HOW TO QUICKLY DIAGNOSE YOUR SEWER LINE ISSUES

W W W . M I S T E R S E W E R . C O M

Most homeowners pay attention to the plumbing in their homes. Even when they aren’t careful about what goes down their drains, most are quick to recognize clogs and other problems that need to be fixed. Unfortunately, the same thing cannot be said for sewer lines. Sewer lines by design are invisible, and many homeowners don’t see them as their responsibility. However, a clogged sewer line can cause more damage than even the most stubbornly clogged sink. Clogged sewer lines can cause sewage to back up into a home’s drains and cause significant damage to your home’s plumbing, not to mention create a health hazard for your family.

Fixing a clogged sewer line is not easy and usually involves a sewer line expert, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t recognize a problem when you see one. A proper diagnosis needs to be performed by an expert with a sewer line inspection camera and other equipment, but there are still signs you should be looking for. Here are a few ways you can tentatively diagnose a clogged sewer line.

If you have just one clogged drain in your home, the problem is usually with the drain itself. Drains get clogged fairly easily, especially when you’re not careful about what goes down them. On the other hand, several clogged drains usually means that you have a deeper problem that goes down to the main sewer line. Look at all the plumbing fixtures in your home, especially your toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers. If more than one is backed up, it’s time to call a professional plumber to see if you need to have your sewer line repaired.

Strange sounds coming from your home can mean many things, including plumbing problems. Listen closely the next time you run your washing machine or any other appliance that uses a lot of water. If you notice that your toilet is making a “percolating” sound like a coffee pot, you may have a problem. You may also hear a gurgling sound after using the drains in your home. These sounds usually mean that you have a problem with your plumbing that may or may not go down to your home’s main sewer line.

YOU HAVE SEVERAL BACKED UP DRAINS

YOU HEAR STRANGE SOUNDS COMING FROM YOUR HOME

If your home was built after 1978 and is connected to a main sewer line, you probably have a sewer clean out on the side of your house. It will be a white pipe that provides easy access to the main sewer line, and it should be tightly sealed with a rubber cap. Look for this pipe if you suspect that you have a problem with a sewer line and unscrew the cap. If you notice drainage in the pipe, it means that the sewer line is backed up.

Older sewer lines are extremely vulnerable to being clogged by tree roots. What happens is that the sewer line is so old and fragile that they are penetrated by tree roots that stop the flow of water and waste. This is obviously a major problem that takes some time to fix, but you can at least get a good idea that it is happening if you can see tree roots in your drains. They may be hard for you to see, but if you do see them it’s time to call a plumber.

YOU SEE DRAINAGE AT YOUR HOME’S SEWER CLEAN OUT

YOU CAN SEE ROOTS IN YOUR DRAINS

These signs usually mean that you have an issue with your home’s sewer line, but proper diagnosis should be made by a professional. Modern technology has made diagnosing and fixing many issues easier than ever before. The most common and useful diagnostic tool that plumbers have is a sewer line inspection camera. These flexible cameras can snake down a drain and get a great image of whatever is clogging a drain or sewer line. Many homeowners even request this service when they contact a plumber.

Actually repairing a damaged sewer line has become easier thanks to trenchless sewer repair. In the past, replacing a sewer line involved digging a long trench that basically destroyed lawns and any landscaping that had been done, but most trenchless sewer repair techniques only involve digging only a few holes to gain access to a sewer line’s problem area. In some cases, only one hole is necessary. Trenchless sewer repair typically involves lining a pipe with a tough resin that hardens into a new pipe. The existing sewer line often doesn’t need to be removed at all. The holes that are dug are quickly filled in, and any landscaping is preserved as much as possible.

DIAGNOSING AND FIXING A DAMAGED SEWER LINE

Repairing a damaged sewer line may be easier than it’s been in the past, but it’s still a hassle for homeowners, and it becomes more difficult the longer a problem persists. If you suspect that you have a clogged sewer line, contact a sewer line expert as soon as possible to avoid really costly repairs.

CONTACT A PROFESSIONAL ASAP

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