Your sewer line is a vital part of your home’s plumbing system. If it becomes clogged or damaged, it could lead to leaks, flooding, and other unwelcome issues to your household. Damaged or offset pipes are also expensive to replace so instead of brushing off the problem, it’s best to address them as soon as you see signs.
Call a trusted sewer line repair company once you see one (or more) of the following warning signs:
Clogged Toilets, Sink, Etc.
If your toilet is clogging more than before, this is an indication of a serious clog problem in your plumbing system. The same principle applies to your kitchen sink. If it’s running slowly or clogging more often, your sewer is clogged.
Slow Draining Bathtubs and Sinks
Another sign of sewer line damage is your toilets, sinks, and bathtub drain slowly or not at all. This problem affects multiple fixtures. For example, if you’re using the washing machine and the sink backs up or the toilet overflows, your drain pipes could be blocked.
Also, if your toilet is making gurgling sounds when you flush, it’s an indication of a blockage in your drainage system. Tree roots could be the primary culprit behind the blockage. The roots can work their way inside of the pipe via the joints. These roots will absorb the moisture inside the pipes, which causes them to grow larger and block your pipes.
Soggy Lawn
A broken sewer line can make your lawn a foul-smelling and soggy mess. It can also cause a sinkhole to form around the area, which makes a huge chunk of your yard unusable until you have the sewer pipe repaired. The swampy conditions also attract rodents and insects, potentially spreading both dirt and disease.
An Odor of Sewer Gas
If there’s a strange smell coming from your drains, your drain pipe could have a crack. Household plumbing that works properly does not emit any odor. If the smell persists, have an expert perform an inspection to determine the cause of the toxic sewer gas.
Mold and Mildew
Wet spots on your house’s walls, floors, and/or ceilings are signs of a broken water pipe or a collapsed sewer line. If left unchecked, the water from the water or sewer line can cause mildew and mold to spread rapidly, encouraging the growth of spores. These fungi spores can trigger severe allergic reactions, as well as damage your home’s foundation, exterior, or interior.
Foundation Cracks and Settlement
The most severe symptoms of sewer pipe damage include foundation issues such as cracks in your foundation’s settlement and slab, as well as sinkholes. If the main pipeline under the settlement or slab develops a leak, it can create a void under the foundation, which results in the cracks.
Sewer clogs cannot be treated with over-the-counter chemicals or a simple plunger. To clear your line of debris, dirt, and roots, get help from a professional plumbing service. These professionals use heavy-duty electric drains and sewer cleaning machines to cut away obstructions. Call a professional today to avoid dealing with severe problems in the future.
Meta title: Warning Signs Your Main Sewer Line is Damaged
Meta description: Your sewer line plays a big role in your plumbing system, which is why you need to take good care of it. Read on and find out how you can keep it in good condition.