When your home or business has a clogged drain or sewer line, everything changes. It’s incredibly frustrating and it’s a huge inconvenience, right? It’s like life as we know it gets stopped in its tracks. Clogged drain service providers use a variety of tactics to help resolve issues like these. Don’t ignore a clog or signs of a clog – instead, turn to tips to help you resolve them and know when you need to call a plumber to help.
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Signs of a Clogged Drain or Sewer Line
One of the best things for you to know as a homeowner is what the signs of a clogged drain or sewer line are. Early warning signs can sometimes be easy to miss, but the more aware you are, the more proactive you can be! Check out these common symptoms:
- Slow draining in any drain, such as sinks, tubs, and showers
- Unpleasant or foul odors that seem to come from the drain
- Gurgling sounds or bubbling noises from drains or toilets
- Clogged fixture or backing up drains
- Water backups into tubs or through floor drains
If you are experiencing any of these, you need to start taking action. Anything repetitively clogging or backing up will likely need a plumber. For the early indicators, you may be able to follow some simple hacks.
Common Causes of Drain and Sewer Line Clogs
What causes these clogs to occur? It could be a number of issues, to be honest. Sometimes, it is poor habits in the household. Other times, it might be aging pipes or tree roots that are breaking into your pipes. These are some of the most common culprits:
- Foreign objects flushed or placed down the drain that lead to blockages
- Tree roots that have penetrated the pipelines
- Aging pipes with corrosion or scale buildup
- Hair and soap scum building up in the drains and lines
- Grease or food waste built up over time
Possible DIY Solutions for Minor Clogs
While there are a few DIY solutions you can try, it is important to know that these will only handle minor clogs. If you try a DIY option and it isn’t effective, you need to call a plumber.
These are some simple DIY options for the minor clogs:
- Pour boiling water down the drain to dissolve soap scum or grease (when minor and at drain level)
- Try plunging sinks or toilets with a standard plunger
- Use a drain snake to remove shallow blockages or hair and minor debris
- Try a baking soda and vinegar solution to help loosen buildup
Do not use chemical drain cleaners. These are only temporary, and they can cause damage to your pipes.
When to Call the Professionals
The truth is you cannot handle every drain or sewer line issue with your own DIY methods. These solutions may only provide temporary relief or will only be effective for minor cases. If you attempt these methods and they don’t resolve the issue or it comes back quickly, you need a plumber. If you have multiple clogs or backups, you need a plumber. Professional plumbers have specialty training as well as tools and devices to help diagnose your issue and get it resolved.
Final Thoughts
Professionals who provide clogged drain service are there for you when you can’t quite remedy a minor issue. Don’t wait to call them until things are out of hand. It’s often better to call them early and get your issues resolved quickly to avoid bigger and more expensive problems in the future.
