You don’t think too much about the day-to-day inner workings of your home’s plumbing system.

But when the toilet begins to overflow and you’re left with a flooded bathroom, you’ll wish you would have seen the warning signs.

Even if you’re familiar with a slow-flowing drain, it’s time to start recognizing the signs that you need drain cleaning. When you do decide to take action, beware of the methods you’re using. Many chemicals and drain cleaners can do harm to you and your home if you pour them down the drain.

Here are 5 signs you need your drains cleaned:

1. Slow drains

Your drain isn’t functioning slower than normal for no reason. While there are a variety of things to blame for a slow-flowing drain, common culprits include objects or substances clogging it up. Hair, grease, soap and other foreign objects can often create clogs that build up over time, making your drains slow. Don’t assume it’ll get better — it’s best to get your drains cleaned immediately.

2. Mysterious odors

It’s not you, it’s your drains. When you start smelling unpleasant odors stemming from plumbing fixtures inside your home, they’re likely the result of a plumbing issue. Those smells could be sewer gases or waste sitting in your drains and should be dealt with right away.

3. Frequent clogs

Don’t just assume it’s a coincidence when you repeatedly have to unclog the toilet or shower drain. When you experience frequent clogs, you’re well on your way to experiencing a potentially major clog inside your home. And if you’re efforts aren’t enough, it’s best to let the professionals tackle the issue.

4. Gurgling sounds

What is that? Strange noises don’t always faze you, but a gurgling noise coming from the toilet or a drain should be a signal for you to take action. The noise often stems from an issue with air in your drain.

5. Multiple clogged drains

When multiple fixtures are clogged inside your home, you’ve got real issues. Multiple clogged drains is often a sign of a bigger problem, such as a main sewer clog. Be sure to get ahold of the plumbing experts immediately.

If you’re a victim of a clog or you’re in need of drain cleaning, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can help. Our punctual plumbers are experts in their fields, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you with your plumbing needs. Give us a call today to learn more or to schedule a service.