What Caused My Sewer Line to Become Clogged?

The most significant issue that could arise with your plumbing system is most likely a clog in the main sewer line. Because there is nowhere for the wastewater to go, your entire plumbing system is effectively rendered inoperable if the sewer drain becomes clogged. The key to everything is in removing that obstruction. Even the most frightening plumbing situations are less likely to include human waste if they can be avoided. We are sorry to be the ones to break this to you, but unfortunately, yes, this does happen on occasion.

To our great relief, the majority of potentially disastrous plumbing issues can be avoided with a minimum of effort. Taking a few fundamental precautions is the most effective approach to prevent sewage from backing up into your home. If you have a sewer drain pipe that doesn't seem to be draining properly, it's probably due to one of the following three issues:

Tree Roots in Sewer Line

This is of particular importance for people who live in California, such as ourselves. In order to thrive, trees require moisture. In the event that they have less access to moisture than usual (for example, as a result of a drought), they will begin searching for water anyplace they can find it, including in your sewer system. Root tendrils as thin as human hair can squeeze through the tiniest holes or pipe fittings in your sewer drain pipe and eventually cause a lot of damage.

You shouldn't consider yourself to be in the clear simply because you don't have a large number of trees in your yard. Roots can extend to great distances. It's entirely possible that the root systems of the trees in your neighbor's yard were to blame for the sewage backup in your home. Cleaning and inspecting your sewer and drains on a regular basis are the two easiest things you can do to protect your property from damage caused by tree roots.

Sewer Clog

This is by far the most prevalent reason for sewage to back up into homes. Unfortunately, people will try to flush everything and everything down the toilet, even if it doesn't belong there. You name it: paper towels, oil, a beloved goldfish that has passed away. The problem is that when you flush stuff down your toilet that your pipes are not designed to handle, your pipes start to become clogged.

If you only see a clog in a single fixture, this indicates that the obstruction is most likely contained in a single group of pipes. That is encouraging news! If you see sewage backing up in fixtures located throughout your home or near your home's cleanout for the sewer, the clog is likely located in your main sewer line. That is a significant issue, and in order to solve it, you will require the assistance of a specialist. Be careful about what you flush down the toilet in order to avoid creating clogs like these in the first place. Never pour hot grease down a drain, and only use your garbage disposal when it's absolutely necessary.

A Sewer Line That Is Damaged Or Has Collapsed

There is nothing that will last forever, and that includes the sewer line in your home. Depending on how old your house is, the sewage line may have collapsed under the pressure of the earth piled on top of it, or it may have been built using materials that are no longer in use. Or a mix of the two of them together. While the majority of sewer lines in use today are constructed from long-lasting and heavy-duty plastic materials, this wasn't always the case in the past.

Pipes in older dwellings are typically made of either cast iron or clay. Over time, these materials could deteriorate and wear away to the point where they crack or even fall apart completely. When a collapse occurs in a sewer system, the sewage that is being processed cannot be directed anyplace else; as a result, it builds up. If you are concerned about the quality of your sewer line, you can have a skilled plumber perform a camera inspection of your pipes to see how they are currently functioning.

Cleaning and Maintenance of the Union City Sewer System

Contact CBJ Plumbing Union City NJ if you are experiencing plumbing problems in your house that may be caused by a clogged sewer. Whatever it is that you require for your sewer line, we can provide it. Even if it seems revolting, that's exactly why we're here to help.