4 Common Signs Of Clogged Sewer Pipes

Clogged sewer pipes are one of the worst sewer residential and commercial building problems that owners face. They birth several other sewer related issues and might even result in bursting pipes. Clogging usually occurs when tree roots start to grow through the pipes or dirt accumulates in them over time. In addition to this, older steel and clay pipes can completely disintegrate with time and clog up. This can cause serious issues with water drainage, especially in pipes leading to underground sewage.

However, timely detection of potential sewer pipe clogging can help save you time, money, and the stress of calling a plumber at an inconvenient time. According to experts, building owners spend a significant amount of money on drain and pipe repair work every year. Having your pipes inspected regularly to identify backed-up drains from professional plumbing services can considerably reduce the risk of costly repairs.

Continue reading to learn about some of the common indicators that suggest you have clogged sewer pipes.

Slow Draining

Slow draining sinks can be problematic. In such situations, you might be tempted to simply pour a strong liquid such as bleach down your drain pipe to unclog it. However, this is not a viable solution especially when it comes to older sewer pipes as they are already worn out. Using reactive and strong chemical products can speed up the corrosion of these old pipes.

Many people don’t know that a slow drain or sewer pipe is often the first indication of a major plumbing issue. Instead of making futile attempts to unclog the pipes, it is best to contact a professional plumber who can understand the issue and fix it. A plumbing company can also perform an evaluation to find out the best way to fix your building’s sewer system to avoid the situation from recurring.

Also Read: 6 Common Plumbing Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

Waterlogging In The Foundation

Additional moisture can seep through the foundation of your home or residential building as a result of damaged sewer pipes. Moisture in your home’s walls or basement and cracks around your building’s foundation is another indication that there are some issues with your sewage pipe system. Such situations require immediate attention to avoid further damage.

You must call a professional plumber to determine whether the moisture was caused by a pipe, a sewer leak, or something else.

Unpleasant Odors

Strong odors are also an initial sign of a sewer line problem. Blocked drains contain polluted wastewater that accumulates other debris inside them for a long time. However, this water is not enough for the debris to flow and so it starts to dry up. This dried-up debris starts to produce a foul smell. If a constant unpleasant odor resides in your home or building, it is a tell-tale indication that you have a clogging issue at hand.

Clogged pipes require immediate attention for an immediate fix. Prolonging the issue will only make it harder for you to live in your home and possibly result in further damage to your draining system.

Water Backs Up In Other Places

Any clogging will impact the lowest drains first because the sewer system in any home or building is gravity-based. For example, a clog in a bathroom sink will only affect the sink itself. If the main drainage line on the second floor of a building is clogged, it will cause the lowest drain on the first floor, usually, the toilet or bathtub to back up first.

This happens because water cannot be compressed in a small, enclosed space created by a clogged pipe. It has to go somewhere else which is often a shower or bath drain. This can happen with other fixtures as well. For example, a backed-up washing machine can cause a toilet to overflow.

Strange Sounds

If you hear unusual sounds when using a fixture, it means that you have a sewer line clog. Toilets that bubble, gurgle, or back up when you use another fixture are a good sign of a mainline clog.

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