It’s easy to take the sewer system for granted. However, it’s wise to be on the lookout for early signs of trouble with your drain lines. This way, you can take action before your plumbing fails entirely. Here are the tell-tale symptoms that your sewer line is deteriorating.
- Slow drains: This is often the first sign to appear. One sink starts draining slowly, followed by the tub in another bathroom. When multiple plumbing fixtures develop the same problem, you may have a mainline sewer blockage.
- Frequently clogged toilets: An occasional clog isn’t concerning, but if you break out the plunger once a week or more, there could be a serious clog or tree root obstruction deep within the main sewer line.
- Gurgling sounds coming from the drains: A free-flowing plumbing system shouldn’t make much noise. Gurgling or bubbling sounds indicate a blockage somewhere in the pipe. Your main sewer line could be involved if the toilet bubbles when you run the sink or the shower gurgles when you flush the toilet.
- Sewage backups: The lowest drains in your home, including a basement shower or toilet, are most susceptible to sewage backups. If more than one drain regularly experiences blockages or backups, a clogged or collapsed main sewer line could be to blame.
- Foul odors: The sewer line should be airtight everywhere except the vent stacks that allow sewage gases to escape. If you notice a foul odor lingering in or around your home, this is a sign of a cracked sewer pipe in need of repair.
- Mold growth: A drain pipe or water supply line running through your home could be leaking if you notice water stains or mold growth on the ceiling or walls. If a sewer smell accompanies the mold problem, then you can bet a drain line is broken.
- Soggy spots or lush patches of grass: Old underground sewer pipes can crack, separate, or collapse, allowing sewage to seep into the soil. This can cause perpetual wet spots or an extra green patch of grass. You need sewer line repair to remedy this potential health problem.
- Sunken areas in your yard: If you ignore soggy spots on your property, the problem could worsen. As the soil becomes overly saturated and displaced by water, a void may develop under the foundation or in the yard. Visibly sunken areas are a sign that this is happening.
- Additional problems: You could experience even more severe issues if you fail to address these signs of sewer line problems early on. Rodent and pest infestation, foundation damage, or dangerous sinkholes are all possibilities.
Don’t let it come to this! Reach out to Puget Sound Plumbing and Heating for the sewer cleaning and repair services you need. We proudly serve the Seattle area, drawing on over 20 years of experience. Contact us online or call (206) 938-3219 to discuss your sewer line concerns with our expert plumbers today.