Practical Tips for Diagnosing Drain Clogs
August 15, 2023
Drain clogs are an inconvenience and health hazard. Slow or blocked drains also often mean something is wrong with your plumbing system. Knowing why you have slow or blocked drains can help you avoid similar problems in the future. Below are some tips for diagnosing such drainage problems.
Check Other Fixtures
If you find a slow drain, check other drains or fixtures throughout the house to see if they exhibit the same problem. For example, if the toilet is not flushing, check the kitchen, shower, and washing machine drains. This step is critical to the diagnosis.
The number of affected fixtures tells you the problem's magnitude and location. For example, you should suspect a clogging or damage of the main drain line if all drains in the house are slow or blocked. On the other hand, you probably have an internal clog issue if the clogging has only affected one or two fixtures.
Check the Building's Vent System
Your house's plumbing and vent systems effectively push the waste through the drains. The vent system regulates air pressure within the drains so the waste flows out but not back into the house. Inefficient venting interferes with the pressure control, prevents drain flow, and allows waste to back into the house.
Inspect the vents to determine whether you have a venting or air pressure issue or if the drains have a blockage. Check if the plumbing vent is blocked. Snow, pests, leaves, and other debris are common causes of vent blockages.
Listen to the Drains
Clogged drains sometimes emit noises you can use for the diagnosis. For example, pressure changes due to blocked vents can cause popping noises as the air tries to escape.
Walk around the house and try using the water fixtures or pouring water down the drain. Listen to the sounds at each drain to detect whether they are blocked. For example, gurgling sounds behind a sink might mean a blockage in the P-trap.
Visually Inspect the Ground Outside the House
You might see signs of drain waste in the yard if you have a serious clogging issue, especially on drain lines outside the house. Walk outside the house to see if you can spot signs of waste leakage. Focus on the usual drain line locations, such as the ground between drain cleanouts and the house or that between the cleanout and the city's sewer line.
Watch out for visible sewer waste, unusually green grass, and dips on the ground (signifying unusually soft areas due to water absorption). You might notice such signs if tree roots invade and crack your drain lines. Crushed drainpipes, for example, due to construction activities, also cost similar issues. Such problems cause waste leakages and drain blockages.
Evaluate the Clogging History and Progress
Lastly, consider the nature and history of the clogging as part of the diagnosis. Below are two things to focus on.
The Clogging's Onset
If the clogging started after an unusual or specific event, it's probably connected to the event. For example, clogging after a huge dinner party might be due to food waste or FOG (fat, oils, and grease) overwhelming and blocking the kitchen drain.
The Progress of the Clogging
Sudden drain blockage means your drains have probably experienced a catastrophic event. An example is a collapsed or crushed drain line. Introducing a solid object in a drainpipe can also cause sudden blockage. For example, you might notice an immediate problem with the toilet if a child tries to flush a toy down the drain.
O'Fallon Sewer Service has over 50 years of plumbing experience. We promise you that no job is too small or big for us. Contact us for all your plumbing needs and enjoy our professional services.
Check Other Fixtures
If you find a slow drain, check other drains or fixtures throughout the house to see if they exhibit the same problem. For example, if the toilet is not flushing, check the kitchen, shower, and washing machine drains. This step is critical to the diagnosis.
The number of affected fixtures tells you the problem's magnitude and location. For example, you should suspect a clogging or damage of the main drain line if all drains in the house are slow or blocked. On the other hand, you probably have an internal clog issue if the clogging has only affected one or two fixtures.
Check the Building's Vent System
Your house's plumbing and vent systems effectively push the waste through the drains. The vent system regulates air pressure within the drains so the waste flows out but not back into the house. Inefficient venting interferes with the pressure control, prevents drain flow, and allows waste to back into the house.
Inspect the vents to determine whether you have a venting or air pressure issue or if the drains have a blockage. Check if the plumbing vent is blocked. Snow, pests, leaves, and other debris are common causes of vent blockages.
Listen to the Drains
Clogged drains sometimes emit noises you can use for the diagnosis. For example, pressure changes due to blocked vents can cause popping noises as the air tries to escape.
Walk around the house and try using the water fixtures or pouring water down the drain. Listen to the sounds at each drain to detect whether they are blocked. For example, gurgling sounds behind a sink might mean a blockage in the P-trap.
Visually Inspect the Ground Outside the House
You might see signs of drain waste in the yard if you have a serious clogging issue, especially on drain lines outside the house. Walk outside the house to see if you can spot signs of waste leakage. Focus on the usual drain line locations, such as the ground between drain cleanouts and the house or that between the cleanout and the city's sewer line.
Watch out for visible sewer waste, unusually green grass, and dips on the ground (signifying unusually soft areas due to water absorption). You might notice such signs if tree roots invade and crack your drain lines. Crushed drainpipes, for example, due to construction activities, also cost similar issues. Such problems cause waste leakages and drain blockages.
Evaluate the Clogging History and Progress
Lastly, consider the nature and history of the clogging as part of the diagnosis. Below are two things to focus on.
The Clogging's Onset
If the clogging started after an unusual or specific event, it's probably connected to the event. For example, clogging after a huge dinner party might be due to food waste or FOG (fat, oils, and grease) overwhelming and blocking the kitchen drain.
The Progress of the Clogging
Sudden drain blockage means your drains have probably experienced a catastrophic event. An example is a collapsed or crushed drain line. Introducing a solid object in a drainpipe can also cause sudden blockage. For example, you might notice an immediate problem with the toilet if a child tries to flush a toy down the drain.
O'Fallon Sewer Service has over 50 years of plumbing experience. We promise you that no job is too small or big for us. Contact us for all your plumbing needs and enjoy our professional services.
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