Is the plumbing system of your home showing signs of a main sewer clog? Maybe it is showing some signs of a clog but you don’t know what those signs are. Don’t fret, our team of professional plumbers at Public Service Plumbers decided to help our customers out by putting together this blog post on what signs to look for in the case that your main sewer line could become clogged. Keeping an eye out for these three simple tips could help catch and take care of a main sewer clog before it becomes a major headache.
Multiple Backed Up Lines
The first sign and easiest to spot is multiple backed up lines. A clog in your main sewer line will directly affect all of your other plumbing fixtures in your home. If it is a smaller issue then it will only affect one plumbing appliance.
A simplified way to imagine your home’s sewer system is like a tree. There are many drain lines from other water appliances (branches) that all feed directly into the mainline (trunk). If there is ever an issue from the main trunk, the water draining from the smaller branch lines have nowhere to go but back up.
Unsure if you have multiple backed up lines? Well, do you hear all the following plumbing fixtures making a gurgling noise?
- Toilets
- Bathtubs
- Showers
- Sinks
If they are making any noises then you more than likely have a main sewer line clog. As wastewater slowly moves past the clog it hits air pockets, forcing air bubbles to the surface of the water and this creates the gurgling sounds. Using more water will create stronger gurgling sounds and unfortunately can also cause a strong sewage smell as a sewer blockage becomes worse.
Water Overflows Into Different Plumbing Fixtures
When you do have a main sewer line clog you’ll quickly notice that water will begin to back up and start to overflow into different plumbing fixtures. It’s important to remember that overflowing water seeks the lowest point so plumbing fixtures in the basement or lower floors are the first to overflow in most cases. Still unsure about whether or not this is happening in your home? Check for overflows by doing the following:
- Flush Your Toilet: then check if water gurgles or comes up your tub or shower drain
- Use Your Washing Machine: then look for overflow in your shower drain or toilet
- Run Your Bathroom Sink: and watch if toilet water rises or bubbles up
If you see water overflowing after any of these tests then you most likely have a sewer line clog.
Drainage in Sewer Clean Out
Your home’s sewer clean out should be marked with a circular plastic or concrete lid that clearly says “Clean Out” on it. In the case that your home was built before 1978, it may not actually have a clean out. When you find your home’s clean out, take off the cap and inspect inside. If you find that there is sewer water flowing out of the pipe or standing in the pipe then this is a very clear sign of a sewer line clog.
What To Do When You Have a Clogged Main Sewer Line?
If you have come to the conclusion that you may, in fact, have a clogged main sewer line after conducting these tests, turn off your main water supply right away. Doing so will help stop excess water or sewage from flooding your home. After you have shut off your main water line, be sure to contact a professional team like ours to come in and help take care of your troublesome clog. Our highly-rated specialists have been dealing with issues like this for years and know exactly what it takes to have your sewer line cleared quickly. Getting a clog of this magnitude taken care of by professionals will streamline the process and have you back to enjoying your plumbing fixtures sooner. Contact our team of plumbers today.
