If you’ve ever dealt with a backed-up sewer line, you know it’s an inconvenient nightmare. Your house becomes plagued by slow drains, gurgling toilets, noxious smells, and potentially, harmful sewage back up. But what causes a main sewer line to clog? Living here in Middle Georgia, our homes face some unique challenges when it comes to sewer lines. Understanding what causes these clogs can save you from an expensive disaster. Read on to learn more about sewer line clogs and how Ricky Heath can help.
Common Causes of Main Sewer Line Clogs
There are some common causes of main sewer line clogs in Middle Georgia. Let's dive into them:
- Tree roots: Tree roots are always seeking sources of water, and your sewer system provides a perfect environment for them to grow, causing a significant main sewer line clog. Even the tiniest crack or hole in a sewer line attracted roots. Homes built before the 1980s often have clay or cast-iron pipes that are more susceptible to root intrusion.
- Flushing the wrong materials: Wipes that are marketed as “flushable” are one of the worst things to put down your toilet. They don’t break down like toilet paper and can get stuck in the sewer line. Feminine hygiene products and cotton swabs are also significant contributors.
- Aging pipes: Cast iron and clay pipes were the standard decades ago, but they don't last forever. Cast iron corrodes from the inside out, and clay pipes can crack or collapse under shifting soil. When this happens, the pipes can let debris in, creating blockages.
- Grease and oil buildup: When grease or oil is poured down a drain, it’s in liquid form. But when it cools, it hardens and clings to your pipe’s walls. Over time, this becomes a clogged main sewer line.
- Georgia soil and ground movement: During heavy rains, Georgia clay soil swells, and during drier times, it shrinks. This constant movement can cause pipes to shift, separate at the joints, or even crack.
Signs of a Clogged Main Sewer Line
Knowing the symptoms of a clogged sewer line can help a homeowner catch it before it becomes a full-blown plumbing emergency. Here are the most common signs:
- Bad odors: This is probably the most obvious one. If you smell sewage gases anywhere in your home or your yard, don’t ignore them.
- Multiple slow drains: If you notice your toilet, sinks, and bathtub draining slowly, your main line could have a clog. If you flush your toilet and see water backing up from your tub or hear gurgling sounds, that’s air trying to escape.
- Sewage back-ups: These usually happen in the lowest drains in your basement or a first-floor bathroom. If you see this, call a professional plumber right away.
How to Prevent Main Sewer Line Clogs
Prevention is the best defence against a clog in your main sewer line. Follow these tips to prevent sewer line clogs:
- Throw away anything that isn’t toilet paper: Be mindful of this and use your bathroom trash can instead of your toilet.
- Install drain screens and catchers: In your sinks and tubs to catch hair, soap scum, and food particles before they enter your pipes in the first place.
- Book a sewer line maintenance with Ricky Heath: Do this every few years and annually with older homes. We use a camera to see if there are any blockages or tree root intrusions.
What to Do If Your Main Sewer Line Is Clogged
If you think you have a main sewer line clog, stop using your water right away. Turn off the main water valve to ensure no extra flush or sink drain can cause a sewage backup. If you see sewage backup, make sure to quarantine the spot until a plumber arrives. Sewage has harmful and toxic contaminants.
Call the professional plumbers at Ricky Heath right away. Our technicians have the proper tools to diagnose and fix the problem, whether that means hydro-jetting to clear the line, using a mechanical auger for stubborn clogs, or recommending pipe repair or replacement. We also handle main sewer and water line installations.
Call on Ricky Heath for All Sewer Line Clogs
Sewer line clogs are a call for emergency, but your local plumbers at Ricky Heath are equipped for the job to save you a headache. Knowing the warning signs can help you spring into action quickly, but you will always need a professional plumber to fix the situation. Call Ricky Heath today for clean pipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it’s a main line clog or a drain clog?
Flush a toilet from upstairs and check if your basement drain is backing up. This is a classic sign that you have a clog somewhere in your main line. Another way to tell is to run the sink and see if your toilet gurgles.
How often should I clean my main sewer line?
For older homes, 40-50 years old, we’d recommend every two years, but if you’ve had multiple clogs, even annually. If you have large trees in your yard, frequent inspections are a better call.
What’s the best long-term fix for tree root intrusion?
If you're dealing with tree root intrusion every year or two, you may need your pipes replaced with PVC pipes, which are much more resistant to roots. Another way is to install root barriers between the trees' roots and your piping system.
Can I use chemical drain cleaners for a main sewer line clog?
We wouldn’t recommend it. Store-bought drain cleaners usually have tough chemicals that can actually degrade pipes over time.
How much does it cost to clear a main sewer line clog in Middle Georgia?
It depends on the situation. Simple clogs that are fixed with one draining technique could run you $300 to $500 dollars while more involved jobs involving roots could be up to $1000.
Does homeowner's insurance cover sewer line repairs?
Standard homeowner's insurance usually doesn't cover sewer line issues unless they're caused by a covered peril or an act of god, like a fallen tree from a storm. As a homeowner, you can often add sewer line coverage as an addition to your policy for a small additional fee. If you live in an older home with older pipes, this could be a good idea.
Is a clogged sewer line an emergency?
Yes, Ricky Heath treats clogged main sewer lines as emergencies. Blockages eventually lead to pipe corrosion, increased pressure that causes pipes to burst, and raw sewage backing up into your home. This is a health risk, so call us as soon as you think you have a clogged main line.
