The sewer line is an extremely important part of a home or a commercial building – one that’s often overlooked until it starts showing signs of damage. The most common problem that happens to sewer lines is clogging. Repair should be done immediately to avoid further complications, so it’s best to have the lines checked out when any of the following signs show up:
Image Source: Flickr
Strange Reactions When Using Fixtures
The next thing to look for when you suspect a sewer drain clog is any unexpected or unusual reactions when using plumbing fixtures.
– Toilets – Toilets have the most direct path to the sewer and the biggest drain line in the house, so if there is a problem with the sewer drain you will notice it here. It is rare to have a main line sewer stoppage and the toilets are working correctly.
– Tub and Shower – Other drains typically affected by a main line stoppage are those in the tub and shower. This is due to the fact that they sit lower down than say a sink drain. Check whether the tub and shower drains are blocked if you suspect a sewer drain clog.
– Flush The Toilet – If flushing the toilet results in water backing up or coming up into the tub or shower this is usually a clear sign of a sewer drain clog. The flushed water that cannot go down the sewer drain flows back up the pipes and comes out at the lowest point which is usually the shower drain.
– Run The Sink – Another strange reaction to look for is trapped air in the plumbing system. Do this by running water in the sink closest to the toilet for a minute or so. If the toilet bubbles or you can see the water level in the toilet rising then the clog is very likely in the main sewer line and not in the toilet.
– Washing Machine – An unexpected sign of a sewer drain clog can happen when you run the wash machine. If the water draining out of the washing machine causes the toilet to overflow or backs up into the tub or shower it could be the sewer main.
Note: This could just be a washing machine and shower problem and not a sewer drain clog. If the toilets are still flushing fine while this occurs then this is likely due to a washing machine stoppage and not a sewer main. Source: About
Awful Sewage Smell Coming From Your Drains Ltd.
If your main line is backed up, then your drains will smell of raw sewage–and it’s not pleasant smell so you can’t miss it. Source: RagsdaleAir
Slow-Running Drains Ltd.
One of the clearest signs of blocked sewers is slow-running drains, especially if you’ve noticed this problem for a while. You may find the toilets hard to flush, and soap scum collecting in the bathtub, which is caused by slow draining, may be a chronic problem. The water level in a toilet may change by itself; it may be normal immediately after flushing and abnormally low a few hours later. If you have basement drains, you may find white deposits around them caused by water backing up and pooling, then draining again. You may also notice an increased incidence of rats and other pests, which are attracted to the overflowing water. Source: eHow
Repairing issues in the sewer line is best left to the professionals. Contact us!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains Ltd.
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
(604) 360-2114
