Few things will send chills down the backs of homeowner spines like hearing the phrase “clogged sewer line.” A clogged sewer line can lead to all kinds of serious problems. This includes the need to dig up the front or back yard and have the situation addressed. Not only does this completely ruin the yard, forcing you to start from scratch, but it also is expensive. However, if you do have a clogged line, it’s not something you can simply close your eyes and wish away. You need to take care of it as quickly as possible. The longer you sit on the situation, the worse it gets (and the more expensive it gets). So, if you’re wondering about how you know if your sewer line is clogged, here are several pointers to help.
Top Ways on How to Know if Your Sewer Line is Clogged
Are Your Drains Constantly Clogged?
Do you have drains that are constantly clogged and even backing up? If so, it may mean there is something wrong with the sewer line. Minor clogs in your bathroom sink or even your shower are not as serious, as these are most likely due to an excess of hair and soap scum. Thankfully these kinds of clogs are easily repaired.
However, if you have a drain or even toilet that is backed up without any real explanation, it may be due to a clogged sewer line. Another sign is if you flush your toilet, and you notice water starts to seep up into the sink or bathtub. If there is a clog in only your sink, the water simply won’t move past a clog. However, if there is a clog in the sewer, the water will be forced back up. Because the water is being forced down the toilet, it will then push water up through other drains.
This is not always clean water that is forced up. It may be sewage that is pushed back up. After all, whatever you’re flushing down may end up being forced back up. This is absolutely an issue you don’t want to deal with and won’t want to let linger.
Are There Trees Close By?
The trees are beautiful. They also can cause some serious problems when planted too close to the house. It also may happen if you have a tree in the front yard near where the sewage line runs. Over time, the roots of the tree will begin to press up against the sewer line. Slowly but surely, as the tree grows, the roots will apply more and more pressure. Eventually, the tree roots may push through the sewer line and cause a clog. Other times the tree might cause the line to burst as the pipe breaks due to the extensive pressure applied on it.
Usually, though, the root will force itself in and cause a small crack in the sewer line. Once there is a crack, the tree will continue to grow, pushing its root system into the sewer line opening. Eventually, this can cause a large blockage in the sewer line. One of the main ways you’ll know this is happening is if you notice a reduction in water pressure (this happens when the clog occurs in the incoming line), or your drains will flow slowly and there will be gurgling sounds as it drains (this happens with the clog occurs in the outgoing line).
Is There a Bad Smell?
Have you noticed the smell of sewage around your home? Maybe it is extremely pungent when you go into the basement or work with your laundry? You might also smell sewage when you walk past a certain area of your yard. If this is the case, it is because there is some kind of leak in the sewer line, and sewage is starting to back up. If the issue is not addressed sooner rather than later, the sewage will eventually begin to back up and even burst into your basement or yard due to the increased pressure within the sewage line.
You should never smell sewage around your property. If you do, that is a major symptom of a clogged sewer line.
Have you Had a Recent Inspection?
You will want to have an inspection performed to determine what the cause of the low water pressure, gurgling water sound, or sewerage smell is. You need to identify the issue so you can correct it before it goes any further. When you contact your local Charlotte plumber, they will most likely perform a video camera inspection. With the video camera, they can feed a long mechanical “snake” through the plumbing. This makes it possible to pinpoint any problems and also what the actual problem location is. Once the problem is identified, they can then go about beginning the repair.
There are several ways this sewage clog can be corrected. Sometimes it is possible to eat away at the clog from within the drain, or it may be necessary to send through an expansive plumbing feature that will slide into the drain and then expand out. This will push the damaged, clogged plumbing into the ground while giving you a new, clean connection.
Ultimately, the best way to determine how to go about correcting the plumbing within your home and any kind of clog that may exist is to give your local Charlotte plumber a call. They will be able to inspect and then address the issue you’re suffering from.
Repair Your Sewer Line Now
Now that you’ve gone through the tips regarding how you know if your sewer line is clogged, you will want to move as quickly as possible. Of all the plumbing issues your home might experience, this is the last one you want to delay. A clogged sewer line, when not immediately addressed, has the potential to not only burst, but it may end up causing problems with the foundation of the house, which will then add tens of thousands of dollars to the eventual repair. Avoid all of this by contacting your local Charlotte plumber. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll have it taken care of the less money it will cost you in the end.
