How To Tell If You Have a Drain Clog Or a Sewer Line Backup
Water pooling in your bathtub or sink could be a simple drain clog, but it may also be a sewer line backup. At first glance, it’s hard to tell the difference. However, there are clear warning signs that can help you identify the problem. Here are ways you can tell if you have a localized clog or a sewer backup.
What Is a Drain Clog?
A drain clog is a clog within a specific pipe, causing water to pool at a single fixture, like a sink, tub, or shower. Some examples of localized clogs include:
- Kitchen sink clog from a build up of oil, grease, and food waste
- Toilet clog from too much toilet paper or non-flushable items, like tissues
- Bathroom sink clog from hair, toothpaste, or soap scum
- Bathtub or shower clog from hair or soap scum
- Floor drain clog in laundry rooms from lint, debris, or dirt
Localized clogs rarely happen all at once; they typically develop gradually as debris continues to build up. There are various ways clogs form. Sometimes, accumulation of debris takes place. Other times, grease or oil binds to food waste and forms a sticky mass. Either way, that mass grows until it eventually blocks any water flow.
Signs You Have a Drain Clog
Here are some obvious signs you have a clog at a specific drain or fixture in your home.
- Slow drainage or none at all: If you notice water lingering in your sink, tub, or shower, you have problems with drainage. If the clog is particularly bad, the water won’t go down at all. A drain clog occurs at just one drain.
- Gurgling sound from a specific drain: A gurgling sound usually indicates that air is trapped and that water flow is restricted. While water may still go down your drain, a gurgling sound typically means you will have limited to no drainage in the near future.
- Water backing up in one drain: Water emerging from one drain means your blockage is further down the pipe. It’s still a localized drain issue, though.
- Temporary improvement after plunging: If you see a temporary improvement after plunging, pouring a vinegar/baking soda mix down the drain, or using hot water, then you have a localized clog.
- Odors: If you smell persistent odors coming from one drain, there’s a clog within your pipe that’s starting to rot.
What Is a Sewer Line Backup?
A sewer like backup occurs when wastewater flows back into your home rather than exiting the sewer line and going to the septic tank or the municipal sewer line in the street. It’s important to understand that all the drains in your home connect to the main sewer line. So, when your main sewer line clogs up, whether it’s from debris, tree roots, or oil, your wastewater can’t exit and is forced back into your home.
The main difference between a clog and a sewer backup is that sewer backups affect all your drains at once, rather than just one. For this reason, having a sewer backup is a plumbing emergency.
- Health risks: Sewer backups bring sewage and wastewater back into your sinks, tubs, and showers. Unfortunately, this wastewater contains bacteria and viruses.
- Property damage: Wastewater can damage your floors, walls, and furniture. And since it contains bacteria, you may have to discard certain items, like baby bedding, if they become contaminated.
- The problem quickly worsens: A sewer main line backup doesn’t get better on its own. You will need professional plumbers to fix the problem.
Reasons for Sewer Line Backups
Roots from large trees seeking water will find a way to penetrate your underground pipes through small cracks or joints. Another reason could be old or deteriorating sewer lines. Over time, sewer lines may deteriorate, crack, or simply collapse, significantly hindering the flow of water.
The build up of debris can also cause a backup. Debris may gradually clog your main sewer line, preventing wastewater from exiting. And sometimes, the reason is external. Municipal sewer systems can flood during heavy rains, limiting the amount of wastewater that can enter.
Signs of a Sewer Line Backup
These signs often indicate you have a sewer backup on your property.
- All the drains in your home back up simultaneously.
- You notice sewage smells coming from all your drains or your yard.
- There are gurgling noises throughout your plumbing system, not just one drain.
- There are lush, green patches in the yard along the path of the sewer line.
- You notice pest infestations near the damaged sewer line entry points.
Why Sewer Line Backups Are Dangerous
Besides contaminating your property and creating health risks, sewer backups can damage your home’s foundation. This often leads to costly repairs and replacement costs for your drywall, furniture, and flooring.
Wastewater also releases toxic gases, such as methane and hydrogen sulfide. Exposure to these gases can result in headaches and dizziness.
Steps to Take If You Have a Sewer Line Backup
If you suspect you have a sewer backup, there are immediate steps you should take.
- Stop using your water: Turn off all your water faucets, such as your sinks and showers, and don’t use any of your toilets.
- Turn of the main water line: Next, turn off the main water supply to prevent any more water from entering your home.
- Avoid contact: If there is wastewater in your home or on your property, make sure to avoid coming into contact with it. Be sure to keep children and pets away from any contaminated areas as well.
- Ventilate your home: Open all your windows to let the toxic gases out.
- Call our plumbers: Call our plumbers immediately. We respond fast, especially when there’s an emergency. In fact, if there’s any delay it’s YOU we pay.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbers Can Help!
If you have a sewer line backup, you have an emergency; and it’s time to call our plumbers. We can arrive quickly with professional tools to inspect the damage. Once our cameras identify what the problem is, we will present you with the best repair or replacement options.
If you have a drain clog, we can help with that too. We offer snaking, hydrojettting, and other safe techniques to remove your clog.
Don’t hesitate to contact the plumbers at Benjamin Franklin. We’re courteous, professional, and on time. Remember, if there’s any delay it’s YOU we pay!
