You probably know that your sewer line helps transport wastewater from your home to underground sewer mains. Beyond that, most homeowners give little thought to their sewer lines until they have some type of clog.

Just like your drainpipes, your main sewer line can become clogged and cause sewage backups in your home. If just one toilet, sink, or bathtub is giving you problems, it may just be a clogged drain. However, if every flush creates a sewage backup in your home, the problem may be your main sewer line. If you find yourself frequently needing to call a plumber to “snake out” the pipes in your home, it may be hinting at a larger, more serious issue. Never fear, we can help you fix a clogged or damaged sewer line so that you don’t have to keep putting “band-aids” on the problem.

Be Careful What You Flush

Because prevention is key, I want to talk to you about some of the most common causes of sewer line problems. Most sewer clogs can be prevented by avoiding flushing objects like facial tissues, napkins, and diapers down your toilet. You may also want to avoid pouring grease and oil– which starts as a liquid but will turn into a solid once cool– down the drain.

Getting to the Root of the Problem

Another common cause of home sewer backups is tree roots blocking and causing damage to the sewer line. Even if your yard is mostly tree-free, roots from a neighbor’s yard could cause you an issue. If your home is older, your sewer backup could simply be caused by cracked or collapsed lines. Although many newer homes have plastic sewer lines, older homes were built using cast iron and clay piping that can break down over time.

No, Reset Button When It Comes to Sewers

When it comes to your sewer line, my best advice is to be proactive. Frequent backups and damage to your sewer line may seem like something you can stick on the backburner; I urge you not to. The last thing you want is raw sewage backing up into your bathtubs and sinks, both an unpleasant experience and can cause significant property damage.

Warning Signs

How do you know if you have sewer line damage? A few warning signs include stinky smells coming from drains, slow draining, gurgling pipes, and other fixtures associated with your main line that led to water backup in places such as toilets or showers. If you spot any or all of these symptoms, call us right away.

When something’s wrong with your sewer line, it can often mean major repairs need to be done which can include digging up your yard and let’s face it, making a big mess of things. If it comes to that, rest assured you’re in good hands. We’ll do our best to fix the problem the right way and get you back to your daily routine as fast as we can.

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