Causes of Drain Clogs

Clues to a clog

Here are a few tips to narrow down the cause of your clog:

If ALL of your drains are not flowing properly at the same time there is a strong possibility the clog is in the main sewer line.
If you notice that your toilet has a problem flushing and it is not affecting any other drain, then the problem is isolated to the toilet.
Water going up instead of down. One way to test the location of a problem is to run the water in the sink nearest the toilet. If the toilet water goes up when you do this, it may be a sewer problem. Remember, water backs up to the lowest point. So it may, instead, back up into the bathtub or shower. (These drains are lower than sink drains.)
Smell something funny? That may be a nice way to put it. Plumbing lines are filled with gases, but they are also designed with appropriate venting to allow gases out and oxygen in to help waste flow properly. There may be a problem with your venting. Call us if you are unsure.
Is your backyard or front yard suddenly very soggy? You could have a sewer drain leak underground (if it’s not an irrigation system leak). This also indicates a problem for septic systems. Although pipe breaks are far rarer than clogs, they require immediate attention.

Here are the most common culprits to sewer drain clogs and problems:

Tree roots are a common cause of sewer drain breaks and clogs. Of course, at the time sewer lines are laid underground, they are free and clear of plant and tree roots. But as the years pass – that can change. Plants and trees may at first find all the needed nutrients and water supply in the surrounding soil. But they may also seek out the regular water supply flowing through nearby pipes, wreaking havoc on your sewer system.
Kitchen grease and oils poured down the drain: As much as you may think running lots of hot water will dilute any grease and oil poured down your kitchen drain, it generally slows down and sinks to the bottom of the pipe in the sewer line – building up over time and reducing available water flow space within the pipe. Simply put, dispose of grease and oil in the trash.
Noxious gas smells should be addressed right away. Check vent pipes to ensure there’s clear air flow. Remove birds’ nests, if present. If, for any reason, the fumes leave you feeling at all nauseated, light-headed, dizzy or cause a headache, get immediate medical attention. Most sewer gases are not toxic (even if they are unpleasant). However, in some industrial, commercial or agricultural locations, more toxic gases may be present. And some are flammable. So you should seek immediate professional attention for these problems.

While the solution to your sewer drain problems may not appear elementary at first, there are basic tools Sewer Masters® employ to solve the “crime” upon your plumbing system.

Depending upon the type of clog and its position, our trained technicians may make use of plumbing snakes, plungers and even water jetting (pressurized water) to remove an obstruction. Our expert staff will be able to tell you if a combination of tools provide the best solution for your specific problem.

Call us today to diagnose and correct your plumbing drain problem!

Our 24-hour plumbing service is just a phone call away.