What to Know
- Your home’s sewer line is an important pipe system that carries sewage and wastewater away from your home.
- Some common signs of a sewer clog include slow drains, more than one clog in your home, strange sounds, sewage smells, and lush patches of grass in your yard.
- A professional plumber needs to solve your sewer line clog to ensure the job’s done right, quickly.
- Accurate’s plumbers are available now to schedule emergency plumbing service, which includes sewer line repairs. Don’t delay, call us today!
What Is a Sewer Line and Why Does It Matter?
The sewer line in your home is a crucial part of your plumbing system. It’s the underground pipes that carry wastewater and sewage away from the house and bring it to the municipal sewer system.
You need your sewer line to remain unclogged and clear because a clogged sewer line won’t be able to remove harmful waste from your home and will cause backflows and floods that contaminate drinking water and expose you to bacteria and other health hazards. Because the main line pipes are underground and out of sight, it can be difficult to visually tell when a sewer line blockage is happening.
If you suspect that you have a sewer drain clog, contact a plumber to fix the problem before more damage is done. At Accurate Electric, Plumbing, Heating, and Air, our licensed plumbers provide a wide range of plumbing services in the San Gabriel Valley, including sewer line repairs and maintenance, and we’re available 24/7. Sewer issues constitute a plumbing emergency because they put your health and your home in danger. Call us now if you notice any of the signs listed below, and we’ll take a look.
Common Warning Signs of a Clogged Sewer Line
The following are some of the most common signs of a clogged sewer line:
- Multiple clogs: If your bathtubs, showers, and sinks are clogging at the same time, it’s a strong indication that there is a sewer pipe clog.
- Fixtures behaving oddly: One of the main symptoms of a clogged main sewer line is when fixtures react oddly, such as bubbling water, water overflowing in sinks/tubs, a sewer backup, or water flowing in places it shouldn’t be.
- Slow-draining fixtures: Fixtures that show a delay in draining speed or require frequent plunging are signs of a drain line blockage.
- Sewage smells: The smell of sewage is unmistakable. If these odors are present in your home (or outside), it can be another indication of sewage backup.
- Wet or green patches in the yard: When wastewater cannot be transported through a main sewer line, it may soak into the soil, causing an unexplainable wet or extremely lush patch.
- Excess drainage at the clean-out: If you have a main line clean-out (a capped external access point to your sewer line), and water flows up and out of the clean-out or is standing in the pipe, it’s confirmation that your main line sewer has a stoppage.
- Mold growth: Excess moisture often leads to mold and mildew growth, which can be a tell-tale sign of a larger problem.
- Foundation cracks, settlement, and sinkholes: An untreated blockage can lead to leaks that may cause foundation cracks, settlement issues, and sinkholes.
- Pest problems: Rats, insects, and other pests can squeeze into extremely small spaces and are drawn to sewer contents. Signs of pest infestations may indicate a sewer line problem.
What Causes a Sewer Line to Clog?
Residential sewer line clogs are usually caused when:
- Fat, oil, and grease build up, with food waste, hair, and soap creating a clog over time.
- Inappropriate items are flushed down the toilet.
- Tree roots grow into the pipes.
- Poor plumbing connections may lead to obstacles that allow buildup and clogs.
- Pipes crack, corrode, or collapse.
Is a Clogged Sewer Line an Emergency?
Yes, a clogged sewer line is an emergency that requires immediate assistance.
You should never ignore a clogged sewer line. Over time, blockages can lead to corrosion and excess pressure, which can cause a pipe to leak or burst. Along with backups, raw sewage and wastewater in your yard and home will cause:
- Bad smells
- Floor, wall, and foundation damage
- Mold and mildew growth
- Health hazards from bacteria
- Big, expensive sewer line repairs
Can You Fix a Sewer Line Clog Yourself?
No, sewer line cleaning and repair is best left to the experts. Most of the time, the problem is due to broken sewer pipes, tree root intrusions, or serious clogs that need proper tools to remove and can be difficult to diagnose on your own. Play it safe and call Accurate to avoid causing more damage to your plumbing system.
How Plumbers Diagnose and Repair Sewer Line Issues
Our plumbers have specialized tools that’ll help us pinpoint the location and the cause of the problem and fix it with precision. This includes video camera drain inspections, drain snaking and hydrojetting, trenchless pipe repairs, and traditional sewer line repairs.
Each sewer line job is unique. Once we’ve been able to diagnose the problem, we’ll give you our diagnosis and recommendations.
Service Area: Sewer Line Help Near You
We proudly serve homeowners in:
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA – 91701, 91730, 91737, 91739
- Glendora, CA – 91740, 91741
- Surrounding San Gabriel Valley communities
Why Book with Accurate Electric, Plumbing, Heating, and Air
A clogged sewer line isn’t a DIY project that can be treated with a plunger or over-the-counter chemicals. Contact Accurate Plumbing today and schedule a video camera inspection to determine the location of the issue and its cause. We proudly serve Glendora, Rancho Cucamonga, and the surrounding foothill area with extensive plumbing services, including:
- Drain cleaning
- Pipe repair
- Fixtures services
- Bathroom plumbing
- Garbage disposals
- Water heaters
- Water softeners
- Water filters
- Plumbing remodeling
We also provide electrical HVAC installations, repairs, maintenance, inspections, and more.
If you have any questions about your sewer line or suspect a serious plumbing issue, please call our office at 800-947-1747 or use our online contact form to get in touch. We’re available 24/7 and will be happy to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a gurgling toilet mean my sewer line is blocked?
Yes, if your toilet is making a gurgling sound, it’s likely because the sewer line is blocked. Sometimes, gurgling sounds may also indicate a minor clog elsewhere. Contact a professional plumber to assess the problem for you.
How can I tell the difference between a simple drain clog and a sewer line clog?
The biggest difference between a smaller drain clog and a sewer line clog is the areas affected. A sewer line is further down the pipeline and will affect more than one drain at a time, causing clogs and backups in multiple locations. Simple drain clogs usually only affect one drain.
Can tree roots clog a sewer line?
Yes, tree roots are a big cause of sewer line problems in California. Roots search out any water and nutrient source, and once they find an entry into your sewer line, they’ll grow inside, causing major blockages and leaks.
