Your sewer line carries wastewater away from your home efficiently. However, if it is damaged, the wastewater may flow into the soil in your yard or even back up inside your home. Because this pipe is underground, it can sometimes be difficult to determine if it is damaged. These are some of the signs that indicate the need for a sewer line inspection and repair.
1. Foul Odors
Sewage has a distinctive, unpleasant smell that is immediately noticeable. In many cases, people will smell sewage long before they see it. If you smell wastewater or sewer gas indoors or in your yard, there is a strong possibility that the line has a crack or break.
2. Greener Areas
Sewage acts as a natural fertilizer in your yard. When the leak is underground, the extra moisture and sewage feed vegetation in that area. As a result, you may see an area that is greener and lusher than surrounding areas. If the cause is a damaged sewer pipe, the break may be just below the green patch.
3. Sunken Ground
There are many reasons for soil to sink, so sunken ground doesn’t automatically mean that you have a sewer problem. However, a damaged sewer pipe will moisten the soil around it, and this results in soil movement and sinking. Sunken ground requires further inspection.
4. Sewage in Your Yard
If your pipe has a large leak or crack, enough sewage may spill out to create a stinky puddle. A damaged water pipe can also cause a puddle in your yard. However, if the puddle is accompanied by a horrible smell, the sewer line is the likely source.
5. Mildew or Mold Growth
Mildew and mold grow on many surfaces when they remain moist. The cause of the moisture could be a fresh water source, moisture from outdoors or your sewer line. Any mildew or mold growing on the floor, walls or other areas should be investigated. Once the cause is addressed, you can then clean the growth.
6. Unusual Toilet Sounds
When you flush the toilet, the water should flow quickly through the line. When the integrity of the sewer pipe is impaired, however, the flow may be partially impeded. In some cases, air gets into the line. The result may be slower flushing and an unusual, gurgling sound.
7. Slow Draining
Likewise, wastewater that flows down your tub, shower and sink drains will be impeded. As a result, the sink might fill with water while you brush your teeth or wash your hands. During a shower, you might find yourself standing in a few inches of water. It might take several minutes for your tub to drain after a bath.
8. Sewage Spilling Into Your Home
While a sewer line can crack or break, it can also get clogged. A clog prevents the wastewater from flowing away from the home. This results in the wastewater flowing back up the pipe and into your tub and toilet. This is a health and safety hazard and requires immediate attention.
9. Indoor Pests
Pests and rodents find any way they can to enter your home. When the sewer pipe is broken, small cracks and fissures provide them with enough space to wiggle inside. There, they may breed or even travel farther up inside the pipe and into your home. If you notice more insects than usual in your space, a leak or break should be suspected.
10. Cracked Walls
Your sewer line runs down below the house before bending outward and running away from your house. This means that the sewer pipe is in the foundation. A crack or break allows the soil to get moist, and the moisture can cause the foundation to shift. If this happens, you will notice signs of foundation damage. This might include cracks in the walls, breakage in grout lines and even doors and windows that require more effort to open and close.
Why Choose Lakeland Benjamin Franklin
At Lakeland Benjamin Franklin, we understand how important it is for your sewer problem to be fixed as soon as possible. We offer 24-hour emergency plumbing service, and our plumbers always arrive on time and ready to start working. If there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay. We are dedicated to your full satisfaction with our workmanship and our customer service. Schedule service with Lakeland Benjamin Franklin today.
