Tips from a Fort Lauderdale Plumber on Detecting Sewer Line Blockages
Sewer line backups are plumbing emergencies waiting to happen and there is no question that you should call a Fort Lauderdale plumber when you first suspect a problem. If the issue is not addressed you could wind up with an ugly mess in your home and a backhoe digging up your front yard. This is an experience (and an expense) that you definitely want to avoid.
So how can you tell if you have a potential sewer line backup? Here are a few tips to help you make a plumbing diagnosis:
- Toilets are usually the first indicators. If all of the toilets in your house are slow to flush and plunging seems to have minimal effect you may have a sewer line blockage. Turn on the faucet in the sink closest to the toilet and let it run a bit. If you see bubbles percolating up in the toilet bowl you have air in the line, another indicator of a sewage line backup or a cracked sewage line pipe.
- Shower drains are sometimes the first indicators because they are the closest (lowest) to the sewer line. Again if all your shower drains are slow to drain you may have a problem. However shower drains are subjected to hair, sand and other debris so you may want to try a natural drain cleaner like vinegar flushed with hot water before calling a plumber.
- If your tub or toilet backs up while your washing machine is draining you have a blockage somewhere and it could be the sewer line.
- Lastly, if you have main sewer line clean out you can open it and check for water. There should be no water standing in the clean out pipe. If there is water present there is no doubt about having a sewer line blockage.
A Sewer Line Blockage is not a Do It Yourself Project
A homeowner can diagnose the general problem but attempts to clear a blockage can do more harm than good. You need to call a reputable Fort Lauderdale plumber like Paradise Service Technologies where our objective is to satisfy customers with competitive pricing and service second to none.
Our technicians have the experience and the equipment to handle any blockage efficiently and effectively. As a rule, the sooner the problem is dealt with the faster it can be remedied and the less it will cost to perform. If you are experiencing slow drains, give us a call and arrange an appointment at a time that is convenient for you.