Clogged Main Drain Line: Causes and Solutions

Why is my main drain line getting clogged?

Ever dealt with a clogged main drain line? Imagine flushing the toilet, only to watch it back up—then noticing sewage rising in the shower. In a panic, you try to rinse it away, but now there’s standing water and nowhere for it to go. You call a plumber, who clears the clog and explains the cause. Problem solved… or so you think. But what if it keeps happening? Persistent clogs might be more than just stray wipes or hygiene products. If your main drain line keeps clogging, there could be a deeper issue at play.

Understanding your Home’s drainage system

Before we begin listing causes for the headache, we must understand the drainage system to the home! Every building has a separate connection linking its main building drain to the public sewer, known as the building sewer. This line, running from the structure to the public sewer, is typically made of cast iron, ABS piping, or PVC piping. Regardless of the material, the main drain runs beneath the structure and branches off to service every plumbing fixture in the building. Where, if given the proper amount of fall, waste will pass through the drain and eventually end up into the public sewer. Thus completing the harmonious system of proper waste disposal. 

What is a cleanout?

To figure out why a main drain line keeps clogging, first determine where the blockage is—either in the yard or under the residence. You can do this by locating the cleanouts, which are access points designed to remove obstructions. Most homes have cleanouts outside, appearing as capped pipes sticking out of the ground, usually made of the same material as the drain line. If you’ve had your drain unclogged before, you may know their location. Once found, carefully remove the cap to see if there’s a blockage.

NOTE: ***Be careful when removing this cap, as the pipe itself may be filled with raw sewage. If the thought makes you feel uncomfortable, or you lack the proper PPE (Personal protection equipment), I would personally recommend you reach out to a professional to aid in your plumbing woes.*** Once this cap has been removed you will see one of two things:

• The pipe has standing sewage- If you are seeing this, the drain is experiencing a clog in the yard. Somewhere between the building drain and the public sewer.

• The pipe is empty- If you are seeing this, then the drain is experiencing a clog underneath the foundation of the residence.

So what does this mean if the pipe is holding sewage or not? Well, it allows the plumbing technician to give you some options for the next steps in resolving your current drain issues.

Hydrostatic Testing

If the drain line isn’t holding sewage, it may indicate a compromised line under the residence. To confirm, a plumber can perform a hydrostatic test to check the system’s integrity. During this test, the technician fills the line with water to observe if any leaks appear. If the system holds water, your drain line is likely intact. However, if water escapes, this suggests a compromised line under the slab, which may impact multiple areas of the home. At this stage, consider a camera inspection to pinpoint the exact issue and location of the damage.

Camera Inspection, is it necessary?

Whether or not you notice standing water in your exterior cleanouts, a camera inspection is an excellent way to see what’s happening inside your drain lines. This tool helps the technician visually identify compromised areas and, when paired with a locator, pinpoint the exact location of a breakage. The locator also reveals the precise depth of the buried pipe, making repairs more efficient.

What is causing the continuous backups in my drainage system?

Finally, the question at hand! What is causing continuous backups in my drainage system? Well it could simply be a buildup of  toilet paper, paper towels, hygiene products, maybe even a combination of all of them. If you’ve experienced a failed hydrostatic test or a stubborn clog that just won’t clear, several potential issues could be at play:

Collapses

There are various ways a drain line can collapse. A collapsed line can result from a shifting foundation, deterioration of the existing drain, or intrusive roots causing major breakages. This type of damage requires immediate attention, as it often leads to significant (and costly) repairs.

Blockages

Much like collapses, blockages can happen in various ways. Some may seem like minor inconveniences, while others require major repairs. Having compacted build up such as paper towels, wipes, hygiene products, and other small foreign objects may take a little bit of elbow grease to unclog. However, it can pale in comparison to actual grease compacted in your lines. Cooking grease, oils, and fats when compacted can solidify and prove to be a major issue. Which can result in tunneling and repairing of your drain line.

Improper Installation

Now this one may not seem obvious, but sometimes it may happen. If the drain line installation didn’t adhere to plumbing code or someone previously repaired it without testing the repair, it may end up improperly fitted or even develop back fall. Causing the drain line to create a “belly”, where water and flushed material sit and cause major blockages. Which in turn can lead to a costly repair.

So my line is compromised, what now?

A clogged main drain line may seem like a small inconvenience, but if ignored long enough it can lead into a costly repair. If you have a compromised line, the priority is to rectify the issue as soon as possible. Having a properly functioning drain is important to maintaining general health. If you need help with maintenance or are in need of a main drain line repair, reach out to Specialty Plumbing. Our expert team is ready to assist and get your plumbing running smoothly again.

Your Go-To Plumbing Services in north DFW

Specialty Plumbing is a family-owned and operated company proudly serving North DFW, including Celina, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Allen,  and Prosper, and surrounding areas. Our team is committed to providing exceptional customer service because we understand that plumbing issues can arise unexpectedly. Our mission is to resolve them swiftly and efficiently! Reach out to us today, for any plumbing service you need, and witness our commitment to excellence firsthand!

At Specialty Plumbing we love to empower our clients with general knowledge of their plumbing systems! If you have any questions on a topic, please feel free to reach out. We’re here to continue creating content that educates you further on your plumbing system.

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