Typically found in the basement, crawl space or garage, the main sewer line is a crucial part of a home’s plumbing system. The main sewer line is what takes all of the waste from toilets, tubs, and sinks out of your home, toward the main sewer under the street in front of your home.
Many outside factors can result in clogging of the main sewer line. We all know that a clogged drain or a slow-running sink or bathtub can be a nuisance, but what happens if all the drains in your home begin backing up at once? This can be caused by a main sewer drain clog.
When the main sewer line is clogged, it can cause drainage and backup issues that can lead to costly repairs or worse, expose your family to contaminated water.
A clogged main sewer line is a plumbing emergency that requires professional help. Knowing the warning signs to look out for can help keep your family and home safe and prevent you from ever having to deal with a major repair or replacement.
What are the common causes of a clogged sewer line?
Understanding the causes of a clogged main drain is important in helping prevent harmful blockages. Here are some causes of main sewer line clog:
1. Severe Pipe Damage
Corrosion of an older pipe can cause the pipe to break or collapse. However, outside factors such as shifting soil, settling, increased traffic on the ground above, or the use of heavy construction equipment above ground can also result in sewer rapture. Broken or ruptured sewer pipes could prevent the system from draining properly and lead to sewer clogs.
2. Sagging Sewer Line
Over time and due to soil conditions, a section of the pipe may sag or sink. The sunk area would start collecting waste that could result in clogging.
3. Tree Root Infiltration
As they grow, tree roots search for water sources and are naturally attracted to underground piping systems. The roots can latch onto a sewer pipe and cause the line to break and get clogged.
4. Food and Waste Debris
Flushing wipes and dumping grease, fats, oil, and food wastes down our drain or toilet can cause serious sewer drain issues.
What are the common warning signs of a sewer line issue?
Here are some warning signs that you might be having a main sewer line issue and it’s time to call a plumber.
1. Frequent backups in your drains
Frequent backups especially in the lower level of your home can be a sign of a clogged sewer line. If the issue keeps happening, then it may be time to call a plumber to diagnose a potential bigger issue.
2. Multiple Fixtures Are Clogged
Most plumbing issues are localised to a particular sink, tub, or toilet. But if you are experiencing a backup in several fixtures at the same time, you likely have a blockage in your main sewer line.
3. Strange reactions when using plumbing fixtures
If your main drain line is clogged, water will tend to go back up which may cause strange reactions when you are using plumbing fixtures such as water back up from your tub or shower when you flush the toilet. Another indicator is the toilet water bubbling as you are running water in a sink close to the toilet or gurgling noise when you flush the toilet.
4. Awful sewage smell coming from your drains
An unpleasant smell coming from your drains is also a sign that your main sewer line is backed up.
5. Changes in your lawn
An indentation on your lawn or a soggy patch of grass above your sewage system could be signs of a broken main sewer pipe.
Main sewer line repair and replacement
While it is safe for homeowners to do some drain cleaning and maintenance tasks, the main sewer line repair and replacement should be performed by a certified, professional plumber.
At World of Plumbing and Gas, our experienced plumbers can help you diagnose and repair the problem before it turns into a more serious plumbing emergency. We use an in-line video inspection camera to see where the problem lies and identify the appropriate repair needed. Depending on the damage, the main sewer line can be repaired or replaced.
If you’re having a sewer or drain issue, we guarantee we can diagnose and fix it. For sewer line repair and replacement in Perth, trust the experts at World of Plumbing and Gas, call 0488 296 724.
