Quick Answer: If multiple drains are backing up, you smell sewage, hear gurgling from toilets, or see patches of lush grass in your yard, your main sewer line is likely clogged. This is an emergency—call us immediately.
A clogged main sewer line is one of the worst plumbing emergencies. Unlike a single clogged drain, a main line backup affects your entire home and can lead to thousands in water damage and mold remediation.
7 Signs Your Main Sewer Line Is Clogged
1. Multiple Drains Backing Up Simultaneously
If your toilet, shower, and bathroom sink are all draining slowly or backing up at the same time, your main line is blocked. A single clogged drain affects only that fixture—multiple backups point to the main line.
2. Sewage Smell
Smell rotten eggs or sewage around your yard, basement, or near drains? A blocked main line can't transport sewage away from your home, so it backs up into your drains and yard.
3. Gurgling Sounds from Drains
Gurgling from your toilet when you flush or water drains from other fixtures? The air trapped by the blockage escapes as bubbles, creating that eerie gurgling sound.
4. Pooling Water in Your Yard
Wet patches or pooling water in your yard, especially near the sewer line? That's sewage backing up underground. The grass in these areas may look unnaturally green from the "fertilizer."
5. Basement or Crawl Space Flooding
Backups in the basement or crawl space are a major sign. Raw sewage pooling in your foundation is a health hazard and can cause thousands in damage.
6. Fruit Flies or Drain Flies
Unusual numbers of drain flies? They breed in the buildup inside your pipes. A main line clog creates a perfect breeding ground.
7. Slow Drainage on Lower Fixtures
Drains in your basement or lower level of your home back up first because they're closest to the main line. Upper level drains follow if the blockage gets worse.
What Causes Main Sewer Line Clogs?
- Tree Roots: Tree roots seek out moisture and can penetrate sewer lines, causing blockages and damage.
- Grease Buildup: Years of cooking grease solidifies inside pipes, restricting flow.
- Paper Products: Flushing "flushable" wipes, feminine products, or excess toilet paper builds up.
- Pipe Damage: Cracks, bellies, or collapses in old sewer lines trap debris.
- Debris Accumulation: Hair, soap scum, and sediment accumulate over decades.
EMERGENCY:
If you see signs of a main sewer line clog, stop using water and call immediately. Continued use can worsen the backup and cause damage to your foundation and basement.
Call for Emergency Service
Don't wait. Call (720) 500-6955 for same-day emergency main line clearing service.