Main Sewer Line Blockages in Evanston

Main sewer line blockages in Evanston tend to happen at the worst possible time. And when they occur, blocked lines often result in serious trouble for the homeowners. If you have a main sewer line blockage, you are in the midst of an emergency and can't wait to seek a sewer line replacement or repair. Find out whether or not your sewer line is blocked and learn how to get the help you need.

Common Signs of a Sewer Line Blockage

If there's a blockage in your sewer line, you'll probably know it. There are several obvious signs of a blocked sewer line, and they include the following:

• Water Backs Up in Places: At first, your sewer line blockage may have a few seemingly innocent symptoms. You might notice water showing up in your tub or shower when you flush the toilet. Then, you may notice your sink overflowing when you run the washing machine.


• Foul Smell: A bad smell is also an indication of a blocked sewer line. If you continually smell a foul odor in your bathroom or coming from your sink, you could have a clog in your sewer line.


• Lush Patch in Your Lawn: Is one area of your lawn particularly lush? If so, there could be a blockage in your pipes. The pressure causes the pipes to collapse and, eventually, the pipe leaks. While you might find the sewage in your plumbing unappealing, the grass loves it and thrives.

What's the Difference Between a Minor Clog and a Sewer Blockage?

From the surface, it's tough to tell a clog from a sewer line blockage. And the diagnosis matters. If you have a clog, all you need is a plumber to come and remove it. They might use a video inspection to identify the clog and one of the many effective drain cleaning methods to remove it. Meanwhile, a sewer line blockage is a much more serious issue. You could be in need of an urgent sewer repair. If you don't call for help immediately, you could have a major sewage leak on your hands.

What You Should Do

There's no easy way to fix a sewer line blockage, and there's certainly no DIY fix. If you have a sewer line clog, you need a professional to help. With that said, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the damage:

• Clean the Vicinity: When there's a blockage in the line, sewage often spills into the home or yard. As revolting as the sewage might seem, you shouldn't let it remain. The bacteria in your waste is a health risk, and you need to clean it before someone becomes ill.


• Don't Use Drain Cleaner: While drain cleaner might be somewhat effective on a small clog, it won't do anything for a sewer line blockage. The chemicals cause damage to your plumbing and may eventually lead to the need for repiping.


• Turn Off the Water: The more water that passes into your home, the greater the damage. If you don't want water to back up into your home, turn off the water supply. Someone could end up turning on the faucet and flooding more water into your home.


• Call a Plumber: This step is essential, but one that most people put off. Although you may not want to spend the money, resist the urge to wait to call a plumber. In the end, your quick action will save you money.


• Check with the City: You're only responsible for plumbing up until a certain point. If the blockage is far down the line, you may not be the one who needs to pay for the repairs. Don't be afraid to call the city to find out if they need to send out a plumber to deal with the blockage.

What Does the Plumber Do?

When the plumber arrives, they have a significant task ahead of them. First, they need to identify the cause of the blockage. This allows them to decide where they need to dig to access the pipes. Usually, a visual inspection with a drain snake and a camera identifies the location of the clog. Once the plumber knows where the blockage lies, they can use the right tool for the job. In some cases, hydrojetting is an effective way to remove the clog. Even an industrial drain snake could be appropriate. A good plumber will decide which method is the most effective and the most affordable for you. If your blockage is from tree roots, the repair won't be as easy as the other fixes. To remove the blockage, plumbers need to dig up the ground near the pipe, remove the blockage, and replace the pipe. During the winter months, this job is time-consuming and challenging.

Call the Right Person for Your Sewer Line Replacement

If you call the wrong plumber, you could end up with a shoddy repair or an unnecessarily high bill. For the best results, you should only deal with a reputable professional. Here at J. Blanton Plumbing, we take the time to study your plumbing system. If there's an easy and effective way to fix your blockage, we'll use it and pass the savings onto you. In the event of an extensive repair, we'll do everything it takes to stay on budget and to do the job right the first time around. Whether you need sewer line replacement or a simple sewer repair in Evanston, give us a call. We'll respond quickly and restore your plumbing before too much time goes by.