Signs of a clogged drain or sewer line
- Water draining slowly from sinks, tubs or showers.
- Toilets that rise when flushed or gurgle afterwards.
- Bad smells from drains or the yard.
- Several drains backing up at the same time, which often points to the main sewer line.
- Damp or sunken patches in the yard above the sewer line.
Common causes
Inside the house, grease, food scraps, wipes and hair cause most clogs. In the main sewer line, tree roots, settled or broken pipe and buildup over time are common causes.
How plumbers clear and check drains
Depending on the clog, a plumber may use a drain snake, a hydro jetter that clears the pipe with high pressure water, or a camera inspection to see inside the line and find the cause.
Sewer line repair
If a sewer line is cracked, broken or full of roots, the plumber can explain the repair options. Depending on the pipe and its location, these may include trenchless methods that need less digging than replacing the whole line.
What not to do
- Do not keep flushing a toilet that is rising.
- Avoid pouring strong chemical drain cleaners into a fully clogged drain. They can damage pipes and make the plumber's job harder.
Common questions
How do I know if the problem is the main sewer line?
If several fixtures back up at once, or water comes up in a tub or shower when you flush a toilet, the main line is a likely cause. A camera inspection can confirm it.
What is trenchless sewer repair?
It is a group of methods that repair or replace a sewer pipe through small access points instead of digging a trench along the whole line. Whether it suits depends on the pipe.