Slow Drains All Over the House? Check the Main Line

One slow sink is usually just a clog in that sink's drain. But when the tub, the toilets and the kitchen sink are all slow at the same time, the problem is almost always further down — in the main sewer line that carries everything from your house to the city sewer or septic tank.

Main line problems don't fix themselves, and they tend to get worse until wastewater has nowhere to go but back up into the house. Catching it early is much easier than cleaning up after a backup.

Signs the main sewer line is the problem

• More than one drain is slow at the same time, especially on the lowest floor
• Toilets gurgle or bubble when the washing machine drains or a sink empties
• Water rises in the tub or shower when you flush a toilet
• A sewer smell inside or in the yard (see why your house smells like sewer)
• Water or sewage coming up from a floor drain or the outdoor cleanout
• Soggy or unusually green patches of lawn along the sewer line

What usually causes it

• Tree roots. Roots look for water and can work their way into small cracks and joints in older sewer pipes, then grow into a mat that catches everything.
• Grease and wipes. Kitchen grease hardens inside the line, and "flushable" wipes don't break down the way toilet paper does (are flushable wipes really flushable?).
• A sagging section of pipe. A low spot holds water and waste instead of letting it flow.
• Old, cracked or collapsed pipe. Older clay and cast iron lines can crack, shift or break down over time.

Why a camera inspection comes first

Snaking a main line can get water moving again, but it doesn't tell you why it clogged. A sewer camera inspection sends a waterproof camera through the line so you can see exactly what's in there — roots, grease, a belly, or broken pipe — and where. That way you're paying to fix the actual problem, not guessing. Read more in sewer camera inspections: what they are and when you need one.

What to do right now

1. Cut back on water use — fewer showers, laundry and dishwasher loads — until the line is cleared.
2. Don't keep flushing a toilet that's backing up.
3. Skip chemical drain cleaners. They won't clear roots, and they can damage older pipes.
4. If sewage is coming up into the house, stop using water entirely and call for emergency plumbing help.

Get your main line checked

Carolina's A1 Plumbing Service clears main line clogs and uses camera inspections to show you what's going on before recommending a fix. Learn more about our sewer camera inspection and drain cleaning services. We serve Greer, Greenville, Spartanburg and the rest of the Upstate, 24/7. Call 864-365-8900.