The sooner you are able to detect a clogged sewer line, the better it is for you. If the main sewer line in your house is blocked and the problem goes unnoticed or unsolved for a long time, it can lead to a lot of damage in your home, which can cost you an arm and a leg. Not to mention, it can expose your family to the dangers of contaminated sewer water.
If you are not sure whether or not the problem you are facing is because of a clogged main line, here are some tips to help you recognize main sewer line blockage.
Multiple Backed Up Drains
Make it a point to check out the showers, bathtubs, toilets and sinks every day for any unusual signs. They are the best indicators of any drainage problems you might be having at home. If you see more than one of these water fixtures showing signs of slow drainage, bad smells, water that is backing up or any unusual gurgling, chances are that the main line is clogged or is on its way to being clogged soon.
You see, drain lines carry waste water away from your home. They are designed in a way that the different drainage pipes all lead to one main drainage line. This is what you call the main sewer line. If you see only one of these fixtures showing signs of blockage, chances are that only that particular pipeline is clogging up. If more than one or all of the fixtures are showing signs of clogging, you have a serious problem on your hands. The main line is clogged and you need to do something about it.
Sewage Water In Floor Drains
Another sign that you might have a clogged main line is the floor drain. When the main sewer line becomes blocked, sewage water will look for an alternative path to go out. If there is no other way for the waste water to go out, the water from your sewage will find its way into the secondary drain.
If you are wondering how you can tell whether or not sewage water is accumulating in the secondary drainage, do not worry. It will be very obvious. When it happens, you might see sewage water coming up from the floor drains but you will definitely be able to smell sewage water before it starts to happen.
Water In Shower Backs Up When You Flush The Toilet
If your household has a problem of a clogged main line, you will start to experience something strange. The water will start to back up in random places as you are using different water fixtures in your home. The most common occurrence is that the shower starts to back up when you flush the toilet. The second most common thing which happens is that the sinks and toilet start to overflow when you are using the washing machine.
The thing is that all of the drainage pipes lead to the same sewer line. This means when you are using the toilet and flush it, the water is trying to find a way down the drain. If there is no way for the waste water to go down the main drain line, it will climb up through the drainage pipe of another water fixture and come out there.
If you are not exactly sure whether this thing is happening in your home or not, there are a few ways to find out:
- The first thing you need to do is turn the tap on of your bathroom sink and see if the water in the toilet starts to bubble up.
- Another way you can check is by turning on your washing machine and check for any overflow in your shower drain or bathtub drain.
- Of course, you can flush the toilet to see whether the water is gurgling in your shower drain.
Remember the fact that overflowing water will always look for the lowest point to come out of. This is why any water fixtures on the lower floor or basement are most likely to show you signs of a clogged main line better than anything else.
Drainage Water In Sewer Clean Out
All modern homes have a sewer clean out installed. It is basically a pipe that is connected directly to the main sewer line of a home, which gives plumbers direct access to the main line in case they need to clear out any blockages.
If you suspect that you are facing a clogged main line, the sewer clean out is a good place to get your answer. In most homes, sewer clean out is located right outside the home or in the basement. It is clearly marked by a round or rectangular cap, which has the word “sewage” or “clean out” written on it.
Once you find the sewer clean out in your home, remove the cap. If there is water overflowing from the pipe or if there is water standing in the pipe, you most definitely have a clogged main line.
What Do You Do If There’s A Clogged Main Line In Your Home?
Wondering what you need to do if you’re facing the problem of a clogged main line? Well, no amount of drain cleaning liquids are likely help you out. Even if they clear up the problem, it will provide you nothing more than a temporary fix. What you need is a thoroughly done plumbing job done by the very best.
If you happen to live in Arizona, you are in luck because at Mesa Plumbing Company, we have the right solutions to all your plumbing problems. Everything from the most basic issues to the most challenging main sewer line blockages are our forte. Contact us through our website at https://mesaplumbingcompany.com/ or simply call us at (480) 832-1660 for more information. We’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about us or the services we provide.