Szeto Plumbing · San Gabriel Valley
Signs your main line needs rooting
When several drains slow at once or the lowest drain backs up, the main sewer line is the likely cause.
Mon–Sat, 8:30 AM–7 PM
Call or text (310) 628-9399
Kitchens, baths, heaters, main lines
Updated · 3 min read
Short answer
If more than one fixture backs up, the lowest drain in the house overflows, or toilets gurgle when other fixtures drain, the main sewer line is partly blocked. A plunger will not reach it. Rooting from the cleanout clears it.
On this page
One drain or the main
A single slow sink has a local clog. Several slow drains, especially on different sides of the house, share the main line as their only common point.
The lowest drain, often a shower or floor drain, is where a main line backup shows first.
Signs to watch for
- Toilets bubble when the washer drains
- Water appears in the shower when a toilet flushes
- Sewage smell near floor drains or the cleanout
- The yard over the line stays wet
What causes main line blockages in the SGV
Half of Rosemead's houses were built in 1959 or earlier, and neighboring cities are similar. Sewer laterals laid back then are often clay or cast iron.
Roots, grease, wipes and pipe sags are the common culprits.
What rooting involves
A camera check afterward shows whether roots, a crack or a belly in the pipe caused the blockage. That guides whether regular maintenance or a repair is next.
Common questions
Can I root the main line myself?
Rental drain machines are powerful and can injure users or damage pipe. It is safer to have it done.
Will flushable wipes clog a main line?
Wipes do not break down like toilet paper and are a common cause of main line clogs.
How do I know if my line has a belly?
A camera shows standing water in a section of pipe. Repeated clogs in the same spot are a hint.