Signs That It’s Time to Call a Plumber
A plumber is needed to verify the condition of your home’s sewer lines and to determine whether they need to be repaired or replaced. Plumbers will inspect the current situation and recommend the most effective way to repair or replace the pipe. Here are three services that might be needed: Drain video inspection. Since the sewer line is buried underground, it’s very hard to access and view what’s actually going on. If a problem occurs in the main line, the other lines will also need to be inspected to determine if the damage is minor or major.
Clogged sewer system. Sometimes the main drain in a house is clogged. The only way to tell is to have a plumber to inspect the pipes. Sometimes it’s impossible to find out why a drain is clogged because the clog is inside a large drain like a manhole. In this case, a professional plumber can clear the clog so that water can flow through the pipes.
Clogged sewer main pipe. When a sewer line is blocked, a plumber needs to be called. A blockage can cause water to back up in your pipes until it breaks free and goes down the drain. Even if you have drain cleaners in your household, if the blockage is serious, a plumber is needed to remove the blockage and to determine if the problem will require sewer main pipe replacement or repair.
Sidewalk clog. Another common type of clog is a sidewalk clog. This type of clog can be very persistent. If left un-solved, it can damage your sewer lines, your walls and even foundation of your building. This is why most residential and commercial plumbers recommend calling a professional plumber to take care of pipe blockages.
Toilet blockage. Another symptom of a clogged sewer is toilet paper being flushed down the toilet. When you are trying to get rid of a toilet paper blockage, the plumber may recommend using a plunger. If a toilet plunger doesn’t work, the plumber may suggest using an excessive amount of water on the toilet to help unblock the drain.
Clogged kitchen sink. When a clogged drain becomes severe, it may be time to call a plumber. You don’t want to wait until it has become too bad to fix the problem. While your main sewer line is running, there are two main ways you can unclog a clogged drain in the sink. The first is by replacing the kitchen sink with one that is larger, or by buying a kitchen sink that will fit the size of the drain.
Tree Roots. A clogged sewer line clogs the flow of water through pipes. Tree roots are known for entering and growing inside the pipes and then embedding themselves deep into them. When a plumbing system is this old, a plumber might need to be called to clear out the tree roots and restore the proper flow of water to the house.
Bad Plumbing. If your toilet or commode still isn’t working after replacing the parts, it’s likely the clog is in part because your water backing is faulty. A plumber can check your water backing to see if it needs cleaning out, but more often than not, the clog will be caused by root exposure. A router is used to clear out the clog and prevent future problems.
Leaky Pipes. If your bathroom sink is leaking or you are noticing water dripping when you shower or bath, then your plumbing is probably leaking somewhere. A plumber can check out the pipes behind the counter or wall to see if they are causing the problem. A blocked drain can cause the water to back up and ruin your flooring or wallpaper. A faulty or worn pipe can lead to a clog, which will eventually lead to a blocked drain. Calling a plumber for a clogged drain is an emergency job and should be done right away to avoid further damage.
Wastewater Backing. Finally, if your toilet or commode won’t flush and you are noticing an overflowing toilet or running water, it’s likely that the plumbing is backing up as a result of a clean-out plug from being blown out. This type of clean-out plug is typically located within the trap at the bottom of a toilet. Normally this plug will be covered with a mesh to protect the contents from the debris that may accumulate inside. However, in the case of a clog, the mesh is usually exposed because the trap has already been partially blocked by debris. In this case, calling a plumber is critical because it’s best not to risk any further damage to your property by operating a dirty-out plug while waiting for a professional to arrive.
While many people would rather spend the money on new appliances or fixtures, plumbing is a necessary evil in many homes. Since most of us have at least one clogged pipe or back up in the sewer, calling a plumber during a routine maintenance visit is a good idea. No matter what type of drain problem you are encountering, trustable plumbers will come to your rescue and offer the tools and expertise to save you time, money and stress.
