Fixing Slow Drains: Troubleshooting Clogs and Backups in Sewer Lines from Nearly Services's blog

Few things are more frustrating than waiting forever for sinks to drain or toilets to flush. Slow drains that barely trickle signal trouble in your sewer line. Left unaddressed, sluggish drainage leads to messy and hazardous sewage backups. 

By understanding the most common causes of lagging drains and sewage backups, you can take action to restore free flow before major disasters strike. In this post we’ll explore troubleshooting tips to solve slow drainage issues. Comprehensive solutions for sewer and drain cleaning, addressing blockages and ensuring a smoothly flowing plumbing system.

Start by Identifying Affected Fixtures

Pinpoint which fixtures are slow to drain. If all sinks, tubs and toilets in the house are equally slow, the main sewer line leaving your home is likely obstructed. If only one fixture lags, the problem is isolated to its drain line. 

You can isolate issues by flushing toilets or running sinks and testing drainage speed. Troubleshoot each sluggish fixture separately before moving on to the main sewer line.

Check P-Traps Under Sinks 

Remove sinks P-traps to inspect for debris or buildup slowing drainage. Clean out trapped gunk and reattach traps. Test sinks to see if speed improves. Clogged traps cause isolated sluggishness.

Inspect Sink and Shower Drains

Peer down all sinks and shower drains. If you see excessive amounts of hair or debris collected in drains, snaking the fixtures will likely restore flow. Built up gunk often blocks fixture drains directly.

Plunge the Toilet

Use a plunger to forcefully plunge toilets several times. This compresses air in the drain to dislodge minor obstructions. Flush again and observe if speed increases. Simple plunging can quickly unclog toilets.

Snake Fixture Drains 

For sinks, showers or toilets still slow after cleaning and plunging, snaking the drains may be needed. Feed a hand auger or small electric snake into drain openings. Twisting the cable scrubs pipe walls and clears gunk.

Check Main Sewer Cleanouts

Remove the cap from outdoor sewer line cleanouts. Inspect using a flashlight for any visible roots or debris blocking the main drain. If clear, the backup is further down the sewer line. Replace the cleanout cap securely.

Use a Drain Snake on Main Lines

For consistent backups in multiple fixtures, run a powered electric drain snake down your home’s main sewer cleanout. Advance at least 10 feet past where all fixtures tie together. This distance covers most simple clogs in the main line.

Inspect the Entire Sewer Line

If snaking the main line near your home doesn’t improve drainage, the clog is deeper in the sewer pipes. Call a professional plumber to fully video inspect the buried sewer pipes with a drain camera. Locate any obstructions.

Hydrojet or Professionally Snake Sewers 

Major sewer clogs beyond your property often require commercial hydro jetting services. High pressure water propels specialized jets through pipes to scour away debris. Mechanical rod machines are used for severe root or hard deposits. 

Repair Any Pipe Damage Found

If video inspection reveals cracks, broken joints, roots or other damage, these vulnerabilities need repair to prevent recurring drainage issues. Spot repairs or full sewer line replacement may be warranted.