We have all experienced a sink or bathtub that drains slowly. Most of the time, slow draining is a plumbing problem, usually a clog in the pipes under the offending water fixture. However, in some cases, slow drains can be an indication of a larger, more serious sewer line issue. If you have a clogged sewer line, it may be backing up sewer water into your home, causing the slow drain.
When A Slow Drain Indicates Sewer Line Problems
If a sewer line is clogged or not draining wastewater efficiently, one of the signs are slow-moving drains. However, it is unlikely that a sink on the second floor of your house will be where the problem starts. Since sewer lines use gravity, the lowest point in your home will be the first place where you can expect to experience slow draining due to a sewer line problem. This could be a bathroom fixture on the first level of your home, such as a toilet, bathtub or sink, most likely more than one.
If your slow drain is due to a problem in your sewer lines, it could be something as simple as a clog. It could also mean your sewer lines have become flat, no longer having the decline necessary for wastewater to flow efficiently. Another possible scenario is a cracked or broken pipe. Whatever the issue, you will need to get the problem resolved before your sewer lines stop working altogether.
Your local sewer professional can perform an inspection to find out exactly what and where the problem is in your sewer lines. Most companies now use camera inspections to view what is happening below the surface inside your sewer pipes, making it fast and easy to find and fix the problem.
Posted on behalf of Mike Smith, A-Flo Free Septic
