Sewage is one of those out of sight, out of mind subjects. No one wants to think about it, but when there is a sewage backup in a home or business, everyone wants the problem solved quickly.
At some point it's inevitable that there will be issues with a sewer system. Knowing the symptoms of sewer clogs can help a homeowner or business owner get ahead of major problems by seeking professional help to address the situation before it gets out of hand.
Signs and Symptoms of a Clogged Sewer
A common symptom of a clogged sewer is that water drains very slowly and backs up into a bathtub or sink. When there is a clog in the main line, water flow may be very slow or stop altogether.
As a result, when someone runs water down a sink drain, it is not unusual for that water to back up into the bathtub. The same thing can happen when someone flushes a toilet and there is no place for waste water to go.
Another symptom of a clogged sewer is a gurgling sound that comes from the toilet or drain. This gurgling sounds similar to a coffee pot percolating.
There may also be visible bubbling in the water in the toilet bowl or drain. It is not unusual for this bubbling and gurgling to occur in a toilet bowl or tub as the water from a washing machine drains.
Causes of Clogged Sewers
Some people rely on chemical drain cleaners to get rid of a sewer clogs.
However, this is not always the best way to handle a sewer clog. The clog may be caused by problems deep within the main sewer line such as a foreign object that finds its way into the system.
It is not uncommon for tree roots to grow into sewer lines and cause major clogs. The best recommendation for this type of problem is to hire a licensed plumber or sewer contractor.
Solutions for Repairing a Clogged Sewer
When there is a clog in a sewer it is important to have the problem evaluated as soon as possible. Procrastinating will only make the situation worse.
When water stops flowing completely, raw sewage may back up into sinks and tubs. Raw sewage not only smells horrible but it contains bacteria that can cause illness. It needs to be dealt with immediately.
This is why it is important to get a licensed plumber or sewage contractor to determine the source of the problem.
Licensed plumbers and sewer contractors have equipment and technologies that can help them locate the source of sewer problems without doing unnecessary digging or tearing out areas in a structure.
For example, he or she might insert a special video camera line into a sewer pipe to get a good look at what is causing the clog. Generally, a licensed plumber or sewer contractor uses this approach when other options such as when using a drain snake to remove a clog have failed.
This another reason why it is best to hire a licensed plumber or contractor to diagnose and repair sewer problems.