Do you suspect that you have a clogged drain? Are you unsure of what indicates a clogged drain or sewer line and if you need a plumbing service to fix it? Well, stop wondering!
In this article, we’ll tell you how to diagnose a clogged sewer line: what the signs are and what to do after you’ve identified a blockage.
The Importance of Diagnosing A Clogged Sewer Line
So, before we show you how to diagnose a clogged sewer line, it is important to understand why it is critical to make sure your sewer lines are clear and unclogged.
Clogged sewer lines can lead to some serious health issues and concerns. With a clogged sewer line, wastewater does not have a proper point of exit, which means that it can rise back up and flood all your other plumbing lines.
With the overflow of wastewater, this becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which can spread diseases and viruses that back up into your plumbing facilities.
Moreover, standing wastewater can also breed pests like mosquitoes and other insects. Mildew and mould can also grow in your home if wastewater is not properly drained.
Structural damage is also a possibility, as water backflow can soak into the foundations and ruin the structural integrity of the house.
Therefore, it is critical that you treat clogged sewer lines as soon as possible, especially before using any other plumbing facilities which may suffer as a result of them.
Indicators Of A Clogged Sewer Line
There are different indicators that your sewer line is clogged, all of which can be tested out in different ways.
One main indicator of a clogged sewer line is when all of your plumbing fixtures are backed up simultaneously. These fixtures include toilets, showers, or bathtubs.
However, toilets are usually the first plumbing fixture to be affected, so start by examining the toilet first.
Another indicator of a clogged sewer line is when your plumbing fixtures are emitting suspicious sounds or behaviour.
Low lying drains and fixtures are often the first to be backed up because once the main sewer drain or line is clogged, the backups begin moving up, leading to the lowest drains.
Examining each plumbing fixture will help you gauge the presence of a clogged sewer line. Here are some tips to tell for each type of plumbing fixture:
1). Toilets
As previously mentioned, toilets are usually the first types of plumbing fixtures to be backed up.
This is because they use the biggest drainpipes and have the most direct connection to the main drain, which makes them more susceptible to experiencing plumbing problems first.
If a toilet is not flushing properly or if the water makes a gurgling noise when there is water running down a washing machine, sink, or bathtub drain, then this is a clear sign that there is a drainage problem.
2). Bathtub and Showers
Bathtubs and showers are also known to have low lying drains, which makes them susceptible to drainage problems from sewer lines.
You can check to see if your bathtub or shower is clogged if they become filled with wastewater that does not go down the drain.
3). Sinks
Trapped air is a common indicator of a clogged sewer line. You can often gauge the presence of trapped air by running water into a sink and then seeing if the toilet water gurgles or rises up.
4). Washing Machines
Washing machines can also reveal indicators of a clogged sewer line. They exhibit the same indicators that sinks do: if water draining out of the washing machine leads to an overflowing toilet or a backed-up bathtub or shower, then the sewer line is most likely clogged.
However, it is also important to note that if the toilet does not have problems flushing when draining water out of the machine, then this may just be a washing machine and shower problem, not a sewer drainage problem.
What Do I Do Next?
Once you’ve been able to determine that your sewer lines are indeed clogged, avoid adding more water to the drain system by not running water and not flushing the toilet.
You can also shut the main water supply in the house off to avoid this from happening.
After you’ve done all of these things, call a professional plumber to help assist you and clear up the drain. They will have all the necessary specialised equipment to help remove large clogs from big sewer drains.
Final Thoughts
As we can see, if you don’t treat your sewer line blockage promptly or properly, it can lead to a myriad of very unpleasant issues.
If you aren’t sure how to diagnose or treat the problem yourself, then it’s best to call a licensed plumber to do the job for you.
If you are looking for a trustworthy and reliable plumbing service in Melbourne, then look no further than Austest Pipeline Solutions.
We have more than 20 years’ experience in domestic, commercial, and industrial plumbing with water leak detection our speciality.
Please call us today for all your plumbing needs on 0410 609 961 or contact us here.