Your sewer line is working behind-the-scenes to take the wastewater generated by your household’s usage and transport it safely from your house. You typically do not pay much mind to it when it is operating properly. However, when problems arise in your sewer line, it will give you “signs” — and these warning signs should always be taken seriously. Knowing what signs your sewer line is giving you will allow you to take action before a small issue turns into a large repair, reduce potential property damage, and provide for the health and well-being of your family members.

For many homeowners, they are surprised to discover their sewer line is malfunctioning when they are frantically looking for plumbing services near me. Many homeowners who learn how to identify the most common signs of a malfunctioning sewer line will have a head start on calling a nearby plumber before a small issue escalates into a major repair. The following are some of the warning signs your sewer line may be in trouble.

Why Sewer Line Problems Are Serious

The primary purpose of your main sewer line is to connect each of your household drains to either the municipal sewer system or a septic tank. Your main sewer line can become backed-up, damaged or collapsed which means that wastewater cannot flow anywhere. Backups, contamination and high repair bills can occur when your sewer line fails.

Some of the common reasons why your sewer line fails include:

Root invasion by trees

Buildup of grease or other debris

Old or corroding pipes

Soil settling or shifting foundations

Identifying the symptoms will enable you to react quickly and avoid emergency situations.

1. Gurgling Drains

Gurgling sounds from drains, toilets and even showers are one of the most commonly overlooked signs your sewer line is trying to communicate with you. The sounds occur when air becomes trapped in your plumbing system due to a blockage.

Gurgling sounds can occur when:

Using a single fixture (i.e., running the sink or taking a shower)

Using multiple fixtures at the same time

Flushing the toilet

If you only experience a single drain gurgling, it could potentially be a local clog; however, if you experience gurgling sounds from multiple drains, it is highly likely that the issue lies within your main sewer line. Contact a local plumber to inspect your sewer line further.

2. Unpleasant Smells Coming From Drains or Yard

Sewer lines are designed to keep foul smells out of your home. When you detect bad odors emanating from your drains, tubs or floor drains, or if you notice persistent bad odors throughout your home, or if you notice bad smells coming from your yard, it indicates that your sewer line needs attention.

Typical unpleasant odor-related warning signs include:

Bad smells from the drains, tubs or floor drains

Recurring bad smells that do not go away after you clean them

Odors emanating from your yard

These types of odors may indicate that you have a cracked sewer pipe, dry traps, or a blockage preventing the passage of wastewater through the sewer line. Sewer gas odors are hazardous to your health and require prompt service from a local plumber or the search for reliable plumbing services near me.

3. Drains Slowly Throughout the House

Slow draining in one area of your home may be simply due to regular maintenance; however, when slow draining occurs in several areas of your home, it is an indication of a larger issue with your main sewer line.

Examples of slow draining may include:

Taking a long time for the water to drain from the sinks

Bathwater fills up during a shower

Toilets bubble or flush slowly

These examples indicate that the wastewater is having difficulty passing through the sewer line due to a blockage or damage to your sewer line. A reputable local plumber can inspect your sewer line and determine whether your issue is caused by buildup, root infiltration or pipe failure. They will then advise you on the safest and most cost-effective solution.

4. Soft Spots, Wet Patches or Fast-Growing Grass in Your Yard

Your sewer line runs underground, so when your sewer line develops a leak or break, the evidence of the problem is typically found above-ground first. Examples of soft spots, wet patches or fast-growing grass in your yard are indicative of a sewer line problem.

Keep an eye out for:

Fast growing or lush grass in areas where you normally wouldn’t expect it

Wet or soft soil patches in your yard

Standing water in your yard

Sunken areas in your yard

This type of damage to your yard can result in landscaping damage, or damage to the soil under your home which can cause the soil to shift and lead to structural damage to your home. At this point, it is crucial that you search for plumbing services near me to address this issue.

Additional Warning Signs to Watch For

There are additional warning signs that may indicate that you have a sewer line issue including:

Constant drain clogs

Backups of sewage into your tubs or floor drains

Insect or pest activity around your drains or yard

As stated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the disposal of untreated sewage can contaminate both the soil and the groundwater and create significant environmental and health hazards (outbound link suggestion: EPA wastewater resources). Identifying and addressing the problem early will greatly minimize the cost associated with repairing and cleaning up the damage.

What NOT to Do When You Identify These Symptoms

When you identify your sewer line is exhibiting signs:

Do not use chemical drain cleaners to temporarily fix the issue — they can make the problem worse and damage your pipes

Do not ignore ongoing issues

Do not continuously use large amounts of water

Temporary fixes may hide the actual problem and allow the damage to continue. Licensed plumbers typically utilize specialized equipment such as a sewer camera and/or hydro-jetting to diagnose and repair your sewer line.

When to Contact a Local Plumber

Contact a local plumber immediately if:

Multiple drains are impacted by the issue

You smell sewage inside your home or in your yard

Water is backing up into your drains

You see changes in your yard

A professional plumber will inspect your sewer line to identify the source of the problem and recommend the best options based upon local regulations and safety guidelines.

Summary

Your plumbing system has its own way of communicating to you when there is an issue — and you should never disregard the signs your sewer line is sending you. Gurgling drains, bad odors, slow draining, and soggy patches in the yard are all indicators that you need to investigate.

Taking proactive measures can limit property damage, health hazards, and costly repairs. If you identify any of the warning signs mentioned above, the smartest course of action would be to contact a reputable local plumber or search online for plumbing services near me. If you listen to your sewer line today, it may save you headaches, time and money tomorrow.