Most of us have heard the term “main drain” before, but what exactly is that term referring to? Your home’s plumbing is connected to your house sewer line or main drain. The main drain is what connects your house to a city or public sewer system. It is an essential part of a home’s cleanliness and safety. Since the main drain is not seen, people tend not to think about it. Clogs in the main drain can be a severe nightmare. Here is what you should know about your home’s main drain and some warning signs for a clog. 

Basics of Your Home’s Main Drain 

Your home is linked to a city or public sewer system by the main drain beneath your front lawn. Your sinks, toilets, showers, dishwasher, and any other appliance in your house connected to plumbing must have their own branch line drains. These branch lines all connect to your main drain. If the main drain gets blocked or clogged, it will likely stop up all the other drains and lines in your home. This general clogging in the sewage system's main drain is a significant issue. 

Warning Signs of a Clogged Main Drain 

Main drain clogs can be complicated. How can you tell if your main drain is clogged if you can not see it? How can I tell my plumbing problem comes from the main drain and not other lines? 

Blockage in Several Fixtures 

If multiple plumbing components become clogged or slow at once, it indicates a problem with the main drain. Toilets typically show signs of trouble first, along with bathtub or shower drains, and other fixtures may eventually back up. If you suspect a problem with the main drain or other underground components of your home’s drain system, you must call a professional expert. While you might think you can solve this problem yourself, you will probably worsen it. 

Warning Signs with Plumbing Fixtures 

Unusual sounds or behavior from your plumbing fixtures, especially on the lower level of your home, can signify main drain problems. Sewer blockages begin to clog up the drains and move upstream; therefore, the drains on the lowest levels are typically the first to experience issues. Examine the following: 

• Toilet: The toilet tends to be where sewer problems appear first. If your toilet doesn't flush properly or the water level in the toilet increases, you may have a problem with your main sewer drain. 

• Sinks: If your main drain is clogged, you may hear a gurgle when you run water in your bathroom sink, tub, or washing machine. 

• Shower: If there is a significant backup in your main drain, the showers in your home may begin to fill with wastewater.

• Laundry room: Another sign of a sewer system clog is if water from your washing machine begins to drain into your shower or toilet. 

Drain snakes can usually locate and separate clogs in a smaller branch line; however, a blockage in the main drain can be a more significant issue that requires a plumber to solve. 

Checking Your Clean-Out Drain 

Most sewer systems have at least one clean-out pipe. The clean-out is a short pipe or a shaped fitting connected to a drain line generally located in the yard, a basement, or a crawl space. Attempting to inspect your clean-out pipe yourself can be dangerous as sewer holes can be profound, have broken steps, and have parts homeowners do not often work with. 

If water spills out of the clean-out when you loosen the plug, immediately tighten it and call a plumber. When you remove the plug without water spilling out, be sure to check inside the drain itself. If water is in the pipe, you likely have a clog in your sewer line. If your clean-out is in a crawlspace or basement, do not remove its plug. If your main drain is backed up, there is a lot of pressure inside the pipe causing wastewater to spill out when you remove the plug. 

Contact an Experienced Plumber Today  

If you find yourself suspecting there is a problem with your sewer system’s main drain, it is best to contact a professional plumbing company as soon as possible. At Jordan Air and Plumbing, we service homes needing all sewer system repair and replacement needs. Give us a call or book an appointment online, and let us help you today. 

Jordan Air and Plumbing
1165 Athens Rd
Crawford, GA 30630
(706) 769-0661
https://www.jordanairinc.com/