A sewer line is one of the most important components of your home. It carries waste and other materials away from your home so that they don’t accumulate and pollute the surrounding soil and groundwater. When your sewer line becomes clogged, this means that waste and other materials are instead backing up into the home through a home's plumbing system. This can result in unpleasant and dangerous conditions for the occupants of the home. Fortunately, most sewer line issues are quick and easy to fix with the right tools and know-how. However, the longer that your home's drains are left untreated, the more serious the consequences become. In extreme cases, a clogged sewer line can result in raw sewage flooding your property. If this happens, it is important to act quickly so that your home is not damaged further by the rising water. It may also be necessary to put a protective order on your home while it is being re-piped or de-clogged. If you suspect that you have a clogged sewer line, it is essential to act quickly and get it fixed as soon as possible. Here are 3 signs that will let you know if your sewer line is clogged:

Water coming up from the toilet

If you flush the toilet and water comes up from the toilet bowl instead of going down the drain, it is likely that your sewer line is clogged. When a toilet becomes clogged, it causes water to back up into the pipe and travel up toward the house. This can happen if the toilet is not getting enough water to flush completely. This can be caused by a variety of things including tree roots growing into the sewer line, debris entering the line, or an incorrectly sized trap that is not blocking the flow of water away from the house. If you notice that water is coming up from the toilet, the best thing to do is to contact a plumber immediately so that the problem can be addressed. If you do not have any way to contact the plumber, you can try to unclog the toilet by putting a bucket underneath the toilet and then opening and closing the lid to see if this temporarily unclogs the line. If it does not unclog the toilet, you will need to call a plumber.

Water coming up from the sink

If water is coming up from the sink but not coming down the drain, it is likely that the sewer line is clogged. This can happen if food and other debris are backing up into the line and preventing the water from flowing through the pipes. If this happens, it is important to shut off the water to the house to prevent further damage. Then, you will need to call a plumber to come out and unclog the line. If you cannot get a plumber out to unclog the line right away, there are a few things that you can do to try to unclog the line yourself. First, you can try to use a shovel to break up any roots or debris that may be clogging the line. This may help to loosen the material in the line and make it easier to flush through. If this does not help, you can try to use a plumbing auger to unclog the line. These are large auger-shaped tools that can be used to clear debris from the line.

Stink or bad smell coming from the drains

If you notice a particularly bad smell coming from the drains or if you notice a bad smell around the house but it is not coming from the drains, it is likely that the sewer line is clogged. This can happen if food and other debris are blocking the line and preventing water from flowing through. If this happens, it is important to shut off the water to the house to prevent further damage. Then, you will need to call a plumber to come out and unclog the line. If you cannot get a plumber out to unclog the line right away, there are a few things that you can do to try to unclog the line yourself. First, you can try to use a shovel to break up any roots or debris that may be clogging the line. This may help to loosen the material in the line and make it easier to flush through. If this does not help, you can try to use a plumbing auger to unclog the line. These are large auger-shaped tools that can be used to clear debris from the line.

Conclusion

A sewer line is one of the most important components of your home. It carries waste and other materials away from your home so that they don't accumulate and pollute the surrounding soil and groundwater. When your sewer line becomes clogged, this means that waste and other materials are instead backing up into the home through a home's plumbing system. This can result in unpleasant and dangerous conditions for the occupants of the home. Fortunately, most sewer line issues are quick and easy to fix with the right tools and know-how. However, the longer that your home's drains are left untreated, the more serious the consequences become. In extreme cases, a clogged sewer line can result in raw sewage flooding your property. If this happens, it is important to act quickly so that your home is not damaged further by the rising water. It may also be necessary to put a protective order on your home while it is being re-piped or de-clogged.

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.