The Warning Signs of a Main Sewer Line Blockage

The main sewer line is what connects your home to the municipal sewer system if you live in the city. All of the water that goes down the drain or toilet flows through the main sewer line, and eventually to the wastewater treatment plant. As you can imagine, any blockage in the main sewer line necessitates a call to a plumbing contractor in Columbus, IN. This post will teach you a few of the signs that it’s time to make that call:

  • Slow-draining sinks and tubs: The number one sign of a sewer line blockage is slow-draining appliances throughout the whole house. A disruption in the sewer line means the water can’t properly flow out of your home, which leads to slow drains. If only one drain is slow, it could just be a problem with that particular drain and not the sewer line.
  • Constant need to plunge: If you find yourself plunging the toilet more often than usual, you might be dealing with a blockage down in the sewer line and not a problem with the toilet. If you frequently have to unclog multiple toilets in the house, you almost assuredly have a blockage in the sewer line.
  • Backups: Since your entire plumbing system is connected via the main sewer line, you could experience problems with multiple appliances at once if there’s a blockage. For instance, water might back up in a shower if a toilet is flushed. If you’ve experienced this, call a plumbing company in Columbus, IN right away.
  • Gurgling: Invasive tree roots are the leading cause of sewer line blockages, especially in older homes with sewer lines made of clay or concrete. If a tree root is to blame, you’ll often hear a gurgling noise after flushing a toilet or running water in a sink.

What should be done?

Dealing with the problems mentioned above is no way to live. Call a plumbing company in Columbus, IN to take the following actions:

  • Inspection: The first thing your plumber will do is inspect the line to see where the blockage is located and what’s causing it. If you’re lucky, the blockage won’t be in the sewer line at all, and will instead be something related to your home’s plumbing.
  • Clean it out: Assuming it’s the worst-case scenario and there’s a blockage in the line, your plumber will need to clear it out. Professionals can either use an auger or a powerful water jet to remove it.
  • Replace the line: You might need to have a new sewer line installed if the blockage was caused by a tree root. This isn’t the news a homeowner wants to hear, but at least you can rest easy knowing that the line won’t get clogged again anytime soon.

If you think your main sewer line has a clog, call your trusted plumbing contractor in Columbus, IN for assistance. At Barr Plumbing Service, Inc., we have the knowledge, experience and tools to solve any water main issue. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

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