How To Solve A Blocked Sewer Drain

When you have a blocked sewer drain, particular the main drain, the whole house is in jeopardy. This is because a house’s lines are designed like that of a tree. There is the main line, the trunk, which leads all outgoing drainage to the sewers and from that trunk line are the multiple branches like the pipes coming from the toilets, sinks, and others.

The big problem here is that there is literally no other place for the water to go but back up. If it was just one small pipe that was clogged you could redirect the water to flow somewhere else but when the main drain is clogged then it’s like the main gate has been shut down. You’ll need professional plumber drain cleaning services or this.

Signs of a Blocked Sewer Drain

First off, how do you know that the main drain is clogged and not just any pipe in the house? The easiest sign is percolating. Percolating is when the toilet or sink pipes make bubbly sounds when you are using another fixture nearby.

One test is to run a sink that is situated near a toilet. If the toilet starts to percolate while the sink water is draining, then you might have a clogged main drain.

The only problem is that plain sights and sounds might not be enough. Your house can talk to you, all you need to do is listen, but you will need a professional’s opinion to figure out if those bubbling sounds and broken flushes are isolated concerns or a clogged main drain.

The solution is to troubleshoot first and to then hire professional plumbing services.

DIY Quick Fixes

You should also test if the problem is an isolated line or if it is the main line. If the water keeps coming back up in the toilet, a little DIY plumbing with a plunger should do the trick but if the water continues to keep bubbling up even after an object has been removed, the main line could be the problem.

You need to unclog your drains and this will require some sewer cleaning procedures. If you’re just trouble shooting then there are a few steps to follow:

Locate the isolated issues in your home. If it is the toilet or kitchen sink then a plunger might be able to do the trick. You might have something clogging the pipes and a plunger will be able to suck it out, freeing the water to flow out.

If a plunger isn’t working then you might need a sewer snake. These are cheap cleaning materials that you can slither down the drain of your toilet, bath tub, or sink and allow it to clean out the deeper areas. You can use this to physically remove clogging items or to push out pressurized water.

Cleaning the Main Drain

If all else fails and you realize that the problem is connected through the entire house then it is, without a doubt, a problem with the main drain. Remember that the whole house is connected. If problems are arising simultaneously then it is reasonable to surmise that the main line is compromised.

So when you’re sure that the main drain is clogged, what’s the next step?

First you will need to know where your main drain cleanout is located. Usually this is outdoors and is near the street sewer line and is situated close to power lines so you can run cleaning equipment.

However, it is expected that if your main drain is clogging up the whole house you will need something a little more powerful. You’ll need professional drain cleaning services for this.

Professional Drain Cleaning

Hiring professional drain cleaning services isn’t too expensive and the benefits significantly outweigh the costs. For one thing, emergency plumbers will have the proper training and the proper equipment to get the job done right and to get it done quickly.

Those two reasons are major proponents to consider. Even with experience in cleaning and repairing the house, you shouldn’t immediately jump into doing it on your own. Professionals do have the training and certification to ensure they can get it done without further damage occurring.

When it comes to equipment, plumbers will have high quality equipment to detect whether it truly is your main drain broken and clogged or if it could be an isolated issue. They will have the tools to clean, remove, and replace your lines without dirt and water flooding all over the place.

One major feature of a professional drain specialist is that they have pressurized cleaning materials. Professional plumbers will have access to high level hydro jetting cleaning equipment.

Hydro jetting is a high-pressure water system that requires a durable hose, a pressure tank, and a high-pressure nozzle. Hydro jetting shoots out 35,000 psi (pressure per square inch), which is so powerful it is even dangerous for a human being.

It is this hydro jet drain cleaning system that will guarantee a clean drain. The plumber will insert the nozzle and the hose through the main drain cleanout opening and fire the pressurized water.

The intense level of water pressure will immediately remove the dirt and other objects clogging the main drain leading water out of your home. It will also clean out the sides of the pipes leading to the main drain, removing all of the built-up dirt that could clog or cause corrosion.

Assessment and Replacement

Cleaning out the main drain isn’t the end of the story. While the professional plumbers are there they can also assess the overall integrity of your house’s line, checking for other signs of clogging, corrosion, leaks and damages. This is crucial because you will want any problem fixed early, before they become extensive, dangerous, and expensive to repair.

In the end, cleaning out the main drain is not too much of a complication. It is quick and easy to resolve once you have the right equipment and a reliable plumber on the job. Just always make it a habit to clean out the main drain before it clogs too much and starts causing havoc all over the house.