Stoppages are the most common and the most troublesome plumbing problem that homeowners face. No one likes the sewer backing up into their tub or the toilet overflowing onto the bathroom floor. Our plumbers are on hand 24-hours a day to help with this emergency problem.
Causes:
For most homeowners, sewer lines clog because of roots. Roots have a bad habit of growing into main sewer line joints. Once this happens debris begins to catch on the roots -- blocking the sewer, and then backing up into the yard clean out (which you should have) or your bathtub or toilet. This is called a mainline sewer stoppage. There really is only one option when this happens – call a plumber. Our plumbers will use what is called a root cutter head on the tip of the sewer machine cable and send it through your line. This should clear out most of the roots, relieving the sewer stoppage. If the root problem becomes persistent, a video line will be sent through the sewer line. The mainline sewer video is performed by sending a camera head attached to a cable down the main sewer line. This will give the plumber and the homeowner the evidence that is needed to identify exactly where the root problem is coming from. At this point, the plumber will then discuss with you various options of solving the problem. The plumber may recommend that you have the sewer joint replaced. Depending on the severity of the problem, if the roots have broken or crushed the sewer line in various spots, the plumber will probably recommend that section of the sewer line be replaced. Our plumbers will show the homeowner a sewer video of the before, and another sewer video after repair; that way our customer has piece of mind that the sewer was fixed properly and to their satisfaction.
Drain Line Stoppages -- kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks and toilets:
Another common stoppage area is the kitchen sink. Kitchen sink stoppages occur mainly when grease or cooking oils are rinsed down the drain. Soap can also build up on the walls of the drain line. In most homes, the kitchen drain line is also connected to the laundry drain line. When the lint from the laundry drain meets the grease buildup from soap and food products, a nearly rock solid substance can form -- causing a blockage. Using Liquid Plumber or Drano on a line that is draining slowly should be okay (though this is a band-aid solution), but DO NOT use caustic liquid drain openers on a drain line that is completely clogged. The caustic ingredients are trapped in your pipes and can severely damage them. NEVER use caustic drain openers in a drain line that has a garbage disposal. For more information on your garbage disposal, please see our garbage disposal page.
One of the worst stoppages for a homeowner occurs in the toilet. A toilet stoppage is terrible when the plunger doesn’t work, the water keeps rising in the toilet bowl and is about to spill onto the floor. When this happens shut off the angle stop (the knob at the wall that connects to the toilet is a shut-off valve). This will stop the toilet from filling with water. At this point you can try and plunge the toilet again to get the water to go down the drain. If it goes down, but very slowly, you may want to call a plumber to come out and auger your toilet.
If you find that your bathtub or bathroom sink drains are clogging, you may want to buy a drain strainer. The strainer will catch hair, soap, and other debris, and can help prevent stoppages.
No matter what kind of stoppage, whether it is a sewer stoppage, sink stoppage, or a toilet stoppage, we are here to help you. Please give us a call anytime (we are here 24 hours a day 7 days a week).
