Owning a home comes with several responsibilities, including regular maintenance and repairs; unfortunately, many homeowners neglect their plumbing and sewer system. A clogged sewer line can have catastrophic consequences and require the skills of The Original $49.95 plumber for professional repairs. A blocked or partially clogged sewer line can be caused by many things, such as expansive tree roots, a buildup of waste matter, or a damaged pipe that could collapse at any moment. Understanding the signs of a blocked sewer line can save you valuable time and money.
What Happens if Sewer Line is Clogged?
1. Your drains are draining much slower than usual: If water drains slowly down plumbing throughout your home and multiple drains are affected simultaneously, it’s a sign you have a clogged sewer line. You may also experience issues flushing the toilet, which could overflow, bringing dangerous waste products into your home contaminated with bacteria.
2. Gurgling noises coming from your drains: If your toilet makes gurgling noises when you turn on the dishwasher or washing machine or a drain gurgles when the toilet is flushed, you are experiencing a drain line blockage. One of the most common causes of drain line blockages is tree roots. As the root system grows into the sewer line, it can obstruct the pipe when toilet paper catches the root and eventually forms a clog. Gurgling will increase as the clog becomes larger.
3. Smelly drains: If you begin to notice an unpleasant odor from the toilet, sinks, or drains, that smells like sulfur, your sewage is not draining efficiently through your sewer lines. The rotten egg smell could indicate a clog or a collapsed or broken sewer pipe.
4. Plumbing becomes an everyday occurrence: plunging a toilet now and again is not a cause for concern, but if you are plunging toilets and sinks that are running slowly, there is probably a clog deep in your plumbing system that unfortunately won’t be limited to just one plumbing fixture. Clogged plumbing can also affect your water pressure, leading to unexplained changes in your toilet’s water level.
5. Water is backing up your sewer line cleanout: Your home has a sewer line cleanout to allow your plumber to access your plumbing to clear clogs. If water backs up your sewer line cleanout, the line cannot drain, indicating a blockage. Your The Original $49.95 Plumber has specialized equipment to drain your sewer line cleanout to access and remove the blockage.
6. Your yard is swamped: If it hasn’t rained for a good while and your property is a muddy mess, this could be a sign of a break in your underground sewer line. Other telltale signs of damage to your sewer line include plant growth that is more lush than usual.
Drain Pipe Cleaning, Unclogging & More in Staten Island, Maspeth, Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Yonkers, Queens, NYC Boroughs, New York City NY
Other than the obvious reasons like broken or damaged pipes and sewer lines, there are many different reasons your main sewer line can become clogged, including repeatedly flushing unsafe products such as feminine hygiene products, diaper wipes, and food down the toilet, pouring oil and grease down the kitchen drain and extreme temperature changes. Keep your sewer line clear by only flushing septic tank-safe toilet paper down the toilets, and avoid pouring oil down the drains. To learn more about sewer clogs and to schedule an appointment for your Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens & Staten Island, New York home, and to schedule an appointment, contact the experts at The Original $49.95 Plumber today.