How to unclog a Sewer Drain

 

A clogged sewer drain can be annoying , especially if you are unsure of what is actually causing it or what is the cause and what to do next. We will give you the tools to address both minor or major sewer clogs and even show you the difference between the two.

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What is the issue with a clogged sewer ?

When you have a clogged sewer drain it can have a damaging affect on the rest of your property if tis not immediately addressed. Clogs in your sewer drain can affect your house’s interior including backed -up sinks , tubs, showers, and toilets. These messes can be difficult to take care of and in some cases may need professional help to resolve.

If you notice that you have a soaked carpet, warped wood flooring, sinking concrete in the driveway, pooling blackwater in the lawn or muddy or damp areas under or around the house you may have a clogged sewer drain. This could be costly for both you and your neighbors. You need to clear the sewer drain clog as soon as possible. However you may not even know where the clog is since it is in the sewer line and may not be visible. Hiring a professional plumber at Streamline Plumbing can pinpoint exactly where the sewer line clog is saving you valuable time and money.

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How to handle Smaller , localized drain clogs

Not all clogs are the same, however you need t know what kind of clog you have in order to get in repaired properly. Toilet paper clogs for example are much easier to clear than wet wipe clogs and small objects. Tree root intrusion may be the most difficult to clear depending on the extent of the damage.

If you ever have a clogged sewer line you need to contact a professional plumber like Streamline Plumbing. Trying to repair a clogged sewer line by yourself can lead to more costly plumbing issues and cause more damage. 

In some cases the minor clogs around your home can be treated with these smart prevention ideas.

  1. Keep you drains clear of all debris including food waste such as flour , coffee grounds, eggs , grease or any other substance that can cause build-up into your drains. Make sure you have drain stoppers in all your drains to keep debris out as much as possible.
  2. When suing your garbage disposal make sure you run plenty of water while it’s working to facilitate movement of the waste. Also, only use the garbage disposal as recommended by the manufacturer. Clean your disposal regularly to keep it working properly.
  3. Use natural enzyme treatments to slowly eat away at stuck-on material in your drain lines. While chemical treatments are not recommended for drain cleaning and clearing, enzyme cleansing can be done once a year over the course of a few months.
  4. A video inspection of your sewer line every year or so can keep costly repairs down. A video inspection done by a professional like Streamline Plumbing can prevent future drain and sewer line issues and pinpoint the issue if there is any.

What to do in case of serious sewer clogs 

For clogs that cause major problems such as reoccurring back-ups, pooling water in your yard, or standing water in tubs, sinks, and other drain lines you need to pay attention to the warnings signs that something is wring.

  • Drains that are slow or make a gurgling sound while trying to drain/
  • Multiple drains either slow draining or all backing up at the same time
  • One drain backs up when you use another 

These are all signs of all larger sewer line clog. If these symptoms begin to appear call your professional plumber immediately. Streamline Plumbing offers emergency service sewer line repair and same day appointments. In the mean time there are few things you can do to be able to use your faculties , you can try these solutions:

  • Pour hot water down the drain and letting it sit for a while until the drain eventually clears
  • Using a plunger to try and apply pressure to remove stuck debris
  • If running water is backing up in the pipes than you need to stop using your water immediately. Turn off the water to your house and call a professional plumber.
  • If you suspect tree root intrusion you need a video inspection to pinpoint the root. You may also need to call a tree root service as well as professional plumber.

If your sewer line has standing water present it won’t be easy to get clear video of the sewer line. When calling a professional plumber you need to let them know of standing water or any other complications that may make finding your sewer line clog more difficult. By doing this you ensure that the plumbers bring the right equipment.

Finally, having the water line cleared and cleaned by a professional like Streamline Plumbing is always the best option when you get a sewer line clog that is not something you can repair yourself. Choosing the right plumber can save you time and money. Having a sewer line inspection once a year can also give you peace of mind knowing that you don’t have any recurring plumbing issues.

If you’re experiencing frequent clogs or unexplained pooling water you may have a sewer line clog. If you are in Orange County call Streamline Plumbing if you suspect a sewer line clog. Streamline Plumbing has been sewer line experts for over 25 years in Orange County. We have trained experts with years of experience in sewer line clog repair , sewer line inspection using video camera inspection equipment. Call Streamline Plumbing for a second opinion or an estimate for your sewer line repairs

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