Wastewater is a big health hazard. A sewer line that is clogged can be a source of a foul odor coming from the sink, toilet, bathtub, or even the shower. The foul odor is sewage that gets accumulated as a result of clogs. If it remains uncleared, it can become a breeding ground for germs.
Even a small blockage can slow down household processes as the drains gradually stop working. That is because these drainage pipes are connected to the septic tank or the local authority’s sewer system. As a result of clogged sewer lines, water levels in the toilet fluctuate while the flushing system doesn’t work.
Clogged drains attract a lot of repair costs. The repair costs can even rise more if the main sewer line is difficult to access.
Clogged Sewer Lines: What causes it?
Most sewer lines are around 4-6 inches in diameter. Usually, these drainage lines do not clog unless something seriously gets wrong in the system. A top cause of a clog is damage to the pipeline itself. If one of the pipes collapses or bends due to aging or any other reason, the water moving inside it freely ceases to do so.
Some of the most common things that can be the cause behind this are –
- A shift in the soil bed around the drainage pipe
- Corrosion happening in the pipe
- Construction works near the pipe making an impact on its structure
- Heavy traffic load above the main sewer line
- Damaged or leaky joints
Another probable reason behind blocked drainage lines is that they sag with time. The bend can be a top spot where debris starts accumulating, which ultimately results in a clog.
What Causes Debris in the Sewer Lines?
Most sewer lines have a common type of debris – fat. It might be surprising to hear that, but it happens because people often pour greases, fats, oils, and other things down a sink. With cold tap water running through, these components harden with time. As the clog happens, it can’t be undone by pouring hot water as the fat has hardened itself by then.
Other debris-causing items are paper towels, flushable wipes, sanitary products, rubber/latex products, etc. One should remember to never throw anything other than liquids and toilet papers at the sink, toilet, or any other drainage system.
How can a Clogged Drain be Fixed?
Dealing with a clogged drain is not anything like fixing a leaky faucet. So, all the DIY techniques fall short before this problem as it needs professional and expert services.
The best thing families can do is connect with the plumbing company to borrow their services. Professional plumbing service providers provide drain maintenance and sewer cleaning services. They make use of the latest tools and technology to ensure that blocked drainage pipes do not stand in the way of proper water flow. Therefore, consider calling the plumbers if you find water accumulating in the sink or draining slowly.
Final Words
Many clogged sewer lines happen gradually or with time. Although it is hardly possible to avoid such a scenario, there are some things you can do. For example, avoid throwing insoluble stuff at the sink, toilet line, or bathtub. Also, occasionally hire plumbers to clean the sewer lines to ensure an emergency drainage situation never arises. Regardless, what’s important is finding a reliable plumbing company.
