How to Find the Main Sewer Line in Your House

Are you in need of professional plumbing help? Then call Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. at  (440) 557-4605  to schedule a service.

Your home's plumbing system is very complex, consisting of several pipes and drains. So when plumbing problems arise, there could be a lot of potential culprits. 

If you're dealing with a severe plumbing problem, like a sewer overflow, you are probably wondering how to find the main sewer line in your house. Fortunately, you don't have to be an experienced plumber to find it. 

As Painesville's professional plumbers, Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. knows that homeowners can often feel lost when it comes to navigating their plumbing systems. That's why we put together this guide explaining how to find your home's main sewer line and what to do when you need reliable plumbing repairs. 

Check Inside Your House 

In some cases, the main sewer line will be inside the home. To check if this is the case for you, grab a flashlight and head down to your basement, crawlspace, or garage. Use your flashlight to look for a 4-inch diameter pipe with a cap and square knob. 

Check Outside Your House

When it comes to knowing how to find the main sewer line in your house, you may need to check outside if you can't find it in the house. To do this, inspect your yard and look for an access line near your house's foundation. You might also find it near the sidewalk, street, or wherever your home's primary line connects with the municipal sewer lines. 

Find the Septic Tank

One of the easiest ways for you to locate sewer lines for your home's main sewer system is by finding the septic tank. Your main line connects to your home's septic tank, so if you can find the septic tank, you can find your sewer line.

Follow the Toilet Drain 

Another easy way for you to locate the main sewer line is by following the toilet or sink drain lines. Your toilet's drain line almost always connects to the main sewer line, so trace it from the toilet to where it connects with a larger pipe. Then, follow this pipe (which usually has a larger diameter) until it leads out of your house's crawlspace or basement. 

This should lead you to the main line outside of your house, or at least the area that it's in. 

Ask the Previous Homeowners

If you can contact the people who lived in your house before you, give them a call and see if they know where the main sewer pipe is. Alternatively, reach out to your County Recorder's office so you can request deeds and other documents for your house, which will show the location of the main sewer line. 

Request Help from the City

Another way to find the main sewer line in your house is by reaching out to the city. Take a trip to your local building or zoning office and ask the representatives to help you clarify your property lines and find the main sewer line. 

Make a Call to 811

Not many people know this, but if you live in the United States, you can call 811 and have someone come out to your home and mark the buried lines. This is also a completely free service, making it ideal for finding your home's main sewer line.

Splurge on a Pipe Locator

A pipe locator is self-explanatory: it's a tool that helps you find your pipes. It consists of a detector and transmitter, which you can use to locate the main line. 

To do this, stick the detector and transmitter part into a drain or sewer cleanout about 15 feet deep. Next, take the wand part of the tool and point it to the ground, waving it around until it gets a strong signal. When it beeps louder, you're getting closer. 

The main downside to using this tool is that it costs around $1,000, making it very cost-inefficient if you just plan on using it once, although you can rent it, too.

Hire a Plumbing Professional

Looking for the easiest method?  Just hire an expert.

Experienced plumbers know how to find the main sewer lines quickly and how to fix whatever problem you're having with your plumbing system. Hiring a plumbing professional not only makes finding the main sewer line easier but expedites the entire repair process, so you can enjoy a better-functioning plumbing system sooner rather than later. 

What to Do When You Finally Find Your Main Sewer Line

Whether you hire someone or go the DIY route, you should know what to do after finding the main sewer line so you can fix your plumbing issue as quickly as possible.

Generally, your main sewer line is underground. So if you want to access it, you'll need to dig it up. Instead of attempting this on your own and risking all sorts of damage, hire a professional. 

No matter what plumbing problem you currently have, a trained plumber can help you fix it. Experienced plumbers know how to locate the issue, determine how severe it is, and find the best solution. This not only prevents additional damage to your plumbing system but makes the entire process easier on you and your wallet. 

Contact Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. 

Struggling with a clogged or malfunctioning plumbing system and looking for help?

As plumbing professionals with decades of experience, we know how frustrating and often confusing plumbing problems can be. That's why we proudly offer reliable plumbing services for every type of property in Painesville and the surrounding areas. If you don't know how to find the main sewer line in your house and are looking to receive professional help, give us a call, and rest easy knowing your home's plumbing is in good hands. 

Whatever sewer problems you have, our highly skilled and knowledgeable team has the equipment, experience, and know-how to put your mind at ease. Call our Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. experts at (440) 557-4605 to schedule a service.