Main Sewer Line Blockage? Know The Signs To Call An Emergency Plumber! | San Antonio, TX
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If one phrase could epitomize sewer lines, it would be “out of sight, out of mind.” And that old adage holds true—until it doesn’t. Your sewer line is arguably one of the most crucial, if not the most important, parts of the plumbing system in your San Antonio, TX, home. If something goes wrong with it, whether it becomes clogged or receives damage, then you’re going to be dealing with a slew of issues that require the help of an emergency plumber.
Clogged sewer lines can become a serious issue and a possible health hazard. With no route to the main sewage system, any waste and wastewater from your home are forced to back up into your home’s fixtures or come up through floor drains. So what can you do?
First of all, stop using the plumbing system until you reach out to an emergency plumber. And don’t worry. At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio, TX, we’ve dealt with all sorts of sewer line problems, and our highly trained and professional team of plumbers is ready to hop on over to your location to lend a hand.
Detecting Sewer Line Clogs and Breaks
When it comes to handling a sewer line problem, the sooner it’s detected, the better. Early detection almost always means that it is less trouble to fix, so it costs you less. Left unchecked, conditions only get progressively worse and worse as the days pass, so it’s important to reach out for help from your plumber ASAP when you think you have a clog or sewer line break in order to mitigate the potential negative outcomes.
Let’s run down some reasons to suspect that all is not well with your sewer line.
Slow-Draining Tubs and Sinks
If you notice that your sink, tub, or toilet drains more slowly than usual, something is likely amiss in your sewer line. In some instances, sinks, tubs, and toilets may not drain at all, and more than one drain may be affected at the same time. Overflow is a dead giveaway for this type of sewer problem. For instance, if you run your washer and you notice overflow or backup from the washer in your bathtub, or if your toilet overflows when your washer is on the spin cycle, then this is a strong indicator of a sewer line clog or break.
Gurgling Noises
Listen for any sort of gurgling noises coming from the drain or from the toilet when you flush it. This is likely a sign of some type of clog or blockage in the drain somewhere, and it warrants a call to your emergency plumber. In many cases, noises like these can indicate that there are tree roots causing the disruption in the drain. In fact, tree roots are one of the most often discovered causes of sewer line problems. This is doubly true if your sewer is older and made from concrete or clay that makes it easier for roots to infiltrate your pipe joints and pipes. The reason for this is the moisture. Small so-called “feeder” roots seek out water, gain entry through your pipes, and then grow bigger once they get inside where they block waste and tissue, helping create a clog.
Overflow in Sewer Cleanout
Another obvious way to tell that a sewer problem is brewing is to locate and inspect the sewer cleanout in your home. The sewer cleanout may be located in your home’s basement, bathroom or utility area. It may also be outdoors. Look for it in a plastic or metal box that is recessed somewhat into the ground near the home’s exterior walls. Once you locate the sewer cleanout, look for overflow. This indicates a sewer line backup.
Plunging Like Never Before
If you suddenly find that you need to use a plunger more than you normally do, then you may be dealing with some sort of sewer line problem and need to reach out to an emergency plumber. This is an indicator that a substantial clog has formed farther away from the drain, whether it is in the bathroom, kitchen or laundry room.
Clearing Sewer Lines
Many homeowners find themselves searching for DIY plumbing fixes when their sewer lines are misbehaving. The truth is that there is no over-the-counter chemical or plunger that is effective enough to treat a sewer line clog. An emergency plumber needs to take care of the issue so as to avoid further damage and to nip the problem in the bud before it becomes worse.
An emergency plumber inspects clogged sewer lines using video camera equipment that’s inserted into the line to give him a clear picture of the problem, so he can see the cause and location of the clog. This type of inspection allows the plumbing professional to recommend the best possible options for clearing the clog, which generally requires the use of electric sewer and drain cleaning machines.
Emergency plumbers use this type of special drain and line cleaning equipment to tackle even the toughest blockages. The equipment is engineered to clear sewer lines of debris and tree roots and features stiff cables with razor-sharp blades that are inserted into the line where they wind their way to the obstruction, clearing as they go and restoring the full flow of the sewer line.
Emergency Plumber in San Antonio, TX
Don’t let sewer line problems gain a foothold in your home. Trust bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio to handle your sewer line problems quickly and efficiently. Reach out to our pros to schedule an emergency plumber at the first sign of a sewer line clog or break.
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