What should you search for when a sewer line is plugged?

When searching for a plugged sewer line, the best indication of a blockage is often found in a manhole that exhibits reduced or no flow. This is because a properly functioning sewer line should show a consistent flow of wastewater. When there's a blockage, wastewater cannot travel past the obstruction, causing an accumulation in the manhole. This condition not only suggests the presence of a blockage further down the line but also helps in determining the location of the blockage.

Recognizing that the flow is reduced or absent in a manhole allows operators to pinpoint the problem area and subsequently make necessary repairs or clear the obstruction. Other factors, such as broken pipes, odor changes, or nearby inspection chambers, may provide useful information but do not directly indicate the immediate circumstances of a blockage as effectively as observing flow conditions in a manhole.