Slow drains might be a sign of issues bigger than a clog
A clogged drain can wreak havoc on your home and your daily routine. Some clogs are more serious than others. Sometimes you can handle the situation yourself by using a drain plunger or cleaning out the drain stopper, but other times you’re going to have to call for backup — especially if you have a backup — and hire a licensed plumber.
If clogged or slow drains are a constant issue, it could be the venting or slope of the drain itself. A licensed plumber could check the plumbing to make sure the drain line was properly installed and that there are no bad connections that will clog easily. If there is a blockage, a plumber can snake the drain and get rid of it.
You can get a blockage or clogged drain for any number of reasons. Dirt and hair can get stuck in bathtub drains and sinks; fats, oils and food debris can clog your kitchen sink drain. There could also be a more serious issue, such as a blockage in the pipes leading to the main sewer lines.
Every drain in your house — sinks, toilets, showers and laundry — goes to the main stack that runs under your basement floor. The stack leads to the sanitary sewer line in the street and then eventually to your city’s sewers.
If there’s a blockage in the exterior plumbing lines, it will eventually cause a backup. A plumber can run a video inspection and find the exact location of the blockage. Make sure the plumber time-stamps the video, notes at what distance from the house any potential obstructions are located, and have a copy of the video made for you to keep on file.
If the blockage is on the city’s side, either you or the plumber can contact the city and give them a copy of the video inspection that shows the blockage is in fact located on their side, not yours. Once it’s in their hands they will take care of the repair. If the blockage is located on your property, it’s your responsibility.
If your home has clay pipes as part of the sewer line — and many older homes still do — you may need to replace them. Clay pipes are brittle and can crack easily or become disjointed. Any misalignment is an open invitation for a blockage, whether it’s dirt or tree roots, and blockages means backups, which no homeowner wants.
The best solution is to excavate, replace the clay pipe with PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which will not corrode and resists tree roots, and then install a backwater valve. A backwater valve protects you from a city sewer back up. Some municipalities even provide subsidies on installing a backwater valve, especially if you live in an area where sewer backups are common.
Replacing clay pipes can be an expensive job, especially if your basement is finished because it requires breaking up the basement floor. But once you have a cracked pipe or misalignment, it will need to be replaced with PVC at some point.
That’s why it’s a good idea for homebuyers looking at older homes to get a licensed plumber to check out the plumbing and do a video inspection of the sanitary line (a drain check) — that’s on top of getting a regular home inspection. Just because the toilets flush doesn’t mean the plumbing checks out!
Also, before finishing the basement you want a licensed plumber to make sure the plumbing lines are in good condition. The last thing you want is to spend tens of thousands of dollars finishing your basement, just to get it ripped apart to fix a plumbing issue — not to mention spending another $10,000 to put it back together.
There are simple things that every homeowner can do to prevent a clog, such as cleaning drain stoppers regularly and using a hair strainer drain cover. Also, don’t throw things that do not dissolve down the toilet, like wipes or paper towel. And you shouldn’t be pouring leftover oil or grease down the sink either. Let it dry and harden then throw it out with the garbage.
The plumbing in your home plays a huge part in your everyday life; unfortunately, most of us don’t appreciate it until it’s gone. A plumbing issue can quickly turn into a serious problem, so before it does hire a pro. You won’t regret it.
It’s a good idea for homebuyers looking at older homes to get a licensed plumber to check out the plumbing.