Not only is it important, as a rule, to be as informed as possible about your property’s ins and outs, but being armed with this information will also help you quickly communicate your problems to your plumber – and begin to troubleshoot your system on your own.

One of the most common problems that homeowners run into is the stubborn, invisible clog. And the secret to discovering, locating, and clearing your clogs all comes down to knowing how your system fits together, so that you can determine exactly where the clog is situated, and how best to address it.

Ready to find the backup in your pipes? While every home or building is different, here is an easy, three-step method to troubleshoot a typical system, in order to suss out that sneaky blockage before it becomes an even bigger problem:

1.) Start at the Top

Each drain in your home connects to a main sewer line, which generally flows in a downward direction. To determine if an issue is local to one appliance or buried deeper in your system, start by running the water in your uppermost fixtures (i.e., your second- or third-floor sink or shower). If the backup is immediate, then you know that water isn’t draining at all, and the clog is contained to that fixture, making it a prime candidate to tackle with a green drain cleaner or other safe method.

If a clog takes longer to form, or if your upper-level fixtures are clear…

2.) Test the Next-Lowest Fixtures

Try troubleshooting all of the sinks, toilets, and bathrooms on your next level. If only one fixture seems backed up or otherwise slow to drain, it’s probably a local issue. If, however, several fixtures seem to be backed up (for example, your bathroom fixtures seem clogged, though your kitchen sink seems clear), then the clog is located not in the fixtures, but deeper, probably within the branch line connecting the fixtures to the main line. A drain snake or auger may be the right plan of attack here – but be sure to reach out to a certified plumber if you have any questions or concerns, or you may do more harm than good!

3.) Run the Fixtures at the Bottom

Next, try the appliances and fixtures at the lowest level in your home. If all of these systems seem backed up or clogged, then it’s likely that the source is in the main stack or sewer line. Because this is a sensitive, central thoroughfare for water and waste in your home, you’ll likely need to bring in a pro to deal with any complications with your main line. If you have basement plumbing, and an ejector pump, your issue may be more complex than this test will allow for. When in doubt, call your plumber!

That’s where we come in! Whether it’s a flooded basement or a running toilet, we’ve seen and tackled it all. Drop us a line for all of your Red Oakland plumbing needs, day or night!