Drain Pipe Repair in Eau Claire, WI

Call now if…

• Sewage is coming up through a floor drain, tub, or toilet
• Several drains are backing up at once
• Water is dripping through a ceiling below a bathroom
• A strong sewer smell will not go away

Stop using water, then call (715) 000-0000.

What is a drain pipe problem?

A drain pipe problem is any crack, leak, sag, or blockage in the pipes that carry used water out of your home.

Water supply pipes bring clean water in under pressure. Drain pipes use gravity to carry water and waste out to the sewer. They are wider, and they only carry water when something is draining.

Common drain pipe problems include:

• Cracks and leaks at joints
• Clogs that keep coming back
• Pipes that have sagged, so water sits in them
• Older metal drain pipes that have rusted through
• Tree roots growing into the buried sewer line outside

How can I tell if my drain pipes are the problem?

Trouble in more than one drain at once usually means the pipes, not a single fixture. Watch for slow drains in several places, gurgling, sewer smells, and water backing up into a tub or floor drain:

• Several sinks, tubs, or toilets draining slowly at once
• Gurgling sounds from drains or the toilet
• A sewer smell in the basement or bathroom
• Water backing up into a floor drain, tub, or shower
• A drip under the sink only when the water is running
• A wet spot on the ceiling below a bathroom

If one drain is slow, it is often a clog in that fixture. If several are slow at once, especially the lowest drains in the house, the main drain line may be the problem.

What should I do right now if a drain backs up?

Stop using water in the house so nothing more goes down the drain. Keep children and pets away from any sewage, skip the chemical drain cleaner, catch drips with a bucket, and call so we can connect you with a local plumber.

1. Stop using water. Hold off on flushing, showers, laundry, and the dishwasher until the problem is found. Any water you use has to go somewhere.
2. If sewage has backed up, keep children and pets away and wear gloves. Sewage can carry germs.
3. Do not pour chemical drain cleaner into a drain that is backing up or leaking. It can damage pipes and splash on skin.
4. Put a bucket under any leaking pipe.
5. Call us before anyone uses that drain again, so a local plumber can check the line.

What does a drain pipe repair visit involve?

The plumber works out which part of the drain is failing, often with a small camera, clears any blockage, and repairs or replaces the damaged pipe. A visit usually goes like this:

1. Questions. The plumber asks which drains are affected and when it started.
2. A look inside. They may run a small camera into the pipe to find cracks, roots, or clogs.
3. Clearing any blockage.
4. Repairing or replacing the damaged section of pipe.
5. Testing by running water through the drains.

Can drain pipes freeze in winter?

Drain pipes can freeze too, especially where they pass through an unheated space. The vent pipe on your roof can also ice over. A frozen drain or blocked vent can cause slow drains and gurgling. If your drains act up during a cold snap, mention it when you call.

Drains act up every winter? Call (715) 000-0000 and mention the cold.

Related pipe problems

• Leaking Pipe Repair in Eau Claire

  Drips under sinks, damp walls, and water stains that keep growing.

• Water Line Repair in Eau Claire

  Trouble with the main line between the street and your home, like low pressure or a soggy yard.

• Repiping and Pipe Replacement in Eau Claire

  Old, rusty, or worn-out pipes that leak again and again.

What else do people ask about drain pipes?

Why does my drain gurgle?

Gurgling usually means air is trapped because of a partial clog or a blocked vent pipe. In winter, frost or ice on the roof vent is a common cause.

Why does my basement smell like sewer?

Often the floor drain has dried out. Pour a bucket of water into it to refill the trap. If the smell stays, there may be a crack or loose connection, and it is worth calling.

Is a drain problem the city’s job or mine?

The city usually handles the sewer main under the street. The pipe from your house to that main is usually the homeowner’s. Check with the City of Eau Claire for the rules on your property.

Can tree roots get into drain pipes?

Yes. In the buried sewer line outside, roots can grow into small cracks and joints, especially in older pipes.

Should I use a chemical drain cleaner?

It is best to avoid it for a drain that is leaking, backing up, or made of older pipe. It can damage the pipe and make the plumber’s job harder.

What should I do if sewage backs up into my basement?

Stop using all water in the house and keep children and pets away. Wear gloves and boots if you must go near it. Then call so a local plumber can clear the line.

Pipe repair across Eau Claire neighborhoods

• Pipe repair in Third Ward
• Pipe repair in Historic Randall Park
• Pipe repair in Eastside Hill
• Pipe repair in Putnam Heights
• Pipe repair in North Side Hill
• Pipe repair in Upper Westside

Drain backing up in Eau Claire?

Stop using water and call. We will connect you with a local plumber who repairs drain pipes.

Call (715) 000-0000