When a sewer line gets blocked, the effects can be disastrous. Fortunately, this sort of clog usually happens gradually. Recognizing the warning signs and taking immediate steps to fix it can keep you from ending up with sewage overflowing on your floors.
Repeated Toilet Clogs
One of the most common reasons we end up fixing Winston-Salem sewage line clogs is because customers call us complaining that their toilets simply are not working. Have you noticed you keep getting toilet clogs even though you are being careful not to cram your toilet full of wipes or toilet paper? If you keep doing everything right but still get clogs, the problem is most likely further down the line.
An occasional clog is bad luck, but having to plunge the toilet every week means something in the drainage system itself is malfunctioning. Sewage line clogs tend to make toilets drain slower, and over time, this can cause stuff to back up and clog the toilet.
Water Backs Up in Unrelated Drains
Another key symptom of a sewer clog is water backing up into drains, particularly after activities such as:
- Washing dishes
- Running the dishwasher
- Having a shower
- Emptying a bath tub
- Flushing multiple toilets at once
The water backing up might not necessarily be from the source of the draining water. For example, you might start a load of laundry and then find your bath tub is full of water. This is a sign that something is going wrong with the drainage system in multiple parts of the house. The tub or shower is particularly likely to fill up first, since it is usually at the lowest point in your sewage system.
Soggy or Sunken Lawns
Not all signs of a sewage line clog are drainage problems. In many cases, sewer line clogs happen due to sewage line breaks or tree roots infiltrating your sewer line. When this happens, the spot in your lawn above the pipe will start to change.
For some people, the problem can present itself as a spot on the lawn that is soggy no matter how long it has been since the last rainfall. Others may notice that an area on the lawn is starting to sink down. All of this can combine to create grass that is abnormally green or abnormally brown compared to the rest of the lawn.
Weird Activities in Your Pipes
A sewage line is one of the most important parts of a functioning home drainage system. When it is clogged, all of your pipes and drains can start to act up in the oddest of ways. Some of the strange things people notice when they have an undiagnosed sewage line clog include:
- Bubbles of air come up from your toilet bowl or bath tub after you drain water
- Your bathroom or kitchen always smells vaguely stinky
- You notice hissing or banging noises in the pipes
- Gurgling sounds happen in your toilet bowl randomly
- Your shower or bathroom floor is mysteriously wet when you haven’t been using it.
Unusually Slow Drains
If the clog in your sewage line has only partially blocked the pipe, then your sinks, toilets, and tubs will still be able to drain. However, you may find that they drain much slower than normal. Since the diameter of your sewer pipe will be much smaller, water will have to slowly trickle through the clog instead of immediately rushing through the drain lines.
A single slow drain line is often a sign that the individual drain is clogged. However, if you notice that more than one drain in your house is struggling, then the problem is more likely to be in the main sewage line. You may also find that one drain starts draining slowly after water has been running a lot in another part of the house.
Burst and Leaky Pipes
If you keep ignoring the problem even after symptoms start developing, you may eventually get burst pipes or leaks. This occurs when pressure builds up and puts more and more stress on pipes and pipe joints. Eventually, something has to give, and you get one of your sewage lines breaking. This can lead to a massive problem, with gallons of stinky sewage flooding your home. Since the consequences of a burst pipe can be so severe, it is best to get a licensed plumber who can fix the problem before it reaches this stage.
If you notice any of these signs of a main sewage line blockage, do not hesitate to get help! At Bodenheimer Plumbing Services, we are happy to provide quality plumbing service to Winston-Salem residents. Our professional and experienced plumber team can visit your home to diagnose the problem and give you an estimate. Give us a call at 336-788-3966 or fill out our online service request form to solve your plumbing problem now.
