Resources

Sewer smells from a floor drain are most commonly caused by a dry “P-Trap.” Try pouring at least a gallon of water into the drain.

“Gurgling” and “Bubbling”. SESD’s maintenance contractor and the city of Englewood uses a high-pressure jet cleaning machine. When they are jet cleaning SESD’s main sanitary sewer lines you may hear gurgling or see water bubble in the toilet bowl. In rare cases, water may splash out of a toilet bowl. Jet cleaning does not damage your sanitary sewer line. We do recommend that you make it a habit to keep toilet lids down so that water is less likely to escape the toilet bowl.

Root intrusion caused by nearby trees and shrubs. Roots can maneuver their way into the sanitary sewer at pipe joints, cracks, or holes. The roots can cause a lot of damage to a sanitary sewer line and cause backups. A professional plumber can verify the condition of your sanitary sewer line and remove the roots if necessary.

Flushing Wipes or Heavy Paper Debris. Wet “flushable” wipes are marketed as being decomposable. While this may be true to some extent, these products are not likely to decompose in the seconds it travels in your sanitary sewer line or SESD’s mainline. Wipes can easily get caught up in roots or accumulate in areas of the sanitary sewer line where there is low flow and cause blockages. It is recommended not flush these products and to dispose of them in the garbage.