Where Does Your Garbage Go?

What To Expect When You Have A Clogged Sewer Drain Serviced

If you notice dark sludge backing into your bathtub when taking a shower or after a bath, then your drain problems go far beyond a drain clogged with hair. When contents from the sewer drain seep into your tub, it's a sign of a major clog that needs to be dealt with right away for health reasons. Here's what you can expect when you call in a plumber to repair your drain.

Determining The Cause Of The Clog

A video inspection of the drain lets you know what's causing the clog. One of the main causes of a clog of the exit drain from your home is tree roots. If you have roots in your drain, you want to know it because they will continue to cause problems for years to come. The plumber can cut the roots out, but they eventually grow back. The big problem with roots is that they crack the pipe and can even cause it to collapse. When the drain finally collapses, you'll be faced with expensive repairs that could involve digging up and replacing the pipe or pulling through a new liner.

On the other hand, the video inspection may reveal the problem is just a buildup of soap scum, grease, paper or other debris. Knowing what causes the clog helps the plumber determine the best way to fix the problem.

Clearing The Drain

The plumber has a few options for clearing out the drain. He or she may use a drain snake that chops up any debris that is in the way, including tree roots. Another approach is to use a strong water jet. The blast of water pushes the debris through the pipe and into the sewer system. The advantage of using water is that it is able to blast off scale buildup on the sides of the drain and clean the pipe as well as possible. If the scale is very thick, it decreases the diameter of the pipe, which contributes to slow drainage of water from your home. With the clogs blown out and the sides of the pipes blasted clean, the waste water from your home should flow out much quicker.

Repairing Damaged Drains

If a tree root has cracked the drain, you may want to repair it right away, or you may want to take a wait and see approach. If the crack is big enough that sewer contents leak into your yard, then you definitely want to make repairs. If the crack has caused the drain to partially collapse, then repairing sooner rather than later is best because if you wait, the drain may fully collapse and stop the flow of waste water. If the crack is still small and not affecting the structure of the drain, you may be able to postpone repairs. However, if the crack remains, the roots will invade them again and cause a clog. You could repeat the cycle of clearing the roots and waiting for them to grow back for years.

The quickest and easiest solution for fixing a cracked sewer drain is to pull a new liner through the inside of the drain. The liner hardens in place and forms a barrier on the inside of the drain that seals the cracks and keeps roots from getting inside. This method only works on drains that haven't collapsed yet. Once collapse has occurred, the plumber will probably have to dig up the old pipe and completely replace it with a new one. That's why you should act quickly when you have drain problems. That way you'll know for sure what is going on and what kind of repairs are needed for immediate relief and for protection from major expenses in the future.

For more information regarding damaged drains, contact businesses such as Roto-Rooter Sewer And Drain Cleaning Service.


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