Among the largest potential plumbing-related issues that can potentially hit a home are main sewer line clogs. Often signaled by clogged drains or a clogged toilet, these issues are often large and costly as they affect the entire main line of your plumbing system.

We’re here to help at Whipple Plumbing – our main sewer camera scope is the most trusted method for evaluating such issues, and we offer the industry standard in main sewer line repair and replacement. For your knowledge, here are some of the most common causes of these kinds of main sewer line issues.

Blocked House Trap

The house trap is a specialty fitting, shaped like a U, to prevent odors from a city line. Water acts as a natural barrier, blocking gasses from escaping and preventing any of them from entering the home.

If any objects are caught in the belly of the trap, though, the entire system might cease to function. This is generally not the sort of issue we recommend homeowners investigating on their own – it can be dangerous without proper training.

Root Infestation

One of the most common main line issues is root infestation. Tree roots naturally grow toward where water sits to find nutrients, and if the sewer line is close enough, roots may grow directly into it. They can enter through the tiniest of cracks or holes, and may require major repairs in some cases.

Fat, Oil or Grease Stoppages

Accumulation of these various buildups can cause issues in secondary lines, but also in the main line. In most cases, our professional hydro-jetting format will be most appropriate for ridding these blockages from your system. Once they’re removed, though, it will be up to you to be careful about the things that go down your pipes to prevent future issues.

Cracked or Misaligned Pipes

In some cases, a clog in the main sewer line can start with a basic crack or badly aligned pipe. This will lead directly to a clog, possibly in the house trap, but possibly elsewhere also.

For more information on main sewer line clogs and our options for fixing them, or to find out about any of our other services, speak to the experts at Whipple Plumbing today.