The Best Tips for Old Plumbing Maintenance

Pay Attention To Plumbing Noises

The problem: If you hear a glugging noise, Cannizzaro says “the drain system is starving for air to regulate the pressures and it’s not able to get it, so it’s pulling air.” This could be a blockage elsewhere in the system, like a beehive in the vent pipe that goes through the roof. But if water isn’t going down the floor drain, it’s sewer related.

The solution: “The only time that it does get better on its own is if it’s not an issue with your home,” Cannizzaro says. If something’s going on with the city sewer, once the issue is corrected, your home should be fine. However, don’t wait to investigate!

To determine if it’s a city problem, Cannizzaro suggests asking your neighbor if they’ve having issues with the floor drain. “You [can also] call the water works or the sewage department and ask them to come out and check the city sewer,” she says.

If it’s not city related, a plumber can troubleshoot the issue.