Blocked sewers are a very common issue faced by just about any household. They can be frustratingly inconvenient and if not treated promptly, can result in serious damage to your property. Knowing the common causes of blockages and how to fix them could save you time, money, and stress. In this in-depth guide, we will explore common causes of blocked sewers and how to fix them…
Tree Root Intrusion
Probably one of the most common reasons for blocked sewers (particularly in older homes) is tree root intrusion. Tree roots grow and search for sources of water, penetrating small cracks or joints in sewer pipes. Over time these roots will continue to grow in size, leading to further breakages of your pipes and holding onto various debris to block it. This will require removing the invading roots and repairing the damaged pipe. The plumber will use specialised equipment, like root cutters or hydro-jetting machines, to remove the roots.
Flushing Non-Biodegradable Items
Other common causes of blocked sewers are non-biodegradable items flushed down toilets or drains, namely wet wipes, including those marked as “flushable,” sanitary products, cotton swabs, and dental floss. These things just don’t dissolve in water and can build up in pipes forming blockages that are very hard to force out of the pipes. Prevention is the best cure for this problem, so educate the members of your household on what can and cannot be flushed. Only toilet paper and human waste should go down the toilet.
Grease and Fat Buildup
Washing pouring of cooking oils, grease, and fat down the kitchen sinks is a common mistake and causes serious blockages of sewers. These items, when liquid at high temperatures, become solid in the pipes thus sticking on the sides and trapping other debris. With time, this can cause massive blockages which are tricky to get rid of. Professional cleaning is mostly required to fix blockages related to grease. Now plumbers can finally abrade and clean out all that built-up grease by combining chemical treatment and mechanical cleaning. Prevent it in the first place by not pouring oil or grease down the drain. Either let it cool and then dispose of it in the trash or collect for recycling, if this is available in your area.
Pipe Damage or Collapse
Ageing of the sewer system, ground movements, and external pressure can result in cracking, collapsing, and misalignment of pipes. Debris will be most likely trapped on rough surfaces or within gaps, thus forming blockages. Sometimes the pipe collapses completely, totally blocking the passage of wastes. Such damage may require professional help, ranging from repairing only those spots to a complete replacement of pipes. These are very often fixed with very little property disruption by state-of-the-art techniques, such as trenchless pipe repair. Regular sewer line inspections may turn up potential problems before they become major blockages or collapses.
Insufficient Water Flow
Low pressure or poor water flow sometimes causes blocked sewers, particularly in the bottom parts of your plumbing system. If the water pressure is too weak to drive the solid wastes out of your way, it will simply collect until the system gets blocked. Make sure that your house has good water pressure. If this appears to be more universal within your local area, you may need to call upon your local water authority. Additional installation of a water pump works in some cases to increase the flow. Regular flushing of infrequently used drains and toilets avoids the build-up in low-flow areas.
Foreign Objects
Most blockages—immediate and severe—are due to the accidental flushing of foreign objects, mostly by children. This includes toys, jewelry, or any other small object that can get stuck in pipes and catch other debris on its way until there is a complete blockage. This normally requires professional help to recover foreign objects. Plumbers make use of cameras in locating the position of an object and specialised tools in removing it. This sometimes requires the removal of a section of pipe in order to reach the blockage. Prevent this by keeping toilet lids covered when not in use, and educate children in the proper use of toilets.
Mineral Buildup
With time, hard water can throw off mineral deposits inside the pipes, thus narrowing the passage and eventually blocking it. Of course, the process is slow but generally results in problems that could become big. Prolonged mineral buildup may be treated with chemical solutions to dissolve the same or through mechanical cleaning methods such as hydro-jetting. In the long run, however, a water softener system should be installed to prevent mineral buildup from your main water supply.
Sagging Sewer Lines
Over time, sections of the sewer pipe can sag—either from ground settling or poor installation. Low points in the line gather waste and debris that eventually create blockages. It is normally not possible to repair a sagging sewer line without excavation and realignment of the pipes or replacement; thus, these are jobs for professional plumbers and may involve extensive work in your yard. Regular sewer line inspections will help to identify any sagging issues before they cause major blockages.
Clogged Sewer Vent Pipe
The sewer vent pipe extends from your main sewer line, up through your roof, to off-gas sewer gases and maintains the pressure in the system. If this vent becomes plugged, it could knock the whole sewer system out of whack and contribute to blockages. If the vent pipe is blocked, cleaning it out may require climbing up to the roof to clean around the top of the vent. It could just be that flushing or snaking the vents rids it of blockages inside in some other cases. This can easily be avoided with a schedule of proper maintenance and inspection.
While many minor issues can be easily fixed at home with a plunger or sewer snake most sewage problems really do require professional help. Using the right tools and expertise, professional plumbers will find and clear even the worst blockages without causing further damage to your plumbing system. Keep in mind that your sewer system is part of your home; take good care of it, fix problems quickly and it will serve you a lifetime – you’ll save time, money and trouble from disruption or inconvenience. If problems persist or you think that you have a clogged sewer, again, contact a professional plumber as soon as possible.