Is Your Main Sewer Line Blocked?
If you have a blocked sewer line, it is important to act fast and call a professional. A blocked sewer line can lead to serious problems, including flooding, water damage, and sewage backup.
At Liberty Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, we have the experience and equipment to quickly clear your blocked sewer line and get your home or business back to normal. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation. We serve homeowners and businesses of all sizes.
Signs You Have a Main Sewer Line Block
Water backup in several drains in your home is one of the most common signs of a main sewer line block. You may see strange things like water filling up your sink when you flush the toilet. If this happens, it is a sign that your main sewer line needs to be checked as soon as possible.
Other signs of a blocked sewer line include:
– Frequent clogs in drains
– Gurgling sounds coming from drains
– Slow drainage
Drain Clog vs Main Sewer Line Block
Your main sewer line is responsible for carrying all the wastewater from your home or business to the city’s sewer system. A blockage in this line can cause problems for your entire plumbing system.
A drain clog, on the other hand, is a blockage that occurs in one of the drains in your home. These are usually caused by things like hair, soap residue, and food particles. While drain clogs can be a nuisance, they are usually not as serious as a main sewer line blockage. You may be able to clear drain clogs through hydro jetting or with the aid of a drain snake.
If you’re not sure whether you have a drain clog or a main sewer line block, the best thing to do is call a professional plumber. They will be able to quickly diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action.
The Issues With DIY
A main sewer line blockage requires immediate attention from a professional. This is not a problem that you should try to fix yourself. There are a number of reasons why DIY is not the best option when it comes to sewer line repair:
- Since the main line runs outside your home, your DIY efforts like using a drain snake or auger will not reach the blockage. Even if you could reach the blockage, these tools can do more harm than good. If you use a drain snake, you run the risk of pushing the blockage further down the line. This will make the problem worse and could result in an even bigger mess.
- Another issue with trying to fix the problem yourself is that regular ways often don’t work because they are frequently caused by serious clogs or broken pipes.
How Can You Help?
Clean The Area
Although you may not have the skill or experience to fix a sewer line blockage, there are still some things you can do to help. One of the best things you can do is keep the contaminated area clean. You should also keep your family away from the area until it has been cleaned and repaired. Sewage harbors bacteria and other harmful pathogens that can cause serious illness. Don’t expect the problem to resolve on its own. It won’t.
If you have a blocked sewer line, the best thing to do is call a professional. At Liberty Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, we have the experience and equipment to quickly clear your blocked sewer line and get your home or business back to normal.
Don’t Ignore The Issue or Use a Drain Cleaner
Using a drain cleaner to clear a sewer line blockage is not effective and can actually make the problem worse. Drain cleaners are harsh chemicals that can damage your pipes. If you pour drain cleaner down your drain, it will only eat away at the clog, making it harder to remove. It can also damage your pipes, making them more likely to leak or burst.
Turn off The Water
If you have a main sewer line blockage, the first thing you should do is turn off the water. This will prevent water from backing up into your home or business and causing further damage. When you fail to shut off the water supply to your home, others may use a sink or toilet and make an already bad situation worse.
Once you’ve turned off the water, call a professional plumber like Liberty Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning. This will prevent anyone from accidentally turning the water back on and causing a flood.
Call a Plumber
When you’ve restricted movement to the area and cleaned up as best you can, it’s time to call a professional plumber. It’s important to have the problem fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your home or business. A sewer line inspection will be performed to determine the cause of the blockage and the best course of action.
Common Causes of a Main Sewer Line Clog
Main sewer line clog is often caused by tree roots that have extended into your pipes or broken sewer pipes. If you have trees on your property, it’s important to have them regularly checked to make sure their roots are not causing damage to your sewer line. Because main sewer pipes are a minimum of six inches in diameter, they are often not affected by minor problems like hair clogs.
As they age, sewer lines may become fragile and burst, causing a blockage. Tree roots also commonly grow into pipes, blocking the line. Prolonged grease accumulation can cause a serious clog which may also block the line. That is why you should avoid pouring grease down the drain.
Yet another frequent cause of sewer line blockage is objects that have been flushed down the toilet. These include feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, and paper towels. While these objects may seem small, they can quickly cause a blockage. The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper.
Let The Plumber Take Care of The Problem
If you have a main sewer line clog, it’s important to call a professional plumber as soon as possible. The sooner the problem is fixed, the less damage there will be to your home or business. The plumber will find the cause of the blockage and determine the best course of action. They have specialized tools like a hydro jetter, to remove clogs. You’ll spend less if they are able to clear the pipe this way.
Expect the repair to be expensive if the issue is the result of a burst pipe or tree roots. The plumbers will have to dig up your yard to access the pipe and make the repairs. These types of repairs are more cumbersome in winter when the ground is hardened.
But before digging up your yard, your plumbers may try other ways like using a truck that shoots water down your sewer line at a high pressure to remove the blockage. Because your home requires water and drainage for comfortable living, a functional sewer line is important. That’s why it’s best to let professionals take care of the problem as soon as you can.
If the job is too expensive for your budget, find out if your insurance policy covers the repair or if your plumbing contractor has payment options. Most homeowners’ policies will cover at least part of the cost if the damage is due to an accident or natural disaster.
Make Sure The Problem is Your Fault
Before you call a professional plumber, it’s important to make sure that the problem is actually your responsibility. If the blockage is located on your property, then it’s your responsibility to fix it.
In some cases, the issue may be with the municipal sewer line and not your home or business’s pipes.
If your plumber discovers that the problem is not with your sewer line, you may have to call the city or county to have them fix the issue. You can also check with your neighbors to see if they are having similar issues. If they are, then it’s likely that the problem is with the municipal sewer line.
Don’t Delay Fixing a Sewer Line Blockage
A main sewer line blockage is a serious problem that should be fixed as soon as possible. If you have a clog, call a professional plumber to assess the situation and determine the best course of action. The sooner the problem is fixed, the less damage there will be to your property.
Leaving the issue to linger puts the health of your family at risk and makes your home uncomfortable for living. Not to mention, the longer you wait, the more expensive the repair is likely to be. So, if you think you may have a sewer line clog, don’t delay in calling a professional.
Get Professional Help With Your Sewer Line Blockage
If you have a main sewer line clog, don’t try to fix it yourself. This is a job for a professional. Call Liberty Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning today. We’ll have someone out to your home or business as soon as possible to assess the situation and get started on the repair. We have the experience and equipment necessary to fix even the most stubborn clogs. Contact us today at (951) 760-4215 to schedule an appointment.
