Warning signs your sewer main is backing up
Zeek Plumbing responds to sewer main backups on an almost daily basis. Customers typically notice a clogged tub drain or a toilet first, without realizing there is a bigger issue at hand. A sewer main backup can cause significant damage to your home or property if not handled quickly and properly. Sewage will come up through your shower drains, toilets will not flush, and sewer water can flood your home.
Multiple backups in the plumbing around your home
If several sinks, shower drains, and toilets are all draining slow and backing up this is typically the biggest giveaway that your sewer main is clogged. All of your drains run through the sewer main. If the main becomes clogged, it will back up the drains/lines that are connected to it.
Bubbling or gurgling sounds coming from the drain
Air pockets inside your drains and sewer main cause the bubbling and gurgling noises. If your sewer main is completely clogged it will block all water flow through the pipe. Sometimes you will get bubbles or air pockets that work through the clog and float through the line. If you are hearing bubbles or gurgling noises when you are not running any water then you may have a sewer main backup starting to form.
Another drain backs up when using a fixture (faucet, toilet, shower)
For example, if you were to flush your toilet and then water was coming up from another bathroom shower drain. You may also see your sinks or toilets start to overflow when running the washing machine. The water is draining to the next open line because it cannot pass the backup.
Older Homes vs Newer Homes
The older the home/property is the more likely it is to have a tree that has crushed or broken a sewer line. If any moisture or condensation is around any pipes, tree roots will begin to grow in that direction.
Flushing wipes or paper towels down the drain
As explained in another Zeek Plumbing blog post, flushable wipes are not “flushable”. The more paper towels and wipes you flush down your drain, the more likely you will have a sewer main backup. We advise our customers to never flush anything down the toilet besides toilet paper and human waste. All other objects, paper, fabric, garbage, etc. should never be flushed down the toilet. Paper towels and wipes will flush fine, but they do not break down easily in your pipes. A backup will form if the toilet paper reaches an incorrectly pitched line. Refer to the picture below of paper towels one of our crews recently removed from a sewer main.
If you are experiencing any of these signs and would like to have a licensed plumber snake your drain, please call 866-635-0200. Our Book Online Form is also available to schedule your drain snaking service.
