Tackling A Blocked Sewer Line
A blocked sewer line is a plumbing issue no homeowner wants to experience. If left unattended, it can cause untreated wastewater and sewage to back up out of the sinks, tubs, toilets and other plumbing fixtures throughout your home, creating a big mess inside. No matter what, you certainly will know when you have a clogged sewer line.
Acting fast is essential to avert more serious problems, such as mold, pests, burst sewer pipes, and structural damage to your house, from arising down the road. That said, here is what to do when your sewer line gets blocked.
Disconnect The Water Supply To Your Entire House
When you have a blocked sewer line, you should stop using the plumbing fixtures in your entire house until you resolve the problem. If you turn on a faucet or flush the toilet, you may end up flooding your house with unsightly, smelly water.
The first step in the repair process for a clogged sewer line is shutting off your residential water supply to prevent a worsening of the problem. That way, you can avoid a sewer backup if you absentmindedly use any plumbing in the house.
To stop the water flow for emergency sewer repairs, you should find the main water shut-off valve to your house and turn its handle clockwise until it can no longer turn. The valve may be located inside or outside your home, right next to the water meter.
Bring In An Emergency Plumber Immediately
While you can often fix the clogs in your residential drains with basic plumbing tools, such as plungers and drain augers, sewer line blockages require specialized plumbing equipment you may not have. Professional plumbers use a wide range of advanced pipe inspection and cleaning tools, equipment, and techniques to repair blocked sewer lines.
These include the following:
- Sewer cameras
- Hydrophones
- Sewer jetters
- Power rodders
These tools and equipment allow for faster and less invasive diagnosis and repair of sewer line blockages, reducing the chance of more severe outcomes.
A sewer line blockage is not one of those plumbing issues that can wait until a regular plumber is available to fix it. The sooner you bring in a plumber to tackle the problem, the sooner you can get your plumbing working well again. Waiting until the situation worsens will increase the risk of extensive water damage in your home and lead to expensive plumbing repairs.
For more information about sewer repair, contact a local plumber.
