Your sewer line carries wastewater from your home to the main sewer. Most people never think about their sewer line until strange symptoms begin to spring up at home, and they may misdiagnose these issues as other plumbing problems. If you have a broken sewer line, getting a professional repair as soon as possible is the only way to prevent substantial damage. Don’t hesitate; contact a professional if you notice any of these warning signs of a damaged sewer line.
1. Slow Drains
When drains begin to move slowly, whether in the kitchen sink or the tub, it’s natural to think there is something wrong with the drain pipe itself. After cleaning it out or even calling in someone to snake the line, you may still find that the issue persists. This is because the blockage is deeper in the sewer line, preventing wastewater from leaving.
2. Foul Smell
We all know what sewage smells like, and that’s the last smell you want to detect in your home. Rather than think this is an issue with your toilet, be sure to rule out the possibility that the odor is coming from your sewer line backing up.
You’re most likely to notice a sewage smell in your basement, as a sewer line can back up and leak under your home’s foundation. If you smell the odor in your yard, this indicates that there may be a broken line outside of the home.
3. Pests
A sudden invasion of pests can also be a surprising sign of a damaged sewer line. Insects and rodents both travel through these lines, so they can escape when the line breaks. Leaking sewage is also the ideal breeding ground for some pests, and they could be drawn to your home because of the waste accumulating below the surface.
Beetles and gnats are two of the more common pests you’ll find when there is a sewage problem, but any sudden emergence of pests is a good reason to call a professional.
4. Sewage Backup in the Toilet or Tub
When your tub or toilet begin to back up with brown water, this is the most obvious sign you have a sewer problem. When sewer water is reaching your home, you need to call a professional right away to avoid exposure to hazardous substances.
5. Unusually Green Patches of Grass
The grass isn’t always greener where you water it; sometimes, it will blossom from natural fertilizer coming through your sewage line. If you notice that some parts of your lawn are suddenly thriving, this is a good indication there is a leak in the line under that spot.
Don’t Put Off Sewer Line Repairs
It is important to contact a professional as soon as you suspect something is wrong with your sewer line. Call us at Advanced Plumbing & Leak Detection in Ventura, CA for professional sewer line inspection and repair.
