What Causes the Main Sewer Line To Clog in Cleveland, Ohio?

Sewer lines seem to work flawlessly until, suddenly, they don’t. What causes the main sewer line to clog at your property? Can you do anything to mitigate this often expensive repair?



As your trusted source for sewer repair in Cleveland, OH, Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. is happy to show you the ropes. Learn the primary reasons for sewer clogs below and tips for how to avoid them.

How Can You Tell Your Main Sewer Line Is Blocked?

The problem with blocked sewer lines is that the warning signs often manifest as smaller issues. Before we jump into what causes the main sewer to clog, you need to know the sneaky symptoms. Be especially vigilant about these recurring issues:

• Nasty water appearing in your plumbing fixtures
• Persistent slow drainage
• Stinky odors coming from multiple drains
• Squishy, swampy areas in your yard
• Repeated drain blockages

A slow or blocked drain isn’t necessarily a red flag. However, repeated occurrences in more than one fixture mean a more pervasive pipe problem. 

What Causes the Main Sewer To Clog?

A big, dense blockage usually develops because of some type of sewer line damage. You can’t run a drain snake or pour some hot water into a fixture to fix this monster clog. Instead, you’ll need a skilled plumber in Cleveland, Ohio, like Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co., to take a look.

Aggressive Shrub or Tree Roots in Cleveland, Ohio

If you have one of these tree species growing near your home, a tree root infiltration might be what causes the main sewer line to clog. Some species shoot their roots toward underground pipes. Common woody plant species in Cleveland, Ohio, are:

• Callery pear
• Tree of Heaven
• Norway maple
• Poplar
• Willow

Be wary if you have any trees or shrubs growing within 50 feet of your house.

Flushing the Wrong Substances

Many homeowners unwittingly rinse or flush inappropriate materials down their fixture drains and toilets. These substances may stick to the sewer pipe interior and gradually build up, resulting in foreign object blockages that demand professional equipment to break up. 

What types of materials should you dispose of elsewhere?

• Oil, grease, and fats: Grease buildup from kitchens is among the worst clog culprits. Once greasy substances cool, they solidify and stick to the interior pipe lining. As the blockage catches other materials, it grows into a sizable mass. 
• Starchy foods: Rice, potatoes, and bread remnants swell in water. The moisture weighs them down, and they can collect in a localized area within the sewer pipe. 
• Paper or plastic hygiene products: The only product you should flush down your toilet is toilet paper. Tissues, paper towels, and other hygiene products don’t readily break down, even if the packaging says “flushable.” 
• Stringy or threadlike materials: Fibrous foods like celery, salad greens, and artichokes don’t degrade quickly, especially when fresh and raw. The fibers may become entangled, creating a net that captures other debris in the pipes.

If you want to avert sewer clog issues, start with more care about what goes down your drains and toilets.

Damaged Lines

What causes the main sewer line to clog? Sometimes, the pipe material simply degrades. Other times, you might have received improper pipe installation.

Also, consider that pipe corrosion creates rough, jagged edges that capture debris instead of allowing it to flow freely through the system. The soil and pipe material also expand and contract because of temperature changes and subtle earth movements. If the pipe fractures and dirt fills it, water can’t get through.

Mineral Buildup

Cleveland, Ohio, has moderate water hardness. The area’s water supply has a fair amount of minerals, which stick to the sewer line’s interior and build up gradually. 

Eventually, the mineral buildup almost completely closes the pathway. Water and waste can’t flow freely unless you clear the blockage. 

Simple Ways To Prevent Clogged Sewer Lines

What’s the easier way to keep your sewer lines clean and clear?

• Use drain covers to keep large debris and hair out.
• Flush each drain with boiling water monthly to move trapped waste.
• Avoid pouring oily or greasy material into any drain. (Put it in an old coffee canister.)

You can also schedule professional camera inspections every two to three years to stay in the loop about your sewer line’s condition. 



Get a Sewer Camera Inspection in Cleveland, Ohio, From Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. 

Now that you know what causes the main sewer line to clog, read our guide to finding your main house sewer line. Then, book your sewer camera inspection in Cleveland, Ohio, with Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co.