If your sewer line has backed up more than once, there’s probably a reason it keeps happening. Clearing the immediate blockage may get your drains flowing again, but it doesn’t necessarily fix the underlying problem.
For homeowners in Culver City and the surrounding Los Angeles area, recurring sewer backups can be especially frustrating. Many local homes have been around for decades, and the sewer lines beneath them may be dealing with aging pipes, tree roots, buildup, damage, or other problems that won’t disappear after a basic drain cleaning.
At American Drain Works & Plumbing Company, we believe the first step is figuring out why your sewer keeps backing up.
Why Does My Main Sewer Line Keep Clogging?
Your main sewer line carries wastewater from the drains throughout your home to the municipal sewer system. When something restricts that line, wastewater has nowhere to go.
You may notice:
- Toilets that repeatedly clog or drain slowly
- Water backing up into a bathtub or shower
- Gurgling sounds from toilets or drains
- Multiple slow drains at the same time
- Sewage odors coming from drains
- Water appearing in a shower when a toilet is flushed
- Backups that return weeks or months after the line was cleared
When several plumbing fixtures are affected at once, the problem may be farther down the system in the main sewer line rather than an individual sink, shower, or toilet drain.
1. Tree Roots Have Entered the Sewer Line
Tree roots are one of the first things we consider when diagnosing recurring sewer problems. Roots naturally seek moisture. If an older sewer pipe develops a small crack, loose connection, or deteriorated joint, roots can work their way inside. Once there, they can continue growing and catch toilet paper, waste, grease, and debris. The result can be a blockage that keeps returning.
Simply cutting through the roots may restore flow temporarily, but if the pipe itself is damaged, the roots may eventually come back. That's why it's important to determine the condition of the sewer line instead of repeatedly treating the symptom.
2. Your Culver City Home Has an Older Sewer Line
Culver City has plenty of established neighborhoods and older homes and an older home can have older underground plumbing. Depending on the property's age and previous upgrades, sewer piping may have deteriorated, shifted, cracked, corroded, or developed failing joints over time.
An aging sewer line doesn't automatically need to be replaced. But if you're dealing with repeated backups, knowing what type of pipe you have and what condition it's in can help determine the right solution.
3. There's Heavy Buildup Inside the Pipe
A sewer pipe doesn't have to be completely broken to cause trouble. Years of grease, soap residue, waste, sludge, and other material can gradually reduce the usable diameter of a drain or sewer line. Once the opening becomes restricted enough, it becomes much easier for additional debris to create a blockage.
In these situations, hydro jetting may be recommended. Unlike basic snaking, which is generally intended to open a path through an obstruction, hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to thoroughly clean buildup from the inside of appropriate drain and sewer piping. The condition of the pipe should always be considered before determining whether hydro jetting is the right approach.
4. The Sewer Pipe Is Cracked, Offset, or Collapsing
Sometimes the clog isn't really the main problem, the pipe is. Underground sewer lines can develop structural problems including cracks, separated joints, offsets, low spots, or partially collapsed sections. Soil movement and decades of wear can contribute to these issues.
A damaged section can continually collect waste and debris. You can clear the blockage, but another one develops because the underlying obstruction is still there. That's when repeatedly snaking the sewer can turn into a cycle:
Backup → Clear the line → Everything seems fine → Backup again.
If this sounds familiar, it's probably time to investigate further.
5. Something Is Going Down the Drain That Shouldn't Be
Not every recurring sewer problem is caused by an old pipe. So-called "flushable" wipes can be particularly troublesome because they may not break down like ordinary toilet paper. Paper towels, hygiene products, excessive grease, food waste, and other materials can also contribute to sewer and drain blockages.
A good household rule is simple: toilets are designed for human waste and toilet paper. And in the kitchen, avoid pouring fats, oils, and grease down the drain, even if they're liquid when they're hot. They can cool and accumulate farther down the plumbing system.
How Do You Find Out What's Actually Causing the Backup?
For recurring sewer problems, one of the most useful diagnostic tools is a sewer camera inspection. A specialized camera can be fed through the sewer line so a plumber can examine accessible portions of the pipe from the inside.
Depending on conditions, an inspection may reveal:
- Root intrusion
- Heavy buildup
- Cracks or damaged pipe
- Offset or separated connections
- Areas where debris repeatedly collects
- Other visible obstructions
Instead of guessing why the sewer keeps backing up, you can make a repair or cleaning decision based on what is actually happening inside the line.
Should I Snake It or Hydro Jet It?
It depends on the problem. Drain snaking can be very effective for opening many common clogs and restoring flow. If you have an isolated blockage, that may be all that's necessary. Hydro jetting can be a better option when appropriate piping has substantial buildup that needs to be cleaned more thoroughly. But neither service can permanently repair a broken or failing sewer pipe. Read more about this here.
When Should I Call a Plumber?
A single slow drain doesn't necessarily mean you have a sewer emergency. But you should pay closer attention when multiple drains are slow, toilets are gurgling, sewage is backing up into a tub or shower, or the same sewer problem keeps returning.
If sewage is actively backing up into your home, avoid using additional water whenever practical until the problem can be evaluated. Running showers, washing machines, dishwashers, sinks, and toilets can send even more wastewater toward an already blocked line.
Stop Clearing the Same Sewer Clog Over and Over
If your Culver City home's sewer line keeps backing up, don't assume you just have bad luck with clogs. There may be a reason the blockage keeps coming back.
American Drain Works & Plumbing Company provides professional drain and sewer services for homeowners in Culver City and the Los Angeles area. We can help determine what's causing the recurring problem and recommend an appropriate solution based on the condition of your plumbing.
Having trouble with a sewer or drain that keeps backing up? Call American Drain Works & Plumbing Company at 310-390-3180.
