Telltale Signs of a Sewer Drain Clog

Posted: Aug 16, 2013
Author: William Dustin Septic

A clogged sewer drain is a very serious problem that should be considered as an emergency. If you suspect a clog, do not use any part of your plumbing system until the blockage has been cleared by a professional sewer drain technician. In the meantime, you can look out for some signs that may indicate a sewer drain clog.

A very common sign of a sewer drain clog is when more than one plumbing fixture backs up. Toilets, in particular are affected by clogs, but other fixtures might also be involved. If you suspect a sewer drain clog, check other fixtures such as:

• Shower and Tub: Other drains that can be affected by a stoppage in the main line are those in the shower and bathtub. This is because they typically sit lower than a sink drain. Check to see if the shower and tub drains are blocked if you think there’s a clog in the sewer drain.

• Toilets: A toilet has the biggest drain line in a home, as well as the most direct path to the sewer. This means that if there is an issue with the sewer drain, you’ll notice it here. It’s very rare to have toilets working properly if there’s a main sewer line stoppage.

Another thing to do is look for trapped air in your plumbing system. You can do this by running water for a minute or so in the sink closest to the toilet. If you can see the water level in the toilet rising, or if the toilet bubbles, it’s very likely that the clog is in the sewer drain and not the toilet.