You probably grab the plunger first when you notice a blocked drain at home. You may not know that standard plunging can be useless in some situations, such as when your main sewer line becomes clogged. This can lead to widespread flooding in your home and other plumbing issues.
You need to know how to deal with clogged sewer pipes to prevent severe damage.
Are Your Main Sewer Lines Clogged?
Drain lines are installed throughout your home to carry wastewater from sinks, bathtubs, toilets and other fixtures. All these drain lines lead to your main sewer line. This large pipe transports waste directly from your home to the sewer or septic tank. If it becomes clogged, all drains in your home will be unable to function. You may also experience water leaking from your pipes, or even a backup of water. Yikes!
There is no easy way to fix a clogged main sewer line. The drain lines that are buried far from your house can be deep underground. To handle these drain lines, you usually need special equipment and expert knowledge. You can still fix it, even if you cannot usually do so yourself. You can still do a few things to prevent the problem from worsening until you get a plumber.
Clogged Sewer Lines
It is rare to find this type of clog, as most sewer pipes are only 4 to 6 inches in width. This is usually the result of a serious problem in your plumbing system. A clog can be caused by damage to your sewer line. Damage to a sewer line can prevent waste from flowing through it properly. Sewer lines can be damaged by a variety of factors, including:
- Shifting soil around pipe
- Corrosion in the pipe
- Construction Near the Line
- Heavy traffic over the sewer pipe
- Pipe joints damaged
Sewer lines can also clog because they sag with time. This bend makes it easier for debris to accumulate, eventually causing a blockage.
Fat is the most common debris to clog a sewer. Pouring greases, oils, or fats down the sink drain will cause them to cool and solidify. Even if the grease is poured down the drain with hot water, it will usually harden by the time the grease reaches the main sewer line. The fat then sticks to the lines, causing a blockage.
Paper towels, sanitary items, and so-called flushable wipes are also common clog-causing debris. Never flush anything other than liquids and toilet tissue down your drains.
Tree roots are a final culprit in clogged pipes. Trees can be surprisingly strong. Over time, even tiny roots can find their way into pipes. The root may clog the area where the pipe is broken, so you won’t notice any leaks. As the roots continue to grow inside the pipe, a large mass forms that makes it difficult for sewage to pass through.
Sewer Line Clogs: Signs to Look Out for
The majority of clogged drains occur gradually. You can address the problem in its early stages before sewage water floods your home. If you think you need to clean your sewer lines, here are some signs you should look for:
Dark Water
Water backed up in the tub or shower is a sign of a clogged main drain. When you drain water, but the sewer line becomes clogged, there is nowhere for it go. Water will then move backwards, looking for the lowest point to enter. This is usually the floor drain, shower or tub in a basement.
The water is not clear, unlike the flood caused by a leaking pipe. It will be dirty, smelly, and dark because there is a lot waste mixed in. Be careful around this water because it may contain raw sewage. When cleaning after dark water has flowed into your drains, use powerful cleaners and protective gear.
Slow-Moving Drains
Spend a moment thinking about your drains. Do you see water pooling when you turn on the tap? Drains slow down when there is a blockage because most clogs in sewer lines do not completely block the pipe. Debris accumulates slowly over time and makes it more difficult for waste to pass through.
The problem with slow drains is usually a clogged sewage line. The first drains that you’ll notice slowing are usually the toilet drains. The water in the toilet may appear to linger for a few seconds before slowly sinking. Toilets can be the first drain to become clogged by a mainline blockage because they are usually directly connected to your sewer system.
Gurgling Sounds
You may experience some strange reactions when you are using your plumbing system. This is because a mainline blockage prevents your drains from functioning properly. Water and air bubbles may form when you use the washing machine, flush a toilet, or run a sink. This rumbling in your pipes may cause noises. These noises may seem to originate from the plumbing fixtures or walls of other rooms.
Most people hear a gurgling sound when they use a drain. You may also hear strange sounds such as hissing, bubbles or trickling. It can take some time for things to drain if your main sewer is nearly completely clogged. You may continue to hear strange noises even after you have stopped using the drain.
Clogged Plumbing Fixtures
You’ll notice this sign if you let your sewer line clog for too long. As the blockage builds, the water will stop flowing through the pipe. Your drains will stop working completely. Your plumbing fixtures may stop draining completely instead of only slightly slowing down.
All the plumbing fixtures are interconnected, so a blocked sewer pipe can prevent draining throughout the home. You may find that if you run the sink in the kitchen, the shower in the bathroom is clogged. You may find that your toilets are working fine on the top floor, but when you get down to the basement, the sinks could be clogged.
How to Clear Your Clogged Sewer Line
The first step is to recognize that your sewer is clogged. The solution is easy once you’ve realized what’s going on. Keep calm and follow two simple steps.
1. Turn off the water
Turn off the water at your home. This is crucial because it prevents the problem from worsening. It’s important to not turn on an clogged drain without thinking and flood one of your bathrooms. This will also prevent automatic processes, such as a dishwasher set on timer, from draining more water down your clogged pipe.
You will need to locate your water main. This is the water line that runs through your house. You can usually find it next to your water meter or outside your home, near one of the corners. It usually has a large handle, wheel or lever. It should be turned until the entire opening is closed.
2. Call a plumber
Although it is technically possible, this is not recommended. DIY repairs are not recommended because most sewer line clogs result from broken pipes, tree root growth and other problems deep in your plumbing system. The majority of people who can handle a simple drain clog do not have the right tools to deal with sewer drain clogs.
The professionals provider have powerful main sewer line cleaners, as well as other equipment to clear all types of clogs. The professionals have the expertise and knowledge to identify the main issue. You can’t fix serious plumbing issues by dumping main drain cleaner into a toilet.
A professional plumbing inspection will ensure that the problem is dealt with. You may have to dig up your yard and do some major plumbing if you need to completely replace the sewer pipes.
How to Unclog Sewer Lines?
You will need to hire a professional plumber who is experienced in unclogging sewer lines. There are some things you can try to mitigate the clog until your contractor arrives.
Most homes have a cleanout for the sewer line. This is a large pipe that has a cap at the end. It can be found in the basement or along the side of the home. This cap can be removed to gain access to your main sewer. You might be lucky and the clog has been forced up against your cleanout. In that case, you could just manually remove it.
A plumbing auger can be used to clear the sewer. You may be able to remove some of the debris or break up the clog. The clogs in sewer lines are usually so large that the auger will not be able to remove them.
Snaking the sewer line will usually only get things moving, making it easier for you to fix backflows and restore your home. Remember that clogs are likely to continue until you have a thorough cleaning of your sewer line. To remove the main clog, you’ll need to contact a sewer unclogging service .
