To tell if your main line is clogged, there are a few different areas you must keep an eye on. Overflowing sewer clean outs, backed up drains and sewage in your floor drain are all signs that it’s time to contact a professional. Believe it or not main line clogs are quite common and easily cleaned out with the use of a hydro jet, a device used when high pressure water is necessary to unblock a clog. Here we will go over a few of the possible indicators of a main line blockage to help you quickly intervene and avoid main line pipe replacements.
Firstly, it’s important that you keep a close eye on all of your household plumbing for unusual activity. Auditory cues such as gurgling are common; the presence of rancid smells near your plumbing can also occur. Along with this, be sure to watch for water backing up or having trouble draining in a timely fashion. Before we go further, it’s important we clarify that if this problem is only happening in one certain area (e.g your toilet is gurgling, but the rest of the plumbing is fine) then it may not be an issue with the main line. The best way to tell if it’s the symptom of a larger problem is to clarify whether or not the odd activity can be spotted at multiple drains throughout the house. Sinks, toilets, as well as bathtub and shower drains are good places to check for indications of a main line clog.
Along the same lines, it’s also possible that due to using a single water fixture the rest of your plumbing may result in a backup in all the outlets connected to it. Should sinks or the shower start to strain or overflow upon you flushing the toilet, would be a tell-tale sign of a much more serious problem with the plumbing.
Next, we will be looking at the sewer clean outs and floor drains. When a major clog happens, one of the biggest problems that results from that is an overflow of sewage. Due to this, you’ll find that waste will eventually build up until the pressure is too much for the pipe to handle. When this happens, the excess mass will escape the line and flow out wherever it is able to leave. Sewer clean outs and floor drains are both places where extra waste may find itself potentially escaping and collecting. A good rule of thumb is that if you find sewage in a place you’re certain it should not be, it’s time to take action.
Main sewer line clogs aren’t just a matter of money and time, but can also be a health hazard. If left unchecked, it’s possible you will come into contact with contaminated water. This could mean a member of your family including your furry ones accidentally consuming it, so be certain not to take any of these warning signs lightly. It could cause you infinitely more trouble in the long run in regards to both finances and health, so call a professional at the first sign of any of the issues listed.
By now you’ve figured out you are dealing with a main line clog, what should you do? First off knowing your issue is a great start, by knowing and taking action quickly you have a better chance of just needing a main line clean-out as opposed to main line pipe replacements. Let me tell you, I’d prefer to end up with a clog than needing to replace my main line. We’re talking of at least a $10,000 difference! The next step after knowing your issue is to contact a plumber to come and diagnose how difficult the clog will be to clean out. Depending on how close the clog is to reach the less expensive, thus the further away the clog is the more expensive. Reasons being, the further away a clog is to reach the more equipment is needed to locate the clog. The average cost of a main line clog clean-out seems to range at $306 according to HomeAdvisor. Not a bad price to pay. Not only is it rather affordable but did you know it’s suggested to practice preventative maintenance on your main line every eighteen to twenty two months to avoid needing to replace them.
If you are able to maintain your main line about every two years or so you are looking at an investment rather than an expense. Also for your safety and for the safety of your family let a professional help out whenever you need a proper clean out.