HOW TO DETECT AND FIX A SEWER DRAIN CLOG

September 10, 2024

When a sewer line is backed up, it can quickly go from a minor annoyance to a plumbing emergency. Since the water has no place to go, it will back up into the household plumbing one way or another.

Fortunately, you can avoid this nightmare if you know the signs to watch for. As professionals who understand the damage sewer line backup can do to your home, we aim to empower you with the awareness required to prevent the worst from happening.

Below, we discuss how to detect and fix a sewer drain clog.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR TOILET WHEN A SEWER LINE IS CLOGGED

Many homeowners first notice a sewer clog when their toilets start acting up. Watch for these toilet behaviors as signs of sewer trouble.

TOILET OVERFLOWS

Does your toilet overflow when your washing machine drains? Toilet overflows can happen because of clogs in the toilet bowl or pipes. But if it happens when significant water flow occurs in other household appliances, like the washing machine, the culprit is likely deeper in the system.

HOW CAN YOU FIX A TOILET THAT OVERFLOWS WHEN THE WASHER DRAINS?

If your toilet overflows when the washer drains, you're likely dealing with a sewer line clog. You can look for other symptoms of a sewer line issue, such as toilet and shower backups or unpleasant smells, but verifying a sewer drain clog should always be done by a professional.

Stop using your washer or turn off the water to prevent further water flow problems. Contact us if you suspect a sewer line clog in your Memphis home.

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TOILET WON'T FLUSH

Sewer clogs can prevent water from flowing properly, especially down toilets. Toilets may be sluggish or stop flushing. If your toilet won't flush when the washer is running, this is a significant sign of sewer clogs, as it indicates an overwhelmed system.

TOILET BACKS UP INTO OTHER APPLIANCES

No one wants toilet bowl contents to end up in other plumbing fixtures—but it can happen with a clogged system. A toilet backing up into the tub or shower means the water isn't flowing into the sewer. Water coming out of the shower drain with toilet waste should be addressed as soon as possible.

OTHER APPLIANCES BACK UP INTO TOILET

If water backs up when your washer drains, you may notice that water levels in your toilet bowl rise. Not all water backup leads to a toilet overflow—but you should still take it seriously. Too much water in a toilet bowl can cause further system backups if the toilet can't drain properly because of a sewer clog.

9 OTHER SIGNS YOUR SEWER LINE IS CLOGGED

How else can you tell if your sewer line is clogged? The following are signs to watch for that can help you detect a sewer blockage in your home.

MULTIPLE FIXTURES ARE CLOGGED

Multiple backed-up drains strongly indicate a clogged main sewer line. While a clogged toilet is a common plumbing issue, if you notice that your bathtubs, showers, and sinks are also draining slowly or backing up, it's likely a more significant problem.
WASHING MACHINE DRAIN PIPES OVERFLOW

The way your washing machine drains can be a litmus test for plumbing health. If the washer machine drain overflows or backs up into other locations when the washing machine tries to drain, something is blocking proper water flow in your system.
DRAINAGE AT THE CLEANOUT

Most properties have a sewer access point called the cleanout. If you have a main line cleanout, you can verify a sewer drain clog. If water is flowing up and out of the cleanout or standing in the pipe, you definitely have a main line sewer stoppage.
SLOW-DRAINING SINKS OR TOILETS

If your plumbing fixtures still drain but take a long time, that's a sign that the sewer line could be the problem. If cleaning the drains doesn't solve the problem, consult with a plumber to find the root cause.
FREQUENT PLUNGING

If you find you have to use a plunger increasingly more often for standing water to go down, the issue may be a stoppage in the main sewer line. In addition to having your clog fixed, you can learn how to properly plunge a toilet for good plumbing health.
BUBBLES IN YOUR TOILET WATER

Bubbles can be a sign of trapped air or inefficient drainage. If you see bubbles coming up from your toilet when it hasn't been flushed, the sewer line could be to blame.
DARK WATER

Dark water can back up into your fixtures from stagnant sewage water that is full of bacteria or rust from pipes. Contaminated water is considered a plumbing emergency and should be addressed right away to avoid health issues in your home.
NOISES FROM MULTIPLE DRAINS

You may hear gurgling sounds coming from multiple fixtures, suggesting the problem isn't localized to one drain. These sounds can indicate a system-wide issue.

9. UNPLEASANT SMELLS FROM DRAINS

When the sewer line is backed up, gas with a strong, off-putting smell can be trapped in the pipes. And yes, a clogged drain can cause a sewer smell. If your main sewer line is clogged, standing water full of bacteria, wastewater, rust, sewage, and solid waste can back up and cause some gross smells.

If you notice any of these signs in your home, call us immediately.

(901) 248-1961

WHAT CAUSES A MAIN SEWER LINE TO CLOG? TOP CULPRITS

Understanding how blockages occur is helpful for maintaining a healthy plumbing system in your home. Here are some of the most common reasons a main sewer line gets clogged:

Unflushables (like paper towels, baby wipes, or feminine products) in the toilet
Excess flushables in the toilet at once
Fats, oils, and grease in a drain
Tree roots too near the system
Putting the wrong things in the garbage disposal (e.g., eggshells or coffee grounds)
Aging or non-maintained sewer lines

Having a professional inspect and clean your sewer line is an affordable way to prevent more costly problems later. Request an inspection for peace of mind.

CAN TOO MUCH TOILET PAPER CLOG A SEWER LINE?

Yes, even though toilet paper is made to biodegrade and is safe to flush, using too much all at once or using thick multi-ply versions can cause clogs in your sewer line. This is especially true if you have a low-flow toilet that produces less pressure when flushing, making it likelier for a larger wad of toilet paper to settle into place in the line.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A BLOCKED SEWER DRAIN?

Homeowners usually have to cover the costs of sewer lines from their house to the street up to the point where their line connects to the main sewer line. The city is usually responsible for the sewer line beyond an owner's property.

IS A CLOGGED SEWER LINE AN EMERGENCY?

Yes, a clogged sewer line is considered a plumbing emergency. Depending on the cause and severity of a clog, the remedy may be relatively inexpensive or easy for a professional to resolve. However, more extensive damage can be costly, lead to interior water damage, and pose a health issue.

Don't let an emergency turn into a disaster! Call us right away if you're experiencing a clogged sewer line.

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HOW TO CLEAR A CLOGGED SEWER LINE

Can you fix a clogged sewer line yourself? Unless you're a professional, usually not. It takes careful training and special tools to break up a clog impacting the whole system. However, you can inspect your plumbing system and try a few simple DIY unclogging techniques to see if the sewer line really is the problem.

BLOCKAGE INSPECTION TIPS

To see if your sewer line is clogged, look for the symptoms listed above. Toilet overflows, problems with washing machine drains, and dirty or smelly water are telltale signs of a clog. Watch your appliances when you use significant amounts of water. Does the toilet bowl water rise? Do fixtures in other rooms start to leak?

If you notice these issues, locate the cleanout pipe on your property—an access point that allows you to perform maintenance on the main sewer line—and look for any waste or water that may be backing up there. You should not be able to see the water coming up the cleanout pipe. Leaking water here is the surest sign of a sewer line blockage.

DIY UNCLOGGING TECHNIQUES

For more localized clogs, homeowners typically try DIY unclogging techniques first. With gentle substances and proper form, this can be a low-stakes way to test your drains. You can try the following remedies to help a clog:

Baking soda: You can pour one cup of baking soda down a drain, followed by half a cup of salt, and let it sit for a few hours or even overnight, followed by two cups of boiling water.
Plunger: Use a plunger on a clogged drain, plunging vigorously multiple times until you see the water level go down.
Drain snake: If you can't unclog your sewer without an auger or a drain snake, try using one of these long, flexible cables. Insert it into the clogged drain and rotate it to break up and remove the obstruction.

Even if these solutions provide temporary relief, keep an eye on your system for returning issues that indicate a deeper problem.

PROFESSIONAL INTERVENTIONS

The best way to unblock a badly blocked sewer pipe is to rely on professionals! They have the proper tools and years of experience to clean and return your system to full use. As part of their process, they will:

Inspect the sewer: Most plumbers will use cameras to inspect the line before addressing the clog. Cameras allow them to locate the source and make a minimally invasive plan to solve the problem.
Clear the clog: Plumbers have a variety of tools to clear clogs. They may try snaking, high-pressure hydro-jetting, or bucket machines to wash out blockages and debris.
Use chemical treatments, if necessary: In rare cases, the line may require chemical treatments to completely break down blockages. This is sometimes used to remove tree roots without digging up the lines or plants.
Repair or replace damaged lines: If the blockage caused damage to the line, plumbers will fix that before they finish up the job. This may require digging up parts of the line or may be done with trenchless repair methods that don't require digging.

Call us to learn more about our techniques to clear and repair a sewer drain.

Call (901) 248-1961

CHOOSING A REPUTABLE SEWER LINE SERVICE IN MEMPHIS

The simple remedies above may help resolve your sewer line's blockage issue, but don't wait to take action if there is a more serious problem with your main sewer line. Call us right away at (901) 248-1961 or fill out our form so one of our expert plumbers can contact you immediately.

Conway Services provides the following plumbing solutions:

Video inspections
Eco-friendly drain cleaning products
Sewer and drain cleaning
Sewer line repairs
Sewer line replacement

We use high-quality PVC pipes with a 50-year life expectancy and provide a lifetime warranty on our work.

We offer several service plans to suit your needs and often even offer service specials to help you save money on our drain cleaning services.

Call to schedule your service

When a sewer line is backed up, it can quickly go from being a minor annoyance to a plumbing emergency. Since the water has no place to go, it will back up into the household plumbing one way or another.

Below, we discuss how to tell if your sewer line is clogged, what causes these clogs, and what you should do about them.

10 Signs Your Sewer Line Is Clogged

You'll want to take action immediately if you have a clogged sewer line. So, how can you tell if your sewer line is backed up?

The following are signs to watch for that can help you detect a sewer blockage in your home.

1. Multiple Fixtures Are Clogged

Multiple backed-up drains strongly indicate a clogged main sewer line. While a clogged toilet is a common plumbing issue, if you notice that your bathtubs, showers, and sinks are also draining slowly or backing up, it’s likely a more significant problem.

2. Flushing the Toilet Causes Water to Come Up Elsewhere

If you flush the toilet and water comes up into your bathtub or shower, it’s a sign of a possible sewer line clog.

3. Water Draining From Your Washing Machine Causes an Overflow in Other Locations

Another sign is if water overflows from your toilet or other locations when the water drains from your washing machine.

4. Drainage at the Cleanout

If you have a main line cleanout, you can verify a sewer drain clog. If water is flowing up and out of the cleanout or standing in the pipe, then you definitely have a main line sewer stoppage.

5. Slow-Draining Sinks or Toilets

If your plumbing fixtures still drain but take a long time, that’s a sign that the sewer line could be the problem.

6. Frequent Plunging

If you find you have to use a plunger increasingly more often for standing water to go down, the issue may be stoppage in the main sewer line.

7. Bubbles in Your Toilet Water

If you see bubbles coming up from your toilet when it hasn’t been flushed, the sewer line could be to blame.

8. Dark Water

Dark water can back up into your fixtures from stagnant sewage water that is full of bacteria or rust from pipes.

9. Noises from Multiple Drains

You may hear gurgling sounds coming from multiple fixtures, suggesting the problem isn’t localized to one drain.

10. Unpleasant Smells from Drains

When the sewer line is backed up, gas with a strong, off-putting smell can be trapped in the pipes.

Can a Clogged Drain Cause a Sewer Smell?

If your main sewer line is clogged, standing water full of bacteria, wastewater, rust, sewage, and solid waste can back up and cause some gross smells.

If you notice any of these signs in your home, call us immediately at (901) 248-1961.

What Causes a Main Sewer Line to Clog?

Understanding how blockages occur is helpful for maintaining a healthy plumbing system in your home. Here are some of the most common reasons a main sewer line gets clogged.

Unflushables

Often, people ignore warning labels or don’t realize the potential for costly problems when flushing items that won’t properly break down. This is especially true for paper products and similar items that many assume will be safe. Flushing items like feminine products, paper towels, napkins, or baby wipes may seem fine, but these items don’t dissolve properly and can cause a costly blockage.

Excess Flushables

Even flushables designed to safely biodegrade can lead to a clogged sewer line if flushed in excess. Too much bulk can slow a material’s natural process of breaking down, and once it starts causing a blockage, other items can get caught in the way as well.

Even though toilet paper is made to biodegrade and is safe to flush, using too much all at once or using thick multi-ply versions can cause clog your sewer line. This is especially true if you have a low-flow toilet that produces less pressure when flushing, making it likelier for a larger wad of toilet paper to settle into place in the line.

Fats, Oil, and Grease

When cooking products like fats, oil, and grease are poured down the drain, they cool and harden. They also combine with unflushable toilet items.

Tree Roots

Trees grow an incredible network of roots that stretch deep and wide. When they get too close to your wastewater pipes, they are strong enough to break through them and continue to grow. Eventually, they can cause a complete blockage.

Improper Garbage Disposal Use

Garbage disposals are great for breaking down scraps, but many people don’t realize that too many ground-up potato peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, and other food waste can clog up the sewer line.

Aging Sewer Lines

Sewer lines can eventually become blocked by a combination of seemingly insignificant build-up. If the line is never inspected or cleaned by a professional, even the smallest amounts of debris, grease, or unflushable items can build up.

Who is Responsible for a Blocked Sewer Drain?

Is a Clogged Sewer Line an Emergency?

Don’t let an emergency turn into a disaster! Call us right away at (901) 248-1961 if you are experiencing a clogged sewer line.

Sewer Clog Future Prevention: What You Can Do

Before a sewer blockage becomes a plumbing issue, you can take the following preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of a clog occurring.

Use a sink strainer to trap food waste in your sink.
Don’t pour oily products or excess food scraps down the drain. Instead, throw them away in sealed containers.
Know where your pipes are and avoid planting trees nearby so roots cannot grow in their path.
Don’t flush anything down the toilet except toilet paper, and avoid using large amounts of toilet paper—especially with low-flow toilets.
Remove aggressive weeds growing near your sewer line.

Having a professional inspect and clean your sewer line is an affordable way to prevent more costly problems later on. Request an inspection for peace of mind.

DIY Inspection Tips and Solutions: How to Clear a Clogged Sewer Line

To see if your sewer line is clogged, locate the cleanout pipe—an access point that allows you to perform maintenance on the main sewer line—and look for any waste or water that may be backing up there. You should not be able to see the water coming up the cleanout pipe. You can try the following remedies to help the clog:

Baking soda: You can pour one cup of baking soda down a drain, followed by a half a cup of salt, and let it sit for a few hours up to overnight, followed by two cups of boiling water.
Plunger: Use a plunger on a clogged drain, plunging vigorously multiple times until you see the water level go down.
Drain snake: If you can't unclog your sewer without an auger or a drain snake, try using one of these long, flexible cables. Insert it into the clogged drain and rotate it to break up and remove the obstruction.

Choosing a Reputable Sewer Line Service in Memphis, TN

The simple remedies above may help resolve your sewer line’s blockage issue but don't wait to take action if there is a more serious problem with your main sewer line. Call us right away at (901) 248-1961 or fill out our form so one of our expert plumbers can contact you immediately.