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What Is Causing My Sewer Line to Clog? | Tips from Your Trusted Lake Worth, TX Plumber

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Nothing is more annoying than a sewer line clogging. Not only do you have to pay for an emergency plumber in Lake Worth, TX, but you have to deal with sewage all over your drains or basement floor. Depending on the extent of the clog, you may also have water damage which can be costly and a hassle.

At some point in life everyone will experience a sewer line clog, there is simply no avoiding that because accidents occur and nature grows in the way of sewage pipes. However, if you need to call a plumber out several times in one year for sewer line clogs then it may be time to investigate what is causing the clogs.

Signs of a Sewage Line Clog

To start, you may want to learn all of the signs of a sewer clog. There are a few signs that appear before you see sewage rising out of your drains. If you learn how to correctly identify a sewer line clog, you can call a plumber in Lake Worth, TX before the situation gets out of hand.

Slow Drains in Multiple Locations – If one drain is running slow you likely have an isolated issue, but if several drains are draining slowly then this could point to an issue with your sewage line. It is a good idea to call a plumber to investigate the issues.

 

  • Foul Odors Coming from Drains – If it looks like an egg and smells like an egg, it’s probably an egg. If it smells like sewer and is coming from all of your drains, it’s likely sewage backup. Don’t ignore foul odors from your drains, because eventually you will be able to see the sewage and that’s a situation you never want to find yourself in.
  • Wet Patches in Yard When It’s Been Dry – Believe it or not, your backyard may be able to tip you off to a potential clog. If you notice wet patches in your yard when there has been no rain there is a good chance they are caused by a sewer backup. Give your plumber a call to fix the problem before the wet patches pop up in your basement as well.
  • Bubbling Toilets – Pipes are made to allow water to evenly flow down them. When there is a clog, the flow is disrupted, which may cause a bubbling noise or sensation. If you notice this every time you flush along with some of the other signs of a clog, it’s probably a good idea to give your local Lake Worth, TX plumber a call.

Common Causes of Clogs in the Sewer Line

Now that you know what to look for, you can get down to the cause of sewer line clogs. Sometimes sewer line clogs just happen, but sometimes they have an identifiable cause that needs fixed otherwise you will be calling the plumber out every few months. Figuring out and remedying the cause can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Your Toilet Use – Believe it or not, you may be causing the clogs yourself because of what you are flushing down your toilet. While you may know you can’t flush sanitary napkins or other foreign objects down the toilet, you may be flushing flushable wipes down the toilet on a daily basis. Despite what the packaging says, they are not actually flushable and in the end are responsible for many sewer line clogs.

Tree Roots – Most Lake Worth, TX plumbers will tell you that tree roots are the most common cause of clogged sewer lines. Trees naturally grow longer roots as they age, and eventually those roots expand and make their way towards sewer lines. If your sewer lines are older, corroding, or cracked then the tree roots might actually start to grow into the pipes. At first this may just cause your drains to slow down, but eventually the roots block the pipes causing a full blockage.

Damaged Sewer Line – Tree roots are not the only way that a sewer line can get damaged. Pipes do not have an infinite lifespan, and eventually they will start to corrode, sag, and crack. They are surrounded by wet soil and other elements that break down the metal over time. Sewer lines are often the first pipes to be affected, and if they are older than they are even more likely to simply decay. Sewer line damage is usually seen in pipes that are over two decades old. Once they are damaged or cracked dirt and other objects can get into the lines eventually clogging the pipes.

Your Garbage Disposal – It is easy to see why some people might use their garbage disposal as a trash can, because it seemingly can grind anything up that is leftover after making dinner. However, you should avoid the temptation to just toss anything down it because eventually this can cause a sewer clog. Grease and larger debris in particular are repeat offenders. Use a kitchen sink strainer when cleaning off dishes to catch larger items so you can scoop them into the actual trash can and leave only small debris and food-based items to the garbage disposal.

Even with good plumbing habits it is possible that your sewer line will become backed up. Once you notice the signs call a Lake Worth, TX plumber immediately to get the line cleaned up. You don’t want to wait, because every time you use a drain or toilet, the backup will get worse. Prompt treatment can help you avoid water damage, and an experienced plumber can ensure the clog is fully removed so that you don’t have issues again.

Contact the plumbing experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today!