Several drains usually back up at once because the main line that carries all wastewater out of the house is blocked or partly blocked. Grease and wipes, tree roots, damaged pipe, and heavy storms that overload city sewers are the usual reasons.
The Main Line Is Shared
Every sink, tub, toilet, and washing machine in a house drains into one main line. A clog there affects all of them. The lowest drains, like a basement floor drain or a ground-floor shower, usually show it first because water rises there before anywhere else.
Common Causes of Main Line Clogs
Grease poured down kitchen sinks hardens inside the pipe. Wipes and paper towels catch on that grease and build up. In homes with trees or shrubs nearby, roots can grow into older sewer pipes through small cracks. Pipes can also sag over time, leaving low spots where waste collects.
Storms and the City Sewer
During very heavy rain, the city sewer can fill up. When that happens, water may back up into the lowest drains in a home, even if your own line is clear. If backups only happen during big storms, that may be the cause.
What You Might Notice First
- Water rising in the tub when the toilet is flushed
- A sink that gurgles when the washer drains
- A floor drain that smells or fills with water
- All drains slowing down at the same time
Stop using water as much as possible. Avoid chemical drain openers, which seldom reach a main line clog. In a two-family house, ask the other household to hold off on water use too.
A plumber can clear the main line and spot what caused it, sometimes with a camera. Call JPR Plumbing at (833) 603-1840. Until then, limit water use in the home. Afterward, a plan to keep the main line flowing can help you avoid the next backup.