Signs Your Sewer is Backing Up
Think your sewer main may be backed up? Our plumbing expert shares warning signs to help you know when your sewer main may need serviced.
So your shower gets backed up every now and then. What’s the big deal?
It’s not always just a simple clog. Sometimes, when you notice a clogged drain or toilet, you may be on your way to bigger issues than you realize. Sewer main backups are a reality and not resolving the issues when they first arise can lead to costly repairs.
If you think you may be at risk of a sewer main backup, check out these warning signs:
Multiple backups – If several things with a drain are draining slow or clogged, this is more than likely the clue you need to know that your sewer main is clogged. All of the drains in your home run through the sewer main, so if it gets clogged you can expect all your drains to start draining slow.
Mysterious sounds – Bubbling or gurgling sounds are a sign that you should probably get your sewer main checked out. Bubbling sounds in a sewer line are typically caused by air pockets after the pipe has already been clogged, so if you’re hearing these sounds when there is no water running it may be time to call a plumber.
Flushing Wipes – Mom always told us to never flush a wipe or paper towel down the toilet and she was right. Even the wipes that claim to be flushable aren’t so sending them down the toilet is going to increase your chances of a sewer main backup.
One Drain Causing Another to Backup – A big indicator that you have a sewer main backup is when one drain causes another to backup. Flushing a toilet and seeing water come out of another shower drain isn’t a good sign. This happens when water can’t pass through a clog and it looks for another open drain, which leads to the other drains in your home.
