|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Are you dealing with slow drains, foul odors, or sewage backups? These are all symptoms of a drain line clog, one of a homeowner’s worst nightmares.
The symptoms of blockage in your sewer system are some of the most frustrating problems a household can encounter. Moreover, failed attempts to solve the problem can add to your frustration.
At Mattioni, we’ve been clearing clogged drain lines for generations, so we understand just how much a clogged sewer can interfere with your life.
That’s why we always recommend homeowners become informed on the root causes of clogs first, to determine the appropriate solution.
In this guide, you’ll discover the most common signs of a clog, what they mean, and when to take action yourself versus when to call a professional. We’ll share our expertise and insights to help anyone get their sewer system back to normal.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have the tools and knowledge needed to keep your plumbing system running smoothly.
Understanding the Blueprint of Your Home’s Sewage System
Your home’s sewage system operates like a tree, with various branches working together to transport wastewater away from your home.
Main Sewer Line: The “trunk” of your system; it connects your home to the city’s public sewer or your septic tank. This line (usually 4” – 6” in diameter) runs either beneath your home’s foundational slab or along a basement wall, then underground outside, usually through your front yard. Here are some key components of your main sewer line:
- Standpipes: Either capped for cleaning (called a cleanout) or vented with mushroom caps for airflow (called a vent). A cleanout pipe is an accessible point where blockages can be detected and removed.
A full cleanout pipe indicates a clog between it and the public sewer line (or septic tank), while an empty cleanout pipe indicates a clog between it and your house. For these reasons, we sometimes call cleanout pipes a canary in the coal mine, when addressing a main sewer line clog.
Branch Sewer Lines: The larger “branches” of the sewer system tree (usually 3” – 4” in diameter); these are groups of fixtures (like those from a bathroom or kitchen) that join before connecting to the main sewer line. Clogs in a branch line affect multiple fixtures within a room or nearby rooms.
Local Fixtures: These would be the smallest individual “twigs” of the system (usually 2” or less in diameter); individual sinks, showers, or toilets. Clogs in local fixtures are typically isolated to one drain.
Visualizing this structure can help you pinpoint where a clog might be located and guide your next steps to addressing it. Now that you understand how your sewage system functions, let’s dive into the types of clogs that can disrupt this flow.
Understanding the 3 Types of Sewer Clogs: Key Differences
Knowing the type of clog you’re dealing with will help you determine the best solution to the problem.
Local Fixture Clogs
Most fixture clogs are caused by simple issues like excess hair in the drain or improper flushing, like feminine products or “flushable” wipes (contrary to their name, flushable wipes shouldn’t be flushed).
Branch Line Clogs
When several fixtures in the same room start to clog at the same time, the issue likely lies in their branch line. Common causes include hair, foreign objects, or improper flushing. Symptoms mirror those of local fixture clogs but are more involved as they affect multiple fixtures.
Main Sewer Line Clogs
These are the most serious type of clog and often stem from invasive tree roots, improper pitching, old pipes, or cracks in the system (your whole sewer system should be a closed loop from start to finish).
6 Symptoms of a Sewer Clog and How to Fix Them
Recognizing these symptoms early can save you time, hassle, and costly repairs.
- Slow Draining Fixtures or Water Backing Up
If one sink, shower, or toilet is very slow to drain or isn’t draining at all and water is backing up, it usually indicates a local clog.
- Sinks: Hair or objects stuck in the trap pipe under the sink can cause a sink clog. Remove and clean the trap pipe manually – avoid using drain cleaning chemicals as they can damage your water supply system and/or your pipes.
- Toilets: Excess toilet paper or non-flushable item being flushed can cause a toilet clog. Start with a plunger or a longer snake to unclog your toilet, or below your toilet. If this fails, call a professional to remove the toilet and locate a deeper clog.
- Showers: Hair buildup in the drain is the usual suspect in shower drain clogs. Try removing the drain cap and removing as much hair as possible, and if that doesn’t work, put a shop vac to the drain to loosen up the clog. In neither of these works, a professional plumber can help.
- Bubbling or Gurgling Noises
Bubbles or gurgling sounds occur when air struggles to pass through a partial clog. This is often limited to one local fixture but can be a sign of a larger clog if multiple fixtures are gurgling, especially at the lowest level in your home.
Fix this issue by following the above steps on the affected drain.
- Bad Odors and/or Flies
A foul smell almost always means something is stuck in a drain or pipe, which is sometimes affecting only one fixture, but could also be a sign of a larger problem at hand like a branch or main sewer line clog.
If bad odors are accompanied by any type of flies or black sentiment, it could indicate a deeper issue.
Try using the methods listed above to unclog the pipe. If the problem persists, you’ll want to call a professional to run some diagnostic test to locate the clog and fix it.
- Simultaneous Clogs
If several fixtures in the same room clog at the same time, the branch line may be blocked. Multiple clogs throughout the house could signal a main sewer line clog.
If the affected drains are the lowest in the home (in the basement) or the closest to the public sewer line or septic tank, then it likely means it is in fact a main line clog. If the affected drains are higher in the house, it’s likely a branch line clog.
In either case, you’ll need professional help when plunging or snaking the individual drains doesn’t work.
- Recurring Clogs
Persistent clogging (after unclogging) can indicate a deeper issue with your main sewer line’s infrastructure such as invasive tree roots, pipe cracks, or improper pitching.
If you’re dealing with a clog that returns soon after being cleared, it’s time to consult with a professional for a camera inspection and a more thorough solution to your piping issues.
- Sewage in the Yard
Sewage puddles in your yard are a clear sign of a main sewer line issue. The first place you should check is your standpipes (cleanouts and vents). If any areas are overflowing with water, the clog is somewhere between your house and the septic tank or public sewer. It’s best to contact a professional to snake your main sewer line.
Unclogging Drains: DIY vs. Calling a Professional Plumber
A rule of thumb when addressing all types of clogs is first to try plunging it, and then rent or purchase a snake, which can reach further down the pipe. If neither of these methods work, calling a professional is recommended.
When you call a professional plumber out to your home, you can expect the following procedure:
First, they’ll run some tests to determine if you’re dealing with a main sewer line or branch clog. This includes opening the cleanouts and vents in your yard to check water levels. If any are overflowing, they’ll be able to determine where the clog is and run a snake to that point to unclog it.
If no outdoor standpipes are overflowing, they’ll check the indoor cleanouts (the screw caps on pipes inside your home) in an attempt to locate and unclog the blockage.
If the clog still hasn’t been found, they will likely want to remove the affected toilet and run a snake into that fixture. Most clogs are dealt with using water pressure, a camera inspection or a snake.
Why You Need to Address Clogs Quickly
Leaving a sewer clog unresolved can lead to unsanitary conditions, exposing your home to germs, mold, and potentially more significant health risks. Stagnant water and exposed sewage also create an environment for pests like flies.
The longer you wait, the higher the risk of serious property damage and the need for more costly repairs.
How to Keep Your Sewer System Healthy
Since professional sewer maintenance isn’t typically a common practice, preventing clogs is the best way to maintain your sewer system. Here are a few tips:
- Don’t flush non-flushable items including “flushable” wipes, feminine products, or thicker materials.
- Install drain guards in sinks and showers to catch hair and debris.
- Regularly inspect cleanouts for signs of blockages before they become severe.
- Be mindful of trees planted near your sewer line, as their roots can infiltrate and damage pipes.
By understanding the warning signs of a sewer clog and acting quickly, you can keep your home’s plumbing in top shape while avoiding costly and unpleasant repairs.
Sewer Clogs: Taking the Next Steps
While sometimes avoidable, sewer clogs are an inevitable part of homeownership. However, knowing the signs and taking quick action can prevent a minor inconvenience from becoming a major disaster.
Whether it’s a slow-draining sink, a gurgling toilet, or an unpleasant odor, the signals of a plumbing issue shouldn’t be ignored. Oftentimes, local fixture and branch clogs can be dealt with using a plunger, a snake, or clearing out a trap pipe.
For bigger problems like simultaneous clogs, or if you’re unable to locate the clog, calling a professional is an essential solution that can save you time and money.
The Mattioni team knows that nobody wants to deal with a clogged sewer line on their to-do list. That’s why we’re here to help. Call today at (610) 400-8510 for a free consultation or schedule an appointment online to get your sewer system back to normal.
To avoid costly repairs and unpleasant odors, stay proactive in monitoring your home’s plumbing. Don’t hesitate to contact a professional for stubborn clogs – your home’s health depends on it.
