A New Kitchen

4 Warning Signs Of An Impending Sewer Backup

5 November 2015

Elizabeth Mendoza

Think of your sewer line as a huge superhighway and everything that uses water in your home as an on-ramp that feeds directly into it. Like most major highways, all it takes is a single problem for backups to begin. And just like a traffic jam, a backed-up sewer line can be a major pain to deal with (although a traffic jam isn't as expensive).

If you want to avoid the stress and hassle of a major repair and cleanup, then you'll want to keep an eye out on these common warning signs of an impending sewer backup.

Your Toilet Takes Forever to Flush

If you've recently noticed that your toilet is flushing slower than usual, then you may have an impending sewer line problem on your hands. But before you start worrying, you'll want to make sure it isn't a problem that's local to the toilet itself:

• Try plunging the toilet first. According to The Family Handyman, 90 percent of toilet clogs can be taken care of with this simple step. Place the plunger flange into the drain and gently thrust the plunger inward to allow trapped air to escape. Afterwards, plunge vigorously until the clog has cleared.
• As a last resort, use a drain snake to manually break up clogs. Feed the snake into the toilet until you can either feel the clog or the snake reaches the end of its travel. Rotate the snake clockwise so that the tip burrows through and breaks up the clog.

If you did not have any luck with the above steps, then you may be dealing with a serious sewer line problem.

Multiple Clogged Drains

Just about anything can cause a clogged drain, from grease and toilet paper to hair and small toys. Dealing with one clogged drain is no big deal, but if you have noticed several drains are clogged simultaneously, then you may have a major problem on your hands. If the clogged drains include those that are seldom used (such as a guest bathroom sink or a basement drain), then you'll want to get a hold of your plumber as soon as possible.

Using One Drain Causes Others to Back Up

Using your bathroom sink shouldn't cause water to back into your bathtub or toilet, but it can happen if you're dealing with a serious sewer line problem. This usually indicates that there's a clog or blockage somewhere within the main sewer line, forcing water to go elsewhere instead of traveling along the sewer line.

If you hear bubbling or gurgling sounds from your shower or bathtub when you flush the toilet or if you see water trickling out of your kitchen sink faucet as you use your washing machine, then chances are you have a backed-up sewer line on your hands.

You See Bubbles When Flushing or Draining

Bubbles are yet another common sign of potential sewer line problems. This is usually due to air becoming trapped against the blockage in question. When water rushes into the drain, the trapped air is consequently forced out, resulting in bubbles coming out of the drain.

You can check this warning sign for yourself by doing the following:

• Fill up your tub, sink and shower with a couple of inches of water. Remove the drain stopper and watch for bubbles as the water drains out.
• Make sure your toilet is full and flush. While flushing, take a close look for signs of bubbling and gurgling.

If you see either sign, then you'll want to talk to your plumber about having your sewer line inspected and, if necessary, cleaned or repaired.

Share

Search