
Your sewer line affects every plumbing system in your Georgia home. When a blockage occurs, it can wreak havoc on the entire house. From suddenly seeing water rushing up from your drain to swampy messes in your yard, the effects often make themselves known all over your property. Keep reading to learn the signs of a completely blocked sewer line, when to call a professional, and how to know when replacement is necessary.
Signs of a Completely Blocked Sewer Line
When a blockage occurs in your sewer line, you’ll often notice warning signs throughout your entire home. Knowing what to look for can help you catch the issue early on to prevent worsening damage. If you notice any of the following, contact a plumber as soon as possible:
- Overflowing toilets and drains: If your sewer line is completely blocked, you could see water overflowing from your toilets, drains, and showers. Flushing the toilet could even cause water to suddenly rush out of a separate drain like your bathtub.
- Strange odors: If you notice unpleasant smells coming from your sink, bathtub, or drains, that’s a good indicator that your sewer line is blocked. When a block occurs, sewer gases have nowhere to go and seep back into your home.
- Outdoor flooding: When your sewer water has nowhere to go, it’ll often back up into your yard. You may notice soggy patches or large areas of standing water on your property.
- Persistent gurgling: If you constantly hear gurgling or bubbling sounds from your drains after flushing the toilet or using the tap, a blockage may be causing air to escape from the pipes.
- Bright green grass: While seeing your yard covered in bright green, healthy grass may be a pleasant sight, it can indicate an underlying blockage. When wastewater leaks out of your sewer line due to a blockage, the nutrients act as fertilizer, causing patches of lush, vibrant grass.
- Multiple clogged fixtures: While one clogged drain may be a minor issue, multiple are often a sign of a severe blockage. If your toilet, sinks, and showers all back up at the same time, it’s probably time to contact a professional.
- Sewage backup in your home: If you have a severe blockage, you may see sewage back up into your floor drains, basements, or fixtures.
Top Causes of a Clogged Sewer Line
Several culprits can result in a blockage in your sewer line, from buildup to aging. Some of the most common causes of sewer backups include:
- Broken pipes: When sewer pipes crack or rupture, sewage can’t properly drain through the line, eventually leading to a blockage.
- Tree roots: It’s common for tree roots to grow into and around your sewer pipes as they search for nutrients and moisture. If they make their way into the pipe, they can cause a blockage that completely restricts sewage flow.
- Flushing unsafe products: Toilets have a direct path to your main sewer line. Putting non-flushable items, such as feminine hygiene products, toys, food, and diapers, down the toilet will eventually cause a blockage in your sewer line as they build up over time.
- Grease and oil: Like flushing the wrong products, putting grease and oil down your sink can lead to a blockage in your sewer line. Once these liquids go down your drain, they cool and solidify in the pipes, blocking sewage flow.
- An aging system: Over time, your pipes may collapse, crack, or corrode due to age, causing your sewage to back up and eventually causing a blockage.
When Sewer Line Replacement Becomes Necessary
While you can solve some sewer line damages with repair, others may require replacement. If you suspect you have a blocked main sewer line, contact a reputable plumber like Ricky Heath as soon as possible. They’ll perform a noninvasive inspection to determine the cause and severity of the issue.
Common issues that indicate the need for sewer line replacement include:
- Extensive pipe damage: Severely cracked, collapsed, or corroded pipes often require replacement to ensure proper function.
- Frequent problems: If you’re constantly dealing with clogs, backups, or leaks in your sewer line, replacement offers a long-term solution to cut down your maintenance and repair costs.
- An aging system: Depending on the pipe material, your sewer line can last anywhere from 50 to 100 years. If your system is nearing the end of its lifespan, it may be time for replacement.
- Severe tree root intrusion: Replacement is often the only solution if tree roots have invaded and taken over your pipes.
- Health concerns: Severe damage to your sewer line can cause leaks or contamination, posing a serious health risk to your household. If this happens, replacing the line is essential to ensure your family’s safety.
Call Ricky Heath for Sewer Line Service in Georgia!
There’s no time to waste when your sewer line is blocked. Contact the team at Ricky Heath for an emergency sewer line inspection to determine the culprit and discover the best course of action. We take into account your sewer line age and condition to determine the most cost-effective solution for your property. With over 30 years of experience serving the Macon area, you can trust that we’ll provide lasting results that keep your sewer line in top condition for years to come.
Call us or book online to schedule your sewer line service today! We’re available around the clock, so you can count on us to be there when disaster strikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to unclog a main sewer line?
The amount of time it takes to unclog a main sewer line depends on the type and severity of the clog. Our team can clear minor issues in as little as an hour, while major blockages may take several hours. If your line requires replacement, the process could take one or more days.
Do you need a permit for a sewer line replacement?
You will generally require a permit for sewer line replacement, depending on your location. Our team will handle the permitting process to ensure everything is in line with local regulations.
Can I prevent sewer line blockages?
The best way to prevent sewer line blockages is to schedule annual maintenance. During the appointment, our team will inspect your system for damages or potential issues that may cause a blockage and repair them before they progress. In addition, you can prevent blockages by using drain strainers, avoiding flushing non-biodegradable items, disposing of grease and food scraps properly, and keeping plants away from the line.
Do you offer drain clearings?
Yes! We proudly offer comprehensive sewer and drain services to residents in Macon and surrounding areas. Whether you require a drain clearing, cleaning, camera inspection, or any other service, our team is on-call and ready to help!