A clogged main sewer line is probably the most unpleasant and messy emergency plumbing situations someone can face. The main sewer line is underground and runs from the house out to the street where it connects to the municipal sewer mains. Every plumbing fixture in the home is connected to the main sewer line. It carries wastewater away from the toilet, shower, laundry and every drain sink in the house.
Sewer mains can get clogged in a number of ways. One cause of main sewer clogs is a buildup of foreign matter that has been washed down the drains inside the home. Grease and oil from the kitchen sink is a major issue for sewer pipes. Grease can act like glue inside plumbing pipes, binding together debris and forming clogs in the sewer line. Wet-wipes and sanitary items that have been flushed down the toilet are often found inside clogged sewer lines.
Other causes of blockages in the sewer main include tree roots or damaged pipework. Because sewer lines are under ground, tree roots can penetrate cracks or loose joints. Main sewer lines contain moisture and minerals that tree roots seek out. The soil surrounding sewer lines can also shift or move over the years, resulting in sagging or bellied sewer pipes or even collapsed pipes.
Symptoms of a clogged sewer main
Catching a main sewer line clog early on can protect your home from damage. As mentioned, all the plumbing fixtures in the home are linked to the main sewer line. If you notice anything unusual when using these fixtures it could indicate a blocked sewer. It’s usually the fixtures closest to the sewer line that will start having issues first. Below are some things to looks for:
Toilet not functioning correctly: The toilets in your home have the most direct line to the main sewer pipes and, therefore, toilets are often the first plumbing fixture that will be impacted. You may notice that the toilet fills up with water when flushed, or drains very slowly. Sometimes the toilet may not flush at all. You may also hear gurgling sounds in the toilet when using other plumbing fixtures such as the sink or shower drain.
Multiple fixtures clogging up: A toilet is normally the first fixture to experience problems due to a main sewer line clog. However, a blocked sewer can also impact other plumbing fixtures in the home, particularly low lying drains such as shower drains and floor wastes. If you notice slow draining or overflowing wastewater in multiple plumbing fixtures it’s important to call a plumber to check if there is a clog in the sewer main.
Sewer gas smells in the bathroom or house: If you can smell unpleasant sewer smells coming from drain openings around the house this is a telltale sign of a blocked sewer. A stoppage in the main sewer line means that these sewer gasses can build up inside the pipes and escape from drain openings in the home.
Wet areas or unexplained green patches on the lawn: A clogged sewer that is caused by a collapsed or broken pipe may cause sewage to overflow in the yard. This will cause wet or sludgy areas of soil and the grass will normally grow much greener in these areas.
What to do when there’s a main sewer line clog
When a main sewer line gets blocked it is not a DIY plumbing situation. Any repairs to the main sewer line must be conducted by a licensed plumber. Clogged sewers are considered plumbing emergencies and should be dealt with as soon as possible.
A failure to act quickly can result in raw sewage overflowing in the backyard or even flowing out of plumbing fixtures within the home. Untreated sewage is a health concern because it often carries harmful bacterias and diseases. If you encounter overflowing sewage at your home do not touch it directly and call an emergency plumber immediately. To minimise the likelihood of an overflow, do not use any of the plumbing fixtures in your home until the issue has been looked at by a local plumber.
A blocked drain plumber can assist with a clogged sewer in the following ways:
CCTV sewer camera inspection: Because the main sewer line is located underground, the plumber will use a special plumbing camera to determine what’s happening inside the drain pipes. A sewer camera is a small, purpose built camera attached to a flexible cable that can easily navigate bends in the sewer line. The high-resolution footage is transmitted to a monitor controlled by the plumber. Using the video footage, the plumber will be able to recommend the most suitable repairs for the clogged sewer.
High-pressure drain cleaning: If the inspection uncovers a clogged sewer caused by wet-wipes, oil and sanitary items they will most likely recommend high-pressure drain cleaning with a jet blaster machine. Jet blasters use powerful streams of water to flush pipes clear from sediment. They use no chemicals and are completely safe for plumbing pipes. Jet blasting may also be used for minor tree-root intrusion. However, if the roots have managed to enter the pipes previously, they will eventually grow back unless the crack or loose joint where they entered is repaired.
Repair or replace damaged pipes: When the main sewer line is damaged the pipe may need to be excavated and repaired. Depending on the nature and extend of the damage, the drain plumber may need to excavate a small area of the pipe or replace the entire line. Pipe relining is another option that may be offered in suitable scenarios.
Jason Bonanno of JAB plumbing Solutions repairing a clogged sewer line. Photo credit - The Daily Telegraph on July 2, 2020 📸: Justin Lloyd
Call the blocked drain experts
JAB Plumbing Solutions are leading drainage experts located in Sydney. We have developed a reputation for offering our Sydney clients unmatched service when it comes to drainage, including high-pressure drain cleaning, CCTV sewer inspections and main sewer line repairs. To find out more information call us today on 1800 225 552.
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