Tools You'll Need
Signs to Watch For
Multiple drains are slow at the same time
If more than one drain is slow, the problem is likely in the main line, not the individual fixtures.
Water backs up in one fixture when you use another
If the toilet bubbles when the washing machine drains, or the shower backs up when you flush, the main line is likely blocked.
Gurgling sounds from drains or toilets
Gurgling means air is struggling to move through the drain — a sign of a partial blockage or vent issue.
Sewage smell inside or outside the house
Sewer gas smell is a health concern. It may mean a dry trap, a failed wax ring, or a cracked sewer line.
Wet or sunken patch in the yard
A wet, green, or sunken area along the sewer line path can indicate a break or leak.
Lowest drain in the house has water
If a floor drain or basement shower has water backing up, the main line is blocked.
What to Do
- Stop using water immediately if sewage is backing up.
- Note which drains are affected and in what order.
- Check the main cleanout for standing water (if accessible).
- Don't use chemical drain cleaners — they can't reach a main line blockage.
WHEN TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL
- Multiple drains are slow or backing up at the same time.
- Sewage is backing up into the house — this is an emergency.
- You smell sewage inside or outside the house.
- There's a wet or sunken area in the yard along the sewer line.