree in your front yard, it’s a smart idea to have a sewer system inspection done regularly to prevent your sewer line from rupturing.
How To Prevent Black Gunk From Coming Back Up Your Drains
The best way to prevent black sludge from building up in your drains is to practice good plumbing habits. This includes using a drain strainer to catch hair and other debris, and avoiding pouring grease or oil down the drain.
Additionally, it’s important to schedule regular plumbing maintenance with Chesterfield Service on a regular basis to ensure that your pipes are in good condition and to catch any potential issues before they become major problems. Chesterfield Service can help keep all the systems in your home working great with our Easy Maintenance Club. Certain levels of the Easy Maintenance club not only include HVAC inspections but plumbing and electrical inspections as well. Call Chesterfield Service to keep your home in tip-top shape.