We have all dealt with a clogged toilet or a slow kitchen sink. Usually, a few pumps with a plunger solves the problem. But sometimes, the issue goes deeper than the fixture itself.
Your home’s plumbing is like a tree: all the small branches (drains) feed into one massive trunk (the main sewer line). If that main trunk gets blocked, the water has nowhere to go but back into your house.
At Sunrise Plumbing, we know that catching a main line blockage early can save you from a sewage backup disaster. Here is how to tell the difference between a simple annoyance and a plumbing emergency.
1. Multiple Drains are Slow at Once
If just your kitchen sink is slow, the clog is likely in the trap under that sink. But if you notice that the kitchen sink, the guest bathroom toilet, and the master shower are all draining slowly at the same time, you have a problem downstream in the main line.
2. The “Gurgle” Effect
Listen closely to your house. When you run the washing machine, do you hear the toilet gurgle? When you flush the toilet, does water come up in the bathtub drain?
This happens because the air trapped by the blockage is trying to escape. Since the main pipe is blocked, the air (and water) is forced back up the nearest open pipe. This is a classic sign that your main sewer line is choked off.
3. Tree Roots: The Magic Valley Menace
In Burley and Rupert, we have many beautiful, mature trees. Unfortunately, tree roots—especially from poplars and willows—are aggressive. They can sense the moisture inside your sewer pipes from dozens of feet away.
Roots can invade through tiny cracks in older clay or concrete pipes. Once inside, they grow rapidly, catching toilet paper and grease until they form a net that stops everything. You cannot fix this with a plunger; the roots must be physically cut out.
What To Do (And What Not To Do)
If you suspect a main line blockage:
- STOP using water immediately. Turn off the washing machine and dishwasher. Every gallon you send down the drain will end up on your floor.
- Find your cleanout. This is usually a white pipe with a screw-cap located in your yard. If you can locate it, it helps us access the line faster.
- Do NOT pour chemicals. They won’t clear a root blockage, and they will just fill your pipes with toxic acid that creates a hazard for our plumbers.
See the Problem with Your Own Eyes
We don’t just guess at the problem. We use professional Sewer Cameras to go down the line and see exactly what is causing the blockage—whether it’s tree roots, a collapsed pipe, or a toy car.
Don’t let sewage back up into your home. If your drains are “talking” to you, listen. Call Sunrise Plumbing at +1 208-312-0041 for a fast diagnosis and repair.