Drains are a vital part of your home’s plumbing system. They transport wastewater from your sinks, tubs, showers and even your toilets to a main sewer line, which then takes the wastewater to either a septic tank or the municipal sewer system.
While drain lines are their own separate entities, they still have a big impact on your sewer line. Likewise, sewer lines can affect how the drains work in your home, and clogged drains may be a sign of a sewer blockage.
Drain Lines vs. Sewer Lines
The easiest way to differentiate drain lines and sewer lines is their location. You have multiple drain lines throughout your home but only one main sewer line that leads all of the wastewater from your property.
Drain lines are individual parts of your plumbing connected to a water source, like a tub or a sink. They all flow into the same place, but each one operates on its own.
Sewer lines are built underground and direct wastewater safely away from a property, including the sewage from your toilets. When it comes to repairs, fixing drains is easier as they are more accessible in your property. Sewer lines are underground, so repairing them typically requires light digging, trenching or using a special trenchless sewer repair technique. Sewer line repair can also be more expensive than drain line repair due to the amount of work required.
Do Clogged Drains Affect Your Sewer Line?
Clogged drains can contribute to a sewer line issue over time. In most cases, clogged drains will likely cause water not to drain or to back up through the pipe into the sink or the tub. The issue with a clogged drain is that it prevents wastewater from reaching the sewer line.
However, in severe cases, clogged drains may eventually cause buildup in sewer lines. This can occur when a blockage makes it through the drain itself but then gets caught in the sewer pipe.
Signs of a clogged drain that may affect your sewer line include:
- Foul smells
- Gurgling noises
- Visible water backup
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to contact a plumber. DIY repairs may help alleviate a clog temporarily, but they don’t stop repeat issues from happening. In fact, over-the-counter drain cleaners can be so harsh that they could actually weaken pipes and damage your drain and sewer line.
Rather than take a risk, let a professional help with expert drain cleaning. For fast, affordable service in Cedar Rapids, IA, contact the team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today.
