You wake up to find the toilet won’t flush and there’s a giant puddle of gross water on the bathroom floor. Or even worse, sewage is backing up in your tub or shower. A blocked sewer line is a total nightmare, but don’t panic. Here’s a handy guide to get you through this stinky situation through blocked sewer repair through experts like The Relining Company
First Things First: Turn Off the Water Supply
This is crucial to avoid any more water from entering the blocked pipe and making matters worse. Locate the main shut off valve for your home’s water supply and give it a turn until it’s fully closed. If you have a well, you’ll need to switch off the power to the well pump instead.
Get the Gross Stuff Out
Now it’s time to start bailing out the backed up water. Wear some rubber gloves and boots for this messy task. Use a big plastic container to scoop up the water. If there are solid materials blocking the drain, see if you can gently remove them with a gloved hand or plunger. Just get as much out as possible before moving on.
Call in the Pros
DIY drain clearing has its limits, so if you’ve tried plunging to no avail, it’s best to call a professional. A good plumber or drain cleaning service has the high-powered equipment to clear even the toughest clogs and get your pipes flowing freely again. Some key questions to ask:
- Are they available for emergency service? Speed is important with sewer backups.
- Do they use state-of-the-art drain cleaning methods like hydro-jetting? This blast clogs away with intense water pressure.
- Will they thoroughly inspect your pipes with a sewer camera? This finds any pipe damage causing the blockage.
- Do they offer warranties on their work? Look for at least a 30-day warranty.
While You Wait, Limit Water Use
Until the pros arrive, avoid running any water down the blocked drains. Turn off automatic ice makers, etc. And definitely no flushing toilets – use a temporary toilet instead. Limiting water use prevents additional backups.
Evaluate the Type of Blockage
Your plumber will determine if the clog is in the main sewer line out to the street, or in your home’s branch lines. Each has different remedies:
Main sewer line: Roots are often the culprit, growing into pipes through cracks. Hydro-jetting combined with root removal treatments can help. Old cracked pipes may need repair or replacement.
Branch lines: Grease and soap buildup are common branch line cloggers. Jetting clears grease deposits while acidic treatments dissolve soap scum. Find and fix the source of excess grease or soap entering your drains.
Be Ready for the Cleanup
Even after the blockage is cleared, you’ll still have a mess on your hands. Remove any remaining pooled water and mop floors. Thoroughly clean the tub, shower walls, and tiles with hot soapy water and disinfectant. Launder any sewage-soaked towels, rugs, and clothing separately in hot water. And give the whole area a good disinfectant to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Discover the Blockage Source
While the immediate problem is fixed, take some time to investigate what caused the clog in the first place. Here are some top culprits:
- Tree roots: Over time, roots can infiltrate and choke pipes. Look for nearby trees.
- Broken pipes: Cracks let roots/debris in. Inspect piping fordamage.
- Grease buildup: Letting fats/oils wash down drains leads to clogs.
- Old pipes: Sewer lines have a lifespan. Age can cause breaks/cracks.
- Heavy rainfall: turbulent stormwater runoffcan stir up clogs.
- Flushed items: Paper towels, wipes, and other unwanted items cause obstructions when flushed.
Take Steps to Prevent Future Problems
Once you pinpoint the cause of your clogged pipe, take action to stop it from happening again. Here are some key prevention tips:
- Use drain screens to catch hair and debris before it goes down.
- Avoid pouring fats/oils down the drain – collect in a jar instead.
- Only flush toilet paper, never wipes or paper towels.
- Install hair traps if bathroom drains seem sluggish.
- Avoid planting trees too close to your main sewer line.
- Use root killer chemicals to inhibit root growth in pipes.
- Repair any pipe damage found during camera inspections.
- Replace old pipes that are prone to cracking and clogs.
Conclusion:
As you can see, dealing with a blocked sewer line is no fun at all. But by staying calm, turning off the water, and calling in professional drain specialists, you can get the problem fixed promptly. Be sure to do some investigative work to find out the clog’s cause, then take steps to prevent future headaches. With the right knowledge and preparation, you can tackle blocked drains without too much chaos.
Photo by Alexander F Ungerer:
