Do You Have a Sewer Line Problem?

A sewer line problem can start out small and grow into a gigantic headache. A damaged sewer line can lead to water damage and contamination of your property. Before you have to call for emergency repairs, pay close attention to the symptoms of a sewer line problem. If the symptoms begin to stack up, then reach out to a plumber before it’s too late.

1. Sewer Gas Odor

The first sign that something’s not right may not be something you see, but something you smell. If you detect a strong, sulfur or rotten egg odor, that could be a sign that something’s leaking. Contrary to some false old wives tales, you’re never supposed to be able to smell your septic tank or sewer line. However, your line could be cracked, allowing gas, and maybe more, escape.

2. Slow Draining

Use your favorite kind of at home clog remover to tackle slow drains at first. If your store bought remedies don’t work, it could be a sign that there’s something more fundamentally wrong with your line. Consistent, chronically slow drains could mean a clog, broken pump, or something else is disrupting the flow.

3. Suspiciously Thriving Lawn Spots

If your sewer line runs under your lawn, then you’re actually in luck. Surprisingly, your grass can help you identify sewer line problems. For instance, if one spot in your yard seems to be doing unusually well, that’s actually a bad sign. Leaking sewage acts as a fertilizer for plants. Unfortunately, it’s bad news for the rest of us.

4. Wall and Ceiling Mold

This one depends on the configuration of the pipes in your home. If your sewer lines run through your walls and ceilings close to the exterior walls, a break or leak could lead to mold growth. Mold thrives in a humid environment, so extra moisture leaking from pipes is great for it. This leads to the double problem of having to fix your sewer line AND your new mold problem. Luckily, we can help with mold removal!

5. Bubbles from Your Pipes

Sewer lines that let sewage out can also let air in. Bubbles that rise from your drains can be signs of a serious problem with your drains. The more there are, the worse the problem is.

6. Pipe Sounds

Banging, moaning, and gurgling in the pipes are additional signs that bubbles are getting in there. You might not have them all the way to your drains (or you may not notice them before you start looking), but these sounds all indicate that something’s not right. Tight, well-sealed pipes don’t make a lot of noise. Banging inside of your walls is also probably due to bubbles in your pipes.

7. Foundation Cracks

There are a lot of things that can lead to a crack in your foundation, but prolonged moisture exposure is one. A slow sewer leak might be all but noticeable until you start seeing cracks showing up in your foundation. This sign is one you can’t miss, and it’s typically expensive to fix. Keep your eye out for smaller clues, so you’re not blindsided with this one.

If you can catch signs of a problem with your sewer line early, you can nip issues in the bud. Keep your eyes, ears, and nose open for signs all around you. Tackle problems early, and you won’t have to place an emergency call when everything goes wrong.