If the main sewer line in your home gets clogged, you could end up with plumbing problems and widespread flooding. To prevent damage, it’s essential to identify where the sewer line clogs and understand the different ways to clean it. This article will cover the main signs of clogged sewer lines and how to deal with them.
What is a Sewer Line, and Why Do Your Drain Lines Clog?
Your home has several drain lines that carry wastewater from your sinks, tubs, toilets, and appliances. All of them eventually lead to the main sewer line, a huge pipe that gets rid of the waste by sending it to the septic system (or septic tank) and/or the municipal sewer system.
If your sewer pipes get clogged, the drains in your home can become unusable. And if you don’t deal with the issue right away, you could end up with leaky pipes and water backing up out of fixtures – or a flooded home!
5 Main Indicators of a Clogged Sewer Line
Most sewer lines get clogged slowly. This is why it’s essential to identify the early signs so you can stop the issue before it genuinely affects your home. Below is a list of things to look out for if you think you might need a sewer line cleanout.
You Can Hear Gurgling Sounds
- A clogged sewer line can keep your drains from working as they should, so you can expect a few surprising effects. One of them is gurgling, hissing, bubbling, or trickling sounds every time you use a sink or flush a toilet. The rattle is often caused by air bubbles rumbling around the sewer pipes.
Your Drains Move Slowly
- If you notice water pooling or think it’s draining slower than usual, this is a typical indicator of a clogged sewer line. Most sewer clogs won’t wholly block water draining; instead, as debris accumulates, waste has more trouble moving through the sewer lines. The first drains that tend to slow down are the toilet drains – this is because toilets are usually connected directly to the sewer line.
Your Fixtures Are Clogged
- If you notice your plumbing fixtures not draining fast enough or at all, this typically means you have missed the earlier signs of a main sewer drain issue. Your fixtures are all connected, so a sewer drain clog can affect your entire home. For example, you might run a bathroom sink and notice your shower is clogged, too. If you have a clogged main sewer line, it’s definitely time to call for help.
Your Sewage is Forced Through the Floor Drain
- Most homes have a floor drain that leads to a collection area or pit. From there, a pump carries the water to the surface. If you have a blocked sewer line, it’s not uncommon to see (and smell) wastewater coming up from your floor drains or secondary drains.
Your Drainage Can Be Seen in the Sewer Cleanout
- The sewer cleanout is the pipe that connects the main sewer line to your home, and it’s usually located just outside your house or in the basement (marked with a round or rectangular cap). This is the line that plumbers tend to first inspect when you suspect a clogged sewer line. If you see sewage draining out of or standing in the cleanout pipes, you definitely have a sewer clog.
Can You Fix a Clogged Sewer Line Yourself?
There really is no easy way to access your sewer lines when you have a clogged drain or clogged sewer pipe. These drains are usually buried deep under the ground and away from your house, so you would need special equipment to even access them – not to mention doing your own drain cleaning.
However, just because you can’t fix a blocked sewer line yourself, it doesn’t mean you are helpless! A plumber can help you understand and fix the problem.
Our Services
Hawthorne PHC is a family-owned and operated plumbing and water filtration company offering same-day service. The company has plumbers in Reno that can help you deal with a clogged sewer line or a clogged drain 24/7. When you use Hawthorne, you are also guaranteed a 2-year warranty on all repairs. Also, their HVAC experts promise to leave your property cleaner than they found it.
Don’t let the fear of home repairs keep you from making the changes you need! Check out our list of home repairs related articles below for more information on how to get started.
