A well-maintained plumbing system guarantees a healthy home and healthy occupants.
You might not think much about what goes on underground or behind the walls. However, the health of your plumbing system is a factor in keeping your household dry and immaculate. Every water fixture, pipe, and drain in your home connects to the main sewer line.
Don’t let unsanitary and filthy sewage find its way into your home. A Better Plumber will tell you about the common culprits of sewer drain clogs. Being better informed will save you from dire plumbing circumstances.
Main Sewer Line: What Is It?
Every household has a designated plumbing line that carries all the waste from every fixture in your home — dishwashers, toilet bowls, showers, and sinks. Since the main sewer line is deep underground, clogs sometimes go undetected.
However, there are warning signs that you’ve got a clogged sewer pipe:
- Slow draining speed of your water fixtures and appliances
- Unpleasant smells
- Unusual sounds
- Backing up of shower drains when flushing the toilet
Causes of Clogged Sewer Lines
At some point, you will encounter problems with a drain or toilet bowl in your home. These issues are easy to solve. However, there are worse problems that require a professional’s help. If there are no visible sources of the problem, it may be because of a blocked sewer line.
Various causes of clogs in the main sewer line are:
1. Household Waste
More often than not, the cause of the problem comes from your home. Clogs either take time to develop or happen instantly, affecting the flow of water and waste through the pipes.
These common household wastes build up and create a leak or a rupture somewhere in your plumbing system:
- Grease poured down the drain
- Fecal and other bathroom waste
- Food particles and other kitchen debris
2. Tree Roots
Trees and plants in your yard will grow and seek water sources, which helps them survive dry seasons. Their roots will usually find your sewer line, poke a hole in the pipes, and eventually grow thick enough to cause clogging.
This problem is common in older homes with outdated water pipes. If your plumbing pipes are made of clay or other porous materials, they’ll likely break down once tree roots find their way in; the parts that connect them are not as sturdy as modern PVC pipes.
3. Extreme Pipe Damage
The water pipes underground will have signs of wear and tear. As the years go by, the things you pour down the drain will cause imminent damage to your pipes.
Other reasons for pipe damage are:
- Ruptures due to earthquakes
- Operation of heavy equipment
- Increased traffic above ground
- Outdated sewer pipes
- Collapse or breakage of pipes due to corrosion
- Loose seals between pipe sections
Sagging sewer pipes might also be a problem. It happens in older homes when the ground shifts or soil conditions change. The low or saggy part of the plumbing system will collect waste over time — resulting in stubborn blockages.
Signs of a Sewer Line Issue
If you want to avoid an ensuing plumbing disaster, our team at A Better Plumber has gathered some of the common warning signs you should watch out for:
1. Unusual Events
Keep an eye on your plumbing fixtures for these telltale signs of a sewer drain clog:
- Strange noises when you flush the toilet or when water drains from your sinks and tubs.
- Water backs up in your drain or tub every time you flush the toilet.
- Water starts to bubble or rise.
2. Synchronized Malfunctions
If problems with your drains, faucets, and toilets happen in sync, the root cause must be the main sewer line. If so, have seasoned plumbers fix it for you.
3. Persistent Backups
Your go-to solution when this happens might be commercial drain cleaners. However, these cleaning solutions will only make the problem worse. If backups keep happening, the only way to determine the source of the problem is to call the plumbers.
A Better Plumber Is at Your Service!
If you’re looking for qualified plumbers in Aurora, CO, look no further! A Better Plumber is here to keep your home sewage-free. With our top-of-the-line sewer cameras, no issue is out of sight. See what’s happening underground in real-time. Call us today, and we’ll snatch your clogged sewer pipe problems out of your hands!
