Drain Backup in East Canton? What to Do Before We Get There

First Steps When Water Is Coming Up

A backup means water is entering the drain system faster than it can leave. Every gallon you add has to go somewhere, and usually it goes to the lowest fixture. Take these steps right away:

• Stop all water use in the house: no flushing, showers, dishwasher or laundry
• If a toilet is overflowing, lift the tank lid and push the flapper down, then turn the shutoff valve behind the toilet clockwise
• If the washing machine is mid-cycle, stop it before it drains
• Move rugs, boxes and anything valuable away from the affected floor drain or fixture
• Keep kids and pets away from any water that may contain sewage
• Call us at 330-875-8003 and describe which fixtures are affected

What Not to Do

In the moment, it is tempting to grab the strongest product under the sink. Resist it. Chemical drain openers will not clear a main line clog, and they leave caustic water standing in the pipe and on the floor. Anyone who then has to work on the drain, including you, risks burns.

Do not keep plunging a toilet that is overflowing into a basement floor drain; you may just push more water into the lowest point. And do not try to open a main cleanout plug when the line is full. The water behind it is under pressure and will rush out.

How We Handle an East Canton Backup

When we arrive, we confirm which fixtures are backing up and find the best access point, usually a basement cleanout for a main line or the fixture itself for a local clog. We protect the floor, open the line with a cable machine sized to the pipe and drain the standing water.

Once the line flows, we test it with water from several fixtures. If the clog has happened before, or if something looks wrong, a camera inspection shows roots, broken pipe or buildup. We explain what we found, then complete a quality inspection. Outside of an emergency, every job starts with a free estimate and your approval of the plan.

Village sewer versus township septic

Homes in the village usually connect to a public sewer, while many township properties have septic systems. On a septic property, a backup may mean the tank needs pumping rather than a clogged pipe. We will check the line between house and tank and tell you if the tank looks like the source.

After the Clog Is Cleared

If sewage reached the floor, clean and disinfect the area thoroughly, wearing gloves and boots. Porous items like carpet and cardboard that soaked up sewage are usually best thrown out. For significant water damage, we offer plumbing damage inspections and insurance assistance, which can help if you are filing a claim.

Repeated clogs usually have a root cause worth fixing. A toilet that clogs every few weeks may need replacing; our East Canton toilet service can help. If you cannot pin down the source, our troubleshooting visit in East Canton looks at the whole system.

Staying Ahead of the Next Backup

Know where your main shutoff and drain cleanout are before you need them. Keep the cleanout clear of storage. Flush only toilet paper, keep grease out of the sink and use strainers in tubs and showers. Members of our plumbing maintenance agreement get priority service and emergency support, which is reassuring if your home has a history of drain trouble.

For details on the tools we use and our preventive tips, see our Stark County drain unclogging page.