If you think your home or business has a clogged sewer line, the time to act is now. The reality is that if you leave it alone for too long, this could lead to expensive repairs. It could also lead to exposure to contaminated water, which is hazardous to your health.
To better understand signs of a clogged sewer line, read on.
How can I tell if my sewer line is clogged?
There are several telltale signs that your sewer line is failing:
- Several backed up drains: Having a clogged drain for one fixture is likely a sign of a plumbing issue. A slow-draining shower, toilet or sink means that there’s some localized blockage; however, multiple backed up drains are a sign that the sewer line itself is clogged. These lines take wastewater away from the building. If there’s a bad smell or noticeably slow drainage for several fixtures, then it’s time to bring in the pros to fix this sewage issue.
- Sewage in floor drain: When a main sewer line clogs, sewage and wastewater in the pipes has nowhere to go. This contaminated water will eventually make its way into a secondary drain. This is bad news—pretty soon, you’ll smell and see sewage coming out of the floor drains.
- Water levels in toilets: When the water level rises or lowers for no apparent reason in the toilets, this is likely due to a main sewer line problem. Alterations in water pressure occur when wastewater fails to drain; this then ends up showing through in the toilet’s water levels. Another example of this is when you flush a toilet and water backs up into a bathtub or shower.
- Gurgling sounds: Water flowing through one drain results in gurgling in another drain. For example, if you flush the toilet and then water gurgles in a sink or shower drain—or if you run a washing machine and then the toilet gurgles. These are indications that you need to remove a clog from the main sewer line.
- Sewer clean-out issues: If you spot standing sewage by the clean-out, this is another sign of a main sewer line clog. The sewer clean-out is a pipe that gives plumbers access to remove any blockages. It’s usually located outside of the structure and is marked by a round or rectangular top.
Never attempt to remove a main sewer line clog by yourself. Wastewater is a health hazard, and removing blockages is a dangerous job. Instead, trust the licensed professionals to do it right. They’ll remove the problem completely so that you can go back to a normal level of water usage. While you might want to avoid the cost of such a repair, know that by handling it now, you’re saving money in the future.
Do you need help with water mains, sewer lines or underground utilities? Then Grade-1 Underground is here to help. Whether you’re working on a commercial project or looking for emergency service on municipal lines, we’re here to provide assistance 24 hours a day. Give us a call today to set up your first appointment.