There are few things more annoying than having a clogged drain in your sink or tub. It slows down your whole day, especially if you have to wait for it to finish before you leave. Did you know that, according to Home Reference, if you live in a residence, your water pressure should be roughly 50 PSI? This is just one of the many issues caused by clogs in your drains and plumbing. Here are six other signs that you need to have your drain looked at.

1. Slow Draining

This is usually the first sign of a clogged drain. You might run the water for a few seconds to brush your teeth and the sink gets full fast, and then you have to wait longer for it to drain. There might be times when it doesn't even seem to be draining at all, but the slow lowering of the water over time shows that it's happening. You should have a professional come take a look at what's going on.

2. Unpleasant Odors

Your sink or tub shouldn't give off any odors. If you notice that something bad is coming out of the drain hole, then that means something's in there and it could be rotting. So, if there's something that makes you feel like plugging your nose when you walk into the room, you should have a plumber come take a look. Otherwise, it could get a lot worse.

3. Standing Water

This is a surefire sign of a drain that's clogged. If the water you run in your tub or sink just sits there, and it's not slowly lowering, then things are really backed up. You don't want the water to be there for very long, so you need to enlist the help of a professional to get it draining as normal. Otherwise, you'll get that brackish smell that standing water can give off.

4. Pests in the Pipe

Pests like mice and rats like to use all different parts of your home to get around. If you notice a mouse or rat in your sink, they could go through a cracked pipe. Have a plumber come take a look and seal up any pipes. That could take care of both the drain and the pests.

5. High Water Bills

Have your water bills gone up? There could be either a leak or a drain that is affecting the amount of water that you're using. Keep an eye on your bill and if you notice a big spike, then you need to have things looked at by a plumbing professional. They will be able to get things back to normal for you and save you money in the process.

6. Gurgling Water

When your drain is emptying, it should be a fairly smooth process. If you happen to see bubbles or hear gurgling when it's doing its job, then something could be in the pipes that's disrupting things. While things might seem to be moving along decently at the moment, that could change pretty quickly. It could back up rather quickly, and then you could wind up with one of the above signs.

The best thing to do is to bring in someone early on if you happen to notice that the sink is getting mildly filled up. That way, you can nip bigger problems in the bud. Waiting and hoping that things get better won't work. On the rare occasion that it does, the problem usually returns with a vengeance, and you could wind up paying a lot more than you would have if you'd had it looked at earlier. Then your bank account will be the one having things drained from it.

If you see any of these signs, then the best thing to do is contact a professional. Otherwise, the clog could result in a burst pipe, which will cost you even more money than if you just call in a plumber in the first place. That money you save can be used for other things. That will make your being proactive worth it. Are you looking for a plumber to help you with your clogged drain? We can take care of your situation, along with other issues, like water heaters or septic pumps. Contact Ultimate Plumbing, Heating & AC LLC today to learn more.