Are you having problems with your plumbing? The problem may be with your sewer line. Here are the telltale signs you need your sewer line fixed.
Plumbing issues are annoying, but sewage issues can be downright stinky. What’s even worse is repairing sewage system damage is one of the most expensive plumbing repairs you can make.
Catching the problem early is key to keeping costs down and damage to a minimum. Knowing what to watch out for will help you spot the warning signs before disaster strikes.
To spot a problem like a pro, let’s look at 5 signs you have a damaged sewer line.
1. You Smell Sewage
Odors coming from your drain is not normal, especially if it has the rotten egg smell of sewage. If you smell sewer gas anywhere inside or outside your home, it’s time to call a plumber.
Sewage lines are airtight, meaning you should never smell it. Any hint of an odor could mean there’s a break somewhere on the sewer line.
It’s essential you don’t wait to call for help. Sewer fumes can be dangerous to you and your family’s health.
2. Slow Drains and Backups
Having a slow-moving sink, toilet, or bathtub drain usually means there’s a clog somewhere down the line. Yet, if more than one drain appears affected, it could signal an issue with your sewer line.
This is also true when more than one drain is backing up into your home. Sinks and bathtubs that have foul-smelling water backing up through the drain means there’s a break or it’s time for a main sewer line clean out.
3. Soggy Patch in Yard
Have you found a soggy patch in the yard you can’t blame on rain or yard irrigation? Since sewer lines run underground, it could mean there’s a leak in the line.
Saturated dirt from a sewage leak will also cause the ground to sink, leaving an indentation in your yard. This indent may fill with dirty, stinky water which will attract insects and rodents.
4. Lush Green Grass in One Area
Your lawn can also give another sign there’s a problem with your sewer line. An unexplained patch of very lush, very green grass is an unexpected clue.
Sewage is essentially fertilizer for your grass. When it leaks into the ground from a broken line, the nutrients will cause the grass to grow in thick and extra green.
While the green grass may be nice to look at, what’s going on underneath is not. Call a plumber to run a video line through your system to find out what’s going on.
5. New Rodent Problem
Do you have a newfound problem with mice or rats in your home? A sudden infestation of rodents is a sign of sewer line damage most people don’t think of.
This happens because rodents live in the sewers. When there’s a break in the sewage line, rodents will squeeze through and find their way inside your walls.
If you have a rodent problem that pest control hasn’t been able to solve, call a plumber to check your sewer line.
Know the Signs of a Damaged Sewer Line
Don’t let a small plumbing issue get out of control. By knowing how to spot the signs of a damaged sewer line, you can save yourself and your wallet from a stinky situation.
Looking for more ways to fix up your home? Be sure to check out the articles on our Home Improvement blog!
