A sewer drain clog is a very serious problem that can be considered a plumbing emergency. Since the water has no place to go it will all come back up into the household plumbing in one way or another. When you have a sewer drain clog you should not use any of the plumbing in the home until the stoppage is cleared.
If you suspect that you have a sewer drain clog it is important to confirm this and clear it right away. There are several ways to verify a sewer drain clog.
Signs that you may have a sewer drain clog:
Multiple Fixtures Are Clogged – A very obvious sign of a sewer drain clog is when more than one plumbing fixture backs up at the same time. The toilets in particular are affected by this, but other fixtures can also be involved. If you suspect that you have a sewer drain clog start by checking other fixtures in the home.
Toilets – Toilets have the most direct path to the sewer and the biggest drain line in the house, so if there is a problem with the sewer drain you will notice it here. It is rare to have a main line sewer stoppage and the toilets are working correctly.
Tub and Shower – Other drains typically affected by a main line stoppage are those in the tub and shower. This is due to the fact that they sit lower down than say a sink drain. Check whether the tub and shower drains are blocked if you suspect a sewer drain clog.