The pipes in your home aren’t immune to clogs and other problems. When multiple drains become clogged at the same time or you hear gurgling from toilets, it could indicate a problem with your sewer line.
Minor issues can be resolved with a plunger or a drain snake, but more severe damage may require hydro-jetting or a complete replacement of the line. Learn how to recognize warning signs so you can call a plumber right away.
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are perhaps the most common sign of sewer line problems. Waste water from your home or even your garbage disposal flows into the main sewer line, but sometimes it can get backed up and clog your sinks, tubs, and toilets. This happens when something gets trapped in the drain, like hair, soap scum, food scraps, or grease.
Fortunately, most drain clogs are easy to solve with a little time and elbow grease. If you can’t fix it yourself, a plumber is your next best bet.
First, try using a plunger on the affected drain. The key is to make a tight seal and use quick plunging motions. Be sure to remove the plunger every few minutes to see if it clears the blockage and allows the water to drain again.
For more stubborn clogs, try using a drain snake. These devices are made of wire or plastic and are long, thin, and pliable, so they can fit into small spaces. Push the snake into the drain until you feel resistance, then twist it to entangle its head with whatever is blocking the pipe. Pull the snake back up, dispose of the clog, and see if your sink or bathtub drains work as normal again.
If these methods don’t work, you may have a more serious problem in your sewer line. If the same drain clogs up repeatedly, or if multiple clogged drains appear simultaneously, it’s time to call plumber independence service for professional help.
Sewer line clogs often cause sewage backups, which can be messy and dangerous for your family. If you notice sewage backing up into your kitchen, bathroom, or basement, call for emergency sewer service right away to prevent the situation from getting worse.
Other signs of a sewer line issue include gurgling noises from the toilet, an increase in your water bill without any changes in water usage, and specific patches of grass in your yard that are greener than others. If these warning signs seem to be popping up frequently in your home, it’s time to call a professional plumber for hydro-jetting services or a sewer camera inspection.
Sewage Backups
Sewage backups are a major issue that can pose serious health and safety risks. They introduce harmful bacteria, viruses, and contaminants into living spaces and may cause extensive property damage. Proper handling of sewage backups helps mitigate these risks and can minimize cleanup costs.
If you discover that your home has a sewage backup, evacuate the affected area and take precautions to protect yourself and your family. Use protective gear like face masks and eye protection, and avoid contact with contaminated surfaces. It is also important to turn off electricity in the affected areas, as this can lead to electrocution.
You should also check to ensure that the sewage line cleanout is accessible. This is typically located outside the home near your septic tank or main sewer line. You can access this by turning off the valve that controls your septic system, then using a garden hose to drain water out of the cleanout. You should also shut off the water valve in your house, as this will prevent additional wastewater from entering your home while you address the problem.
A variety of issues can lead to a sewer line back up, including clogged drains and sewer line blockages. You can reduce your risk of these issues by scheduling regular inspections by a professional plumber, using drain stoppers to keep large objects from entering your pipes, and regularly cleaning your kitchen and bath drains.
Sewer line backups can also be caused by tree roots, broken or collapsed pipes, misaligned lines, and bellied pipe sections that have sunk into the ground. The best way to minimize the severity of a sewer backup is to recognize the early warning signs, such as slow drains, foul odors, and backed-up toilets.
In addition to these preventive measures, you should consider installing a backwater prevention valve, which helps to direct waste away from your home and reduce the risk of a sewer backup. It is also important to review your homeowners insurance policy to understand the extent of coverage related to sewer backups and flooding. You might want to consider purchasing higher limits or adding flood insurance as an add-on to your policy.
Clogged Toilets
When a toilet is completely clogged, it can lead to sewage back-ups in the home. This is an urgent issue that requires professional help and a thorough sewer line inspection to diagnose the problem. Sewage backups can lead to serious mold growth, expensive water damage, and health concerns for family members. Clogged toilets also create unpleasant and lingering odors throughout the house.
A common cause of clogged toilets is too much toilet paper, which becomes trapped and slows down waste flow. This is a preventable issue by switching to thinner toilet paper that can dissolve more quickly. You may also try using a plunger or chemical drain cleaner to break up and dislodge the clog. However, if the problem persists, it could be a sign of a larger problem with your sewer line.
Other signs of sewer problems include gurgling noises when you flush a toilet or hear water bubbling up through sink or bathtub drains. These are caused by air trapped in the pipes and indicate that there is a blockage somewhere nearby. If you notice lush patches of green grass growing in your yard over the septic tank or sewer line, this indicates that the underground pipe is broken and allowing water into the soil.
If you notice any of these issues, contact a professional plumber right away. A plumber can use a camera inspection to find the source of the clog and provide a long-term solution. This could involve repairing the damaged pipe or installing new pipes altogether. A plumber can also perform regular sewer line maintenance to reduce the risk of clogs and other issues. These services can be performed for a low cost and are an excellent investment in the safety of your home. Practicing good flushing habits and adopting a routine of professional sewer cleaning can also greatly reduce the need for costly repairs or replacements down the road.
Water Leaks
All of the drains, pipes and fixtures in your home are connected to the main sewer line. This means that problems with it can affect every part of your house and property. When a sewer line is damaged, it may leak or back up, which can result in expensive damage to your plumbing and appliances.
Fortunately, there are many warning signs that you can watch out for to catch a problem before it becomes an emergency. If you hear gurgling sounds when your toilet is flushed or if you notice a wet spot in your yard, these could be a sign of a water leak in the sewer line. Water leaks can waste hundreds of gallons of water each month, which is both costly and inefficient.
If several of your household drains clog at the same time, this is a sure sign that there is a problem with the sewer line. It is possible that one fixture clogged because of something you put down the drain, but it is much more likely that a broken or cracked pipe caused by shifting soil or frozen ground has allowed water and sewage to escape.
Other signs of a sewer line problem include noticing that your basement is flooding when it rains or that your water bill has gone up without explanation. If you see any of these issues, you should contact a plumber right away.
Various methods can be used to address sewer line problems, depending on what is causing the issue and how severe it is. These options may include using chemical cleaners, snaking or rodding the line to break up a clog, hydro-jetting the line or replacing sections of the line.
The best way to prevent major problems with your sewer line is to have routine inspections performed by a professional plumber. A plumbing contractor can use a special camera to examine the interior of your pipes, checking for cracks, breaks and other problems. Regular inspections can also help you schedule repairs before the problem gets worse. Then, you can avoid costly emergency repairs and extend the lifespan of your sewer line.
