Sewer lines play an important role in all home plumbing systems. A sewer line is a unique type of plumbing pipe that channels wastewater from the drains of your home and carries it to the primary municipal sewer system or into a septic tank. All sewer lines are located deep underground and outside of your home. Any waste from your toilet, tub, dishwasher, or sink goes into the drains of your home, and all drains deposit this waste into the sewer line. The goal of the sewer line is to take liquid waste away from the residence safely and to the appropriate reservoir for treatment.
However, given the sewer line’s underground location, this plumbing pipe can experience various types of damage. Causes of damage can range from storms to major clogs or tree root intrusion. Any defects in your sewer line can wreak havoc on your property and expose your family to bacteria, pathogens, and other health or safety hazards. Fortunately, key indicators signify a problem with your sewer line, even if you cannot see the pipe itself from above the ground.
Looking at the top 10 warning signs of sewer line issues can help you decide when to schedule professional sewer line repairs.
1. Slow Drains
Water that drains too slowly from your sink, toilet, or bathtub can indicate a clog or blockage in your sewer line. Obstructions within your sewer line can inhibit wastewater from your home. Not only can this create sanitation issues, but the internal pressure can eventually cause the pipe to crack or burst. Sewer line blockage often impacts more than one drain in the home.
If you notice this occurrence, contact one of our plumbers to locate the clog and fix the issue.
2. Unusual Odors
A damaged sewer line can cause sewer gas or raw sewage odors to seep into your home. The most common sewer gas that can leak into the home is hydrogen sulfide. Most sewer systems and septic tanks have anaerobic chambers in which sulfate-reducing bacteria reduce sulfate into hydrogen sulfide. Although this process is beneficial for wastewater treatment, hydrogen sulfide gas is toxic to humans because it can interfere with oxygen absorption in the body. You can identify hydrogen sulfide by its rotten egg or musty smell.
Raw sewage may also contain other disease-spreading fumes and its putrid odor. You should not smell sulfur or sewage anywhere except for vent stacks. If you constantly smell sewage or rotten egg odors from your pipes, within your basement, or whenever you go outside.
3. Strange Noises
Strange noises from your pipes or toilet can also indicate an issue with your sewer line. The most common noises are gurgling sounds that emanate from the drain or toilet, regardless of whether you have used these fixtures. The gurgling noise may signify a blockage deep within the system.
4. Sewage Backup
Few plumbing problems are more horrifying than sewage or waste back into the home. A major obstruction in your main sewer line can cause brown or gray waste to back up into your fixtures. The most severe backups require you to turn off the water supply to prevent flooding, but all backups demand that you seek professional help immediately. Never attempt to fix a backup since improper pressure on pipes can create additional sewage leaks.
In addition, our plumbers have the equipment necessary to help prevent the unnecessary spread of harmful sewage bacteria.
5. Wet Spots in the Yard
Patches of wet or soggy spots in the yard can signify an issue with your sewer line. Punctures or cracks in the line can leak sewage that soaks or fertilizes uneven areas of your yard. These soggy patches can eventually create visible puddles or even sinkholes. Since sinkholes can threaten your home’s foundation, investigate the source of saggy patches in the lawn before they escalate into widespread issues.
6. Pests in the Yard
The sudden appearance of unwanted critters can also indicate problems with your sewer line. Leaky or ruptured sewer lines release waste and create the perfect habitat for pests who love to feed or breed in moist environments.
7. Sudden Spike in Water Usage or Bills
A broken sewer line can result in continuous water flow, which causes the water meter to continue running and drives up your water bill. If you notice a spike in your monthly utility bill without explanation, a plumber can help determine whether pipe damage is the culprit.
8. Cracks in the Walls
While you may notice damaged sewer lines right away, the most serious types of damage can exert significant pressure on your home’s foundation. For example, cracks or fractures in sewer lines can emit moisture that attracts tree roots. The tree roots can puncture and intrude into the sewer lines, causing them to shift and harming your home’s foundation. Problems with your foundation can result in cracks along your house’s walls.
These cracks compromise the structural integrity of your house and serve as entry points for everything from inclement weather to pests.
9. Mold or Mildew Growth
Excessive leaking from a broken sewer line can release moisture, bacteria, and other organic material. This combination creates the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. The spread of these biological contaminants usually occurs on the walls or flooring near plumbing lines.
10. Fluctuating Toilet Water Levels
Most people associate fluctuating toilet bowl water with changes in water pressure or hardware issues. For example, a blocked air vent can cause water to go up and down, and leaks can also cause water to seep from your toilet bowl. However, if the water level in your toilet bowl randomly rises and falls even if you have not used it, your system may have problems eliminating waste from the sewer line.
Contact Level 9 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing Plumbers Today
A broken sewer line is a nightmarish occurrence for any homeowner. Whether you use a septic tank or the municipal sewer system, it is important to schedule repairs before a defective sewer line further damages your property. Fortunately, the experts are here to help. Level 9 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing offers sewer line repair for homes in Washington, St. Louis, Des Peres, and surrounding areas. As Missouri’s leading residential plumbing service, we troubleshoot all sewer or septic systems.
Our plumbers can repair broken sewer lines, fix toilets and other connected fixtures, or conduct complete system replacement if necessary. We perform camera inspections to get to the root of the problem quickly and can provide solutions as advanced as slab leak repair. Our plumbers also specialize in leak detection, drain cleaning, and preventive plumbing maintenance plans to keep your home comfortable.
In addition to your pipes and fixtures, our plumbers can service your traditional water heater or help you upgrade to an energy-efficient tankless water heater. We also provide plumbing services for renovations and remodeling and can provide water quality upgrades such as softening or filtration. No matter the problem, we have the solution. Contact Level 9 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing today for all of your plumbing needs.
