The sewer line is the pipe that connects your home to the main sewer line in the street. It runs under your driveway or sidewalk, connecting to the sewer system. Your sewer line may be clogged because it’s too long, too narrow, or not properly maintained. But there are many other reasons why your sewer line might be clogged that you need to consider. Here are some things to look for, and steps for what you can do when the main sewer line in your Denver home clogs up.

The main thing to do in a situation like this is not to panic. Stay calm and do a little troubleshooting to gather information before calling a Denver sewer service. That way you can give them detailed information that will help them solve the problem quickly and efficiently.

Signs to look for:

•Multiple slow-running drains. Usually, when you have a problem like this, it’s not just one drain that is affected. You may start to notice other drains running slowly, with the ones closest to the clog being the slowest. One slow drain is not a sign of trouble, but when it’s several, it is an indicator that something is wrong.

•Other drains backing up. Another sign of a main sewer line clog is when you flush the toilet and brackish water starts backing up in your sink or shower drain. It may also occur when using the washing machine, or whenever water is flushed through a drain. The water can’t get through the clog, so it goes wherever it can.

•Gurgling sounds. This familiar sound is often heard when the clog is still able to drain water, but it is having difficulty. It may appear as a “glug, glug, glug” after flushing the toilet or turning off the sink tap. A gurgling sound is an indicator that something is blocking the line making it difficult to drain.

•Foul odors coming from the drains. If you get a really bad smell coming up out of your drains, it’s an indicator that sewage water is collecting in them, and the smell is creeping up.

What to Do About Possible Main Sewer Line Clog

If you have all the signs of a main sewer line clog, don’t panic. This is something that can be fixed with the right tools and experience. Proceed with the next steps.

1. Stop using the water!

The water has nowhere to go and will just continue filling up the drain, so stop using water. You’re adding to the problem every time you let any water down the drain.

2. Find your sewer & main clean out line

Locate your sewer clean out line. It may be located in your yard or under the house, possibly in the basement. This saves time and will help you get to the clog faster. Open the cap to release some of the pressure in the line but be careful to avoid contact with any water that comes out. If your clean out is in the basement or in a crawl space, you may want to just call a plumber because it can be a tricky job.

3. Clear the clog, if you can - Check out our blog on How to clear a main line clog?

If you happen to be a handy DIYer, you may be able to rent an industrial snake from an equipment supply company and clear the clog yourself. A professional plumbing-grade snake can usually clear most clogs with a little time and patience. Run the snake down the main line until you clear the blockage. If you don’t think you have the skills, or would rather avoid DIY, just call a Denver sewer expert like Drain Brain to come out and do the job.

Avoiding Future Clogs

Having to deal with clogs is not fun, so avoiding that situation is better for everyone. Follow these tips for preventing future clogs.

Never put bacon grease, coffee grounds, paint, or anything else down your drain. Grease solidifies at room temperature, so the grease from those hamburgers you cooked last night can cause another block, if you’re not careful. Pour hot grease into an empty food can and throw it in the trash when cooled.

Never flush baby wipes, paper towels, or facial cleaning tissues down the toilet. These materials do not dissolve and clump up in the drains. No matter how wet a baby wipe or paper towel gets, it won’t break down enough to pass through efficiently.

Use eco-friendly toilet paper. It’s nice to have fluffy soft toilet paper (leading brand names) but what you want is toilet paper that dissolves efficiently. The way to test it is to place one square in the toilet bowl and leave it there for an hour. If it hasn’t broken down after that time, you should try a different brand. Denver sewer services recommend septic-safe toilet paper. 

Sewer line blockages are usually caused by a broken sewer pipe or tree roots that have grown into the pipes. Main sewer pipes are at least six inches in diameter, so a hair clog or other minor issues are unlikely to be the cause. ... It's also possible a severe clog such as years of grease buildup has blocked the pipe.

Main sewer Line Clog Cost

The national average cost to unclog a main sewer line is between $350 and $650, with most people paying around $475 to clean a mid-sized clog by hydro jetting the main sewer pipe between a house and municipal main line.

Drain Brain LLC does the Sewer and Drain video inspections for $100.00

Service Areas

Arvada, Aurora, Lakewood, Bennet, Broomfield, Brighton, Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Centennial, Commerce City, Columbine, Dacono, Erie, Englewood, Firestone, Federal Heights, Ft Lupton, Golden, Greenwood Village, Greeley, Hudson, Highlands Ranch, Ken Caryl, Lafayette, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Louisville, Northglenn, Superior, Sherrelwood, Thornton, Welby, Windsor, Westminster, Wheat Ridge, Westminster and more call today 720-322-4845

Thinking quickly and having a plan of action is the key to solving main sewer lines clogs. Call Drain Brain @ 720-322-4845, your Denver sewer service company today, for all types of plumbing, sewer, and mainline cleanout services. We’ll get you back up and running again in no time!

Drain Brain LLC is a Full-Service sewer, drain inspection & repair company in Thornton, CO. Known as a drain’s specialist, we serve commercial and residential customers in the Denver metro area by providing professional sewer inspection, sewer maintenance, drain cleaning, trenchless sewer line repairs, sewer camera inspection & scope services, as well as trenchless sewer line repairs for your specific needs. Be assured that our specialists will help you when your sewer backs up and have it functioning properly in no time at all and we offer 24/7 emergency services.

Don't let your clogged drain give you a headache, contact our invaluable drain cleaning experts for sewer inspections and repairing sewer lines.