How to Know if Your Sewer Line is Clogged
You may have noticed that your home fills with sewage more often lately. Or maybe you see a foul odor coming from your drains more often than usual. Either way, you may have a problem.
Sewage backups can be a sign that your sewer line is blocked. The blockage is usually caused by hair, dirt, or grease from the household settling in the sewer line and blocking the flow of water. If your sewer line is clogged, you have more than one problem. You may have a leaking faucet or a slow-draining sink, toilet, or washing machine. But the real culprit could be the clogged sewer line.
How do you know if your sewer line is clogged? If the problem persists even after you clear the clogs in your drainage system, you should call a licensed plumber phoenix to unblock your sewer line. But how do you know if your sewer line is clogged? Here’s a step-by-step checklist to help you determine if you should call a sewer repair Phoenix or handle the problem yourself.
Check your pipes and drains
If you’re experiencing sewage backups and no water is draining into the toilet, check your pipes and drains for clogs. If you just checked your pipes for clogs, it could be that the blockage is still there. Clear the blockage with a hanger or plunger before calling a plumber phoenix.
Step 1: Listen
Put your ear near the toilet tank. If you hear gurgling, water is draining into the tank. If not, there could be a blockage in the pipes between the toilet and the sewer line.
Step 2: See if water drains when you flush
If water doesn’t drain when you flush your toilet, it could mean that there is a blockage in the wastewater line or vent stack. You should check your plumbing fixtures to see if they are leaking or clogged. You may need to call a plumber phoenix to unblock them before proceeding with this check list.
Step 3: Check for leaks
The most common cause of slow drainage is a leak or crack in an underground pipe leading from your house to the main sewer line in your street. If you suspect that you have a leak, detect it by checking for wet areas on your property after a heavy rainstorm.
Visual inspections
First, you should look for signs of clogged drains. You can do this by checking your toilet, sink, and shower drain for hair and other debris in the drainage system. If you find a clog, you can use a plunger or wire coat hanger to try to clear the blockage. If this doesn’t work, you should call a sewer repair Phoenix immediately.
Next, inspect your sewer line to make sure there aren’t any foreign objects that may be blocking it. The easiest way to do this is with a flashlight while looking inside the pipe from the top of your property (or under ground if you have access). Anything that looks like an object can clog up your sewer line and cause an overflow.
If you don’t see anything obstructing the pipe, but still experience sewage backups regularly or constantly smell bad odors coming from your drains, it may be time to call a licensed plumber phoenix to unblock your sewer line.
Smell check
Check for a foul smell coming from your drains. If you smell sewage, it’s likely that you have a clogged sewer line. You can try to clear the clog yourself, but if you need help, call a professional plumber.
Check for water leaks
If you have water leaks, the pipe may be corroding and may need to be replaced. To check for leaks, use a moisture meter or hire a plumber phoenix to do it for you.
If your home has an older sewer line made of clay tiles or concrete, it’s even more important that you keep an eye on your drains and pipes. Sewer lines are very susceptible to cracks and leaks. If your home has these types of sewer lines, it’s important that you keep an eye on them so they don’t cause problems later on down the road.
Drop a penny in the drain
This is the simplest test you can do. If your drain does not suck up a penny, call a licensed plumber phoenix. If your home has a septic tank, you may be able to do some maintenance work on the tank yourself. Without regular maintenance, however, your system can become clogged and start to leak. If this happens, you will have to replace or repair your entire septic system.
If you suspect that your septic tank has a problem, call a professional plumber phoenix right away. Seeking help from a professional plumber is the best way to solve any plumbing problems in your home. A licensed plumber phoenix is trained and certified in all aspects of plumbing.
Find a clog and clear it
The first step is to identify where the clog is. If you’re using a plunger, use the eye at the tip of it to check for the clog. To clear it, press down on the plunger and move it around in a counterclockwise motion. If this doesn’t work, remove the plunger and use an adjustable wrench to turn off any valves or stopcocks that are clogged.
If you still can’t locate the clog, use a flashlight and look for bubbles as you flush your toilet water. Bubbles indicate that your toilet may be blocked with debris or roots.
Call a plumber phoenix
If you have a leaky trap or running toilet, you may be able to fix your problem yourself. But if your sewer line is clogged, it causes multiple problems and is much more difficult to fix on your own. If you can’t find the cause of the problem, call a licensed plumber phoenix to unblock your sewer line.
Conclusion
If the drain is clogged, you can expect the sewage system to overflow. Drain clogs often occur because of a buildup of solid material in the pipes. This material can be hair, grease, sand, and other types of debris that is usually flushed down the toilet and doesn’t make it all the way through the drain. Calling a licensed sewer repair phoenix from Rooter Hero Phoenix will get all your plumbing needs sorted.
