How to Know If Your Main Sewer Line Is Clogged

One slow drain is usually a local clog. But when problems show up in several fixtures at once, the culprit is often further down — in your main sewer line. Catching it early can be the difference between a routine clearing and a basement full of sewage.

The tell-tale signs

• Multiple drains are slow or backing up at the same time
• Your toilet gurgles when you run the sink or washing machine
• Water backs up into a tub or shower when you flush
• A sewage smell indoors or in the yard
• Water pooling around a basement floor drain

What causes it

In Brantford’s older neighbourhoods, tree roots growing into clay or cast-iron pipe joints are a leading cause, along with grease buildup, collapsed sections, and flushed items that don’t break down.

What to do

Stop using water to avoid making a backup worse, and call a plumber. We’ll clear the line and run a camera inspection to confirm the exact cause and location — so you fix the real problem instead of clearing the same clog again in a few months.