Minor plumbing issues like clogged drains are routine parts of home ownership, but sometimes larger problems can create major hassles. A jammed sewer line will prevent wastewater in your home from reaching the municipal sewer, resulting in slow-running drains or water coming back up through your toilet or shower. To determine whether you need a sewer drain cleaning, learn about the signs of this problem below.

3 Indicators That You Need Sewer Drain Cleaning

1. Lingering Smells Around Drains

While decaying food scraps left to sit in a sink strainer can create temporary odors, lingering foul smells around your kitchen or bathroom drains are clear signs of sewer issues. That’s because the clogged sewer line can start to backwash sewage into the wastewater, which will leave an unpleasant smell around drain openings. You may even see raw sewage backing up the pipe. Don’t mask the odors with air fresheners – call a plumber to address the root of the problem.

2. Multiple Slow or Clogged Drains

A single backed-up drain can be the result of hair, grease, and other debris clogging the trap or portion of the pipe. However, if multiple lines are draining slowly at the same time, you probably need sewer drain cleaning. When the main line clogs, all the wastewater in your home will have a harder time draining, leading to simultaneous backups or slow drains in several parts of your home. You may also notice water backing up into the shower or bathtub when you’re washing a load of laundry.

3. You Haven’t Had a Sewer Drain Cleaning for Years

As a preventive measure, you should have this cleaning service performed every 18 months to two years. Shifting earth and tree roots can both interfere with your sewer drain, leading to frequent clogs as debris catches on roots or broken pipes. If left unattended, the problem will only worsen, potentially necessitating a sewer line replacement. Call your plumber for a video inspection or hydrojetting. 

If you think you have a problem with your sewer line, get an evaluation from the experts at A. Stevens Plumbing & Heating. For more than three decades, they’ve offered plumbing repairs and replacements, water heater installation, sewer drain cleaning, and heating services throughout the New York’s Hudson Valley region, including Putnam, Westchester, Orange County, and Rockland counties. To schedule service, call (845) 496-5903 and visit them online to learn more about their offerings.