This is a home that had to have it’s main sewer line dug up and repaired. Many older homes are having to have this done and many are not covered by home owners insurance.
Having a functional, comfortable, and healthy home depends a lot on one vital feature: your plumbing system. When part of your plumbing system (or its entirety) is damaged or not working correctly, you stand to face a variety of problems that will make living in your home highly stressful and even unbearable. Damaged or blocked sewerage is a plumbing emergency issue that should be dealt with immediately to avoid health issues.
The main sewer line is a crucial component of your plumbing system. It is the primary plumbing line that directs all waste from the toilets, showers, sinks and bathtubs out of the house and in the direction of the main sewer.
If the main sewer line is not in tip-top condition, you need to schedule blocked sewer repair immediately. This is because a blocked main sewer can cause a lot of plumbing issues. Failure to deal with this plumbing problem straightaway can lead to more complicated issues that may worsen over time.
A blockage is the most common problem that you may encounter with your main sewer line. The sooner you detect a blockage, the more likely it is that you will be able to fix it without going through a lot of hassle and paying for expensive repairs.
To avoid a blown-out, costly plumbing problem, you have to be aware of (and be on the lookout for) the top warning symptoms that indicate your main sewer line is blocked:
The biggest indication that the main sewer line is obstructed is that several of your plumbing fixtures are all blocked at the same time, or one after another. This will come in the form of water backing up out of the toilet or drain.
Generally, toilets are the first fixtures to experience plumbing or backing up problems. Pretty soon, you will notice the other low-lying installations having issues, too. These include the shower, bathtub, and sink on your house’s main level.
If there are signs that the drain of your sewer is blocked, start by checking the toilet, followed by the other fixtures.
When you notice your sinks, toilets, shower drains, and tub draining slowly, or not at all, this is usually a sign that your main sewer line is blocked.
Other appliances and fixtures may be affected by the blockage as well. If the water from the washing machine or laundry room keeps backing up, there could be an obstruction somewhere along the line.
Tree roots are the most common culprit behind a main sewer line blockage. If there is a big tree near or in the area where your main sewer line is located, its roots could be the problem.
This is an issue that is often unavoidable if you have an older sewer made of clay or concrete. The tree roots will have an easier time working their way inside the pipe through the pipe joints.
To make matters worse, small feeder roots may also find their way inside the pipes since they are always seeking moisture. Once the roots are inside, they will grow bigger and start acting like a net that will catch toilet paper and waste. They will then form a blockage that will need to be handled by a competent provider of plumbing services in Melbourne.
If you hear gurgling sounds whenever you flush your toilet, or noises coming out of places they shouldn’t (or don’t usually) come from, your main sewer line may already be blocked.
This sloshing sound is usually caused by the tree roots that have already crept in the sewer line. Their presence will lead to the strange, disturbing sounds you will hear coming from your toilet and plumbing fixtures.
If you notice slow draining and gurgling sounds from your toilet and plumbing fixtures, you need to take immediate action to remove the roots. Otherwise, a complete sewer line block will occur. This will be an even more expensive and onerous issue to deal with.
The sewer cleanout refers to a pipe that comes with a cap which connects to the sewer line. This allows for obstructions to be easily removed. The sewer cleanout is also connected to the lateral sewer line which connects your home to the public sewer system.
This plumbing part is usually located in the basement. However, some homes have more than one cleanout. The other ones can often be found near your house or the property line, or both.
Once you have located your sewer cleanouts, check the area around them to see if there is sewage outflow or any sign of leakage. If you notice one or both of these, you already have a blockage in the sewer line that may already extend to the main line.
A sewer line blockage, especially if found in the main line, is a plumbing issue that you should never handle yourself. Professional inspection, cleaning, repairs, and maintenance are required to have your plumbing system working correctly again.
As such, if you notice any of the signs above, get in touch with us quickly. We will resolve your main sewer line problem immediately and effectively. We can help you if you are in the South Melbourne suburbs such as Port Melbourne, Albert Park, Middle Park, St Kilda & Surrounds.