When Drains Are Slow, It’s Time to Call a Plumber

Left untreated, a minor clog in the main sewer line will continue to build.

When there is one drain in a home that takes forever to drain, the homeowner may be able to fix it on their own. Try a drain snake or plunger to see if the problem resolves. When more than one drain in a home drains slowly, there is a bigger problem.

A clogged main sewer line causes drains throughout a home to release water slowly. It is a complex problem to fix and best left to a plumber.

Main sewer line

Left untreated, a minor clog in the main sewer line will continue to build. Tree roots are often a cause of main sewer line blocks; for this reason, it’s difficult for homeowners to resolve.

Tree root inclusion through the main sewer line will cause other solids that have been flushed down the toilet and sent down the kitchen drain to create a more extensive blockage. Once the system becomes completely blocked, the homeowners may find wastewater and sewage backing into the home.

Chemical drain cleaner

When homeowners use chemical drain cleaners to resolve a slow drain, it may work temporarily but won’t be a permanent solution. Chemical drain cleaners work well on minor, secondary blogs close to the drain. When chemical drain cleaners reach the tree roots, they are diluted at best. Chemicals poured down the drains to reach the main sewer line will not be potent enough to tear up tree roots.

Plumber’s snake

A plumber’s snake or drain is a metal coil that can be “snaked” into a drain to push debris down and out of the line. The problem with many plumber’s snakes sold in home improvement stores is that they may not be long enough to reach the clog if it is in the main sewer line, nor will they break through tree roots.

Ultimately, if the slow drains result from a blocked main sewer line, the homeowner will need professional assistance. A plumber can use a camera snake to determine the location and type of clog and devise a plan to resolve the problem.

The team of skilled technicians at Clover Valley Home Services has the right tools and expertise for mold remediation, water damage restoration, and leaky house detection. Free estimates available. Call today!