A Plano homeowner called us three times around 1 a.m. about her drains. She turned out to be one of the nicest customers we've had, and it made us realize most people don't know when a sewer problem actually needs a middle-of-the-night call and when it can wait until morning.
Call a plumber right away if:
- Sewage is coming up in a tub, shower, or floor drain
- Water keeps backing up even when you stop using water
- You smell gas (that's a different emergency: get outside and call 911 and your gas company)
It can usually wait until morning if:
- Drains are slow or gurgling, but nothing is backing up
- The problem stops when you stop running water
In the meantime, stop running water, don't flush, and skip the chemical drain cleaners. They don't do anything to roots, and they're hard on your pipes.
What we found in her line
When we dug it up, roots had worked their way into the sewer line. This is the most common reason people end up paying to have their main line snaked every few months. A cable cuts a hole through the roots, the drain flows again, and the roots grow back thicker.
How we fixed it
We cut out the damaged section, replaced it with new PVC, and installed a two-way cleanout (the two pipes you see sticking up). Now the line can be cleaned or inspected with a camera in either direction without pulling a toilet.
The takeaway
If you're paying for drain cleaning on your main line more than once a year, get a camera inspection before you pay for another cleaning. Roots, a sag in the line, or a shifted joint won't fix themselves.