A clogged sewer drain can mean more than just an inconvenient trip to the hardware store. In addition to being inconvenient, a clogged sewer can pose a serious health hazard to your home or office. Sewer clogs are not only unsightly and difficult to clear but can also be harmful to your home’s occupants. When your drains become clogged, water cannot flow through to the sewer main and back to the treatment plant. This can result in raw sewage backing up into your home or backyard and pose a serious health hazard. If not addressed quickly and properly, it can even lead to flooding and a very expensive cleanup. If you suspect your home has a clogged sewer, there are several things you can do to prevent serious complications and protect your home and belongings.

Check your water meter

The first step in identifying and preventing a sewer clog is to check your water meter. A water meter records the flow of water through your home’s main water line. If your water bill is unusually high, it could be a sign of a problem. If your water meter is indicating an unusually high flow rate, it could indicate a clogged sewer line. If your water meter indicates a flow rate that is significantly higher than normal, you’ll need to get the problem addressed as soon as possible.

Check your sewer line for damage

If your water meter indicates a high flow rate, you may want to check the sewer line for damage. Damage to the sewer line can cause a clog, and a clogged sewer line can cause your water meter to indicate an unusually high flow rate. To check for damage, you can use a sewer auger. This device is designed to unclog a sewer line by drilling into the clog and freeing the pipe. If your sewer line has been damaged, you may want to call a plumber to repair it. If a plumber has not damaged your sewer line, it is likely that your home has suffered some type of flooding event. This flooding can cause a clog in the sewer line.

Check your septic tank for damage

If your home has a septic tank, you may want to check the tank for damage. If a home’s septic tank is leaking, it can cause a clog in the sewer line and a high flow rate in the water meter. If the septic tank has been damaged, you may want to contact a plumber to repair the tank. If you suspect that the tank has been damaged, you can also use the same sewer auger you used to check your sewer line for damage. If the septic tank is leaking, the leaking water can cause a clog in your sewer line.

Check for tree roots in the sewer line

If your home is located in a forested area, you may be at risk of having tree roots clog your sewer line. While most types of trees will not grow large enough to clog your sewer line, certain species of trees can grow large enough to cause a clog in your sewer line. If you live in an area with a forest of trees, you may want to keep an eye on your water bill and sewer line for any signs of a problem.If you notice a significant increase in your water or sewer bill, you should call a plumber to have the sewer line inspected and possibly unclogged.

Conclusion

A clogged sewer is a serious and costly problem. It can lead to serious health hazards and damage to your home or office. If you suspect your sewer line has been clogged, there are several things you can do to prevent serious complications and protect your home and belongings. The first step in identifying and preventing a clogged sewer is to check your water meter. If your water meter indicates a high flow rate, you may want to check the sewer line for damage. If the sewer line has been damaged, you may want to contact a plumber to repair it.

Frequently Asked Question

  • Loosen the cap on the drain pipe
  • Allow any sewer buildup to come out of the drain
  • Gently feed the auger cable into the main line drain
  • Run the auger until the clog is broken up
  • Hose out leftover debris
  • Pull the auger cable back out of the main line drain
A good general rule is to have your home's sewer lines cleaned out every 18 to 22 months. That may be difficult to remember, but think of it as a year and a half to slightly less than two years
Consider using a sewer jetter to clean and remove dirt, sand, and yard debris that clog the foundation perimeter drain tile outside your home. A sewer jetter that's powered by your pressure washer can help you flush away the silt and debris so fewer clogs come back.
Perimeter drains or weeping tiles can last for decades. If properly installed, you can expect to have a problem free basement for a very long time. Older clay weeping tiles tended to deteriorate, and become clogged with soil and tree roots, but even these systems lasted for many years.