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How to Spot Signs of a Main Sewer Blockage Before it Floods Your Home

22 June 2016 by Audrey Ramos

When a clog develops in the main sewer line that removes waste water from your home, the results can include blocked drains and overflowing toilets. Fortunately, there are often warning signs of a main sewer blockage that can alert you to a problem before the system becomes completely backed up.

1. Slow Drains

If one of your drains starts emptying much slower than usual, the problem is probably a local clog that you can dislodge with a plunger. However, if all your drains slow down at the same time, you should suspect a blockage in the main sewer line. This is a much deeper problem that requires a call to one of the plumbing services in your area.

2. Problems With Your Toilet

A blockage in the main sewer line can cause the water level in your toilet to rise unusually high in the bowl when you flush. As toilets are directly connected to the main sewer, they're often the first plumbing fixtures to develop issues in the case of a blockage.

3. Gurgling Noises

Listen for gurgling sounds when water is going down the drains in your home. A characteristic sign of a main sewer blockage is gurgling in the tub or shower when you drain water from the sink.

4. Bad Smells

Is your bathroom or kitchen developing a bad smell? Rather than covering them up with air freshener, take bad odours as a warning sign of an impending plumbing emergency. Bad smells often arise from stagnant water sitting in pipes, as well as from the solids caught up in the blockage.

5. Bubbling and Backflow

When you run water in your sink, shower or tub, watch out for water bubbling back up from the other drains in your home. One useful test for a main sewer blockage is to run the water in the sink closest to the toilet for one minute, watching out for a rise in water level or bubbling in the toilet.

What to Do When You Discover a Main Sewer Blockage

Clogs in the main sewer drain are usually too far from your plumbing fixtures to dislodge with a plumbing snake. If you suspect a blockage exists deep in the main sewer, you'll need to contact a plumbing service through resources like http://www.royaltyonline.com.au to deal with the problem. Don't put off making the call; if you delay too long, the sewer line could become completely blocked, leading to a flood in your home when you try to flush the toilet.

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