Get matched with top sewer cleaners in Lenox, GA

Thankfully, it’s pretty rare to find a rat in your toilet. It’s more likely in larger cities with big sewer systems that can be feeding grounds for rats, but even then, you still shouldn’t fret. 

“I wouldn’t worry too much about rats coming up through the sewers,” Bradshaw says. “I’d say only one out of a thousand rodent customers we get actually have this problem. And of the 20 or some customers that have had this happen, they’ve all only had just one rat come up this way.”

There are several common signs that your main sewer line may be clogged. Key indicators include multiple fixtures in your home draining slowly, gurgling sounds coming from drains or toilets, and water backing up into showers, sinks, or toilets. You might also notice water backing up from the plumbing system's drain cleanout, water in your basement drain, or unexplained wet patches on your lawn. Foul odors, such as the smell of raw sewage or rotten eggs, are another common symptom. The most reliable way to confirm a main sewer line clog is to hire a professional plumber to perform a camera inspection.

If the toilet is overflowing but there’s no clog, that’s a sign that the issue is deeper in the system, and plunging may not help. A blockage in your home’s plumbing, the plumbing vent, or even city sewer lines can cause toilets to overflow. The issue could also be the toilet itself if the filler float isn’t set to the correct height or if parts are damaged or worn out.

This depends on the location of the blockage. If the blockage is in your home’s system, anywhere in the system, it is your responsibility as a homeowner. Blockages seldom happen because of items or buildup coming from the city, which means it originates in the home. It becomes the city’s responsibility at the exact point your home’s line distributes waste into the city’s system. The exception is if the problem in your home damages the city lines.