3 Common Symptoms Of A Sewer Drain Clog

Your sewer pipe connects to all the water appliances in your house and then takes all the wastewater and other products out of your house, under your yard, and to the main sewer pipe. Until it joins the main pipe, usually at the edge of your property boundary, the pipe is your responsibility.

A clog in the pipe means the water can’t drain away. As you continue to use your appliances the water will be left with nowhere else to go and will bubble back into your home. In short, you need to know when you have a clog and how to get rid of it.

You’ll find it helps to find a good sewer camera for sale and use it at least once every six months. This will show you whether there are any issues inside your pipes, including partial or complete clogs, and damage to your pipes.

Here are the most common symptoms of a sewer drain clog:

1. Slow drains

The most obvious sign that you have a sewer issue is when your appliances drain slowly. An issue with one appliance tells you the clog or partial clog is in the plumbing immediately under that appliance. If the issue affects more than one appliance then you probably have a sewer pipe clog.

2. Toilet or shower fills when the sink is draining

When you empty your sink the water goes down the drain and air is sucked in being it. However, if the sewer pipe is clogged, the water can’t go down the drain as there isn’t anywhere for it to go. Of course, the toilet and shower have drains that are closer to the ground. In other words, the water from your sink will take the path of least resistance and appear in your toilet or shower/bath.

It’s a sign you haven’t got long before the water backs up into your home.

3. Gurgling toilets

If you pull the flush on your toilet and the water level rises without going down, then you have a clog. However, in many cases, this is simply a blocked toilet pipe. Careful use of an auger will eliminate the issue and allow the toilet to drain.

However, if the filling of the bowl is accompanied by a gurgling sound then the wastewater is trying to get past the clog. Although this could still be in the toilet pipe, it’s more likely to be in the sewer pipe.

Dealing With The Issue

The first step is to slide your sewer camera into the pipe. This will help you locate where the clog is. You’ll then need a drain auger or drain rods, depending on whether you’re accessing the clog via your appliances or the main drain.

You’ll then be able to poke the auger/drain rods through the clog, breaking it up and allowing the water to flow again. It’s essential to wear protective gear when doing this.

Don’t forget to use the camera again afterwards. You can check the clog is completely gone and that the pipe is in good condition.