How Slow Drains Indicate Potential Sewer Line Problems
Many things can slow your drains. Hair and grease are common culprits, but sometimes your sluggish drain may have something important to say about your sewer line. How do you tell the difference between a normal buildup nuisance and a warning of a bigger issue? Here are a few critical signs that you’re dealing with something beyond a regular clog.
Repeat Clogs
If you find yourself whipping out the plunger on a regular basis, it’s time to call the professionals. If the drain quickly blocks again or remains slow after a service visit, take note of what goes down the drain, what you use to keep debris like hair out of the line, and what previous plumbers tried. Keep track of how long any previous technique or product showed results, too.
Lingering Foul Odors
If your kitchen always smells like something rotten, or no air freshener can purge your bathroom’s stink, your wastewater may not be reaching its destination. Odors may come in tandem with backups, but sometimes a drain smells first. It’s a sign that your plumbing is not working as intended, and something bad is flowing back into your home, so don’t ignore the problem until it escalates.
Backups
There’s nothing quite like the horror of a backed-up toilet overflowing. It’s hard to miss. That isn’t the only drain that can return wastewater, though. Watch showers and sinks for standing water. You may see a difference between the soapy lather you used on your hands and the murky grey material rising into the water you just used. Keep an eye out for particles, strange colors, and even bubbles rising from drains. A drain doesn’t need to be entirely blocked to back up, so watch slow drains for backwash from your plumbing.
Strange Noises
Listen for gurgling or bubbling. Sometimes, even when the water has finally seeped down the drain, it makes strange noises. Those sounds come from air that has crept into the wrong end of the line. This could signal a crack or break somewhere out of sight. Listen to your home after someone flushes a toilet or takes a shower, too. You may catch the noises farther down the line.
Multiple Slow Drains
One slow drain is irritating, but multiple slow drains suggest something bigger. Even if one drain needs cleaning more than the rest, like those in a shower or sink, pay attention to others, particularly in the same area. Even if they aren’t backing up, are they slower than they used to be? Do you find yourself waiting for the sink to empty after brushing your teeth the same day you notice standing water in the tub during a shower? These issues may not be the drains’ fault. This is a hallmark of sewer line trouble.
Additional Warning Signs of Sewer Line Problems
No two homes are exactly the same, and your drains may not be the only parts raising an alarm.
Look out for:
- Standing water outdoors
- Excess moisture in basements or around foundations
- Soil erosion
- Mushrooms, mold, and mildew
- Unusually green/lush areas of lawn
What to Do About It
The solution to sewer line concerns depends on the specific issue. Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to inspect your drains with the latest technology for a quick, efficient sewer line diagnosis. Our licensed plumbers can work with you every step of the way, no matter what’s hiding down the line.
Blockages
Like drains, sewer lines can suffer blockages from years of debris, hair, and grease clinging to and building up along the sides. This requires something like a powerful pipe snake or water jetting to remove the obstacle blocking the flow between your home and the sewer.
While you can’t always prevent a sewer line problem, you can beat slow drains to the punch with routine maintenance. Annual water jetting helps avoid blockages and keeps drains fast and efficient. This service may also extend the life of your sewer line by removing corrosive substances and reducing internal pressure from gunk and debris.
Breaks
Sewer lines also break. Sometimes age erodes the material, tree roots break in, or shifting landscapes put pressure on the pipe. Our team can help you find the best solution for the unique type of crack or break, replacing or repairing your line with less-invasive and trenchless techniques where possible. We have specialized tools for clearing tree roots, installing new lines through existing pipes, and more.
Call the Professionals
A sewer line break is a crisis, so if there’s any delay it’s you we pay! Our team respects your time as much as your home. We understand the health risks and potential property damage sewage leaks can cause, and we’re ready to respond with the professionalism you deserve.
Not sure there’s anything to worry about? Call us to schedule an inspection today. Whether your slow drain needs regular maintenance or a full sewer line replacement, we’re prepared. Ask the experts to find and fix the problem the first time. We even offer services to help prevent future calls! Don’t wait for a little problem to become a bigger headache. No one wants to deal with secondary sewage damage. Remember, we work for you, so if there’s any delay it’s you we pay!
