You turn the faucet for a refreshing glass of water or a nice, warm shower, but what comes gushing out is brown and smelly water. It can be a pretty horrible experience caused by the main sewer pipes to your home becoming clogged. If this has happened to you or if you just want to be prepared for this situation, then this blog has all the information about the causes of clogged sewer pipes, how to tell when it has happened, and what to do about it.

What causes main sewer clogs?

There are a number of reasons the main sewer pipe to your house might clog. It could be a case of built up material inside the pipe restricting the flow of water. Things like paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and other kinds of debris flushed down the toilet can cause this problem.

Another common cause is tree roots growing towards sewer pipes in search of water for sustenance. If the tree roots are strong enough, they can break through the sewer pipes, especially older ones. Roots often wrap around the pipe, eventually crushing it.

What are the warning signs?

Is there any way to anticipate a blocked sewer pipe before it gets as far as sewage coming out of your faucets? There are a few early warning signs, such as your toilet bowl filling up and draining slowly when you flush the toilet. You might also notice relationships between different outlets, such as the sink filling up when you flush the toilet, or the toilet gurgling when the washing machine is running. This happens because the water cannot escape through the main sewer pipe, so it will back up through other pipes leading into your home.

What to do next

If you suspect that your main sewer pipe is blocked, try to avoid running water or flushing the toilet if possible, as this can just make things worse. You can turn off the water supply to your home as an extra precaution. You might find DIY solutions to unblock your main sewer pipe online, but the best thing to do is call a plumber to resolve the problem professionally. Any wrong move could cause sewage water to start flooding into your house, so it is better not to take the risk.

If you have a problem with your home plumbing or main sewer pipe around Forsyth, Davie, Davidson, or Guilford Counties, then contact us and we’ll come out to assess the problem.