What to Do When You Have Warning Signs of a Damaged Sewer Line

Is it a DIY fix or is it a sewer plumbing problem that requires a professional?

If it’s a one-time clogged toilet, you will be able to grab the sewer snake and get down to business. On the other hand, repeated clogs and other warning signs may be an indication that you need sewer line repair.

Sewer line problems can be the result of severe pipe damage due to corrosion, leaking joints, sagging soil lines, misalignment, root intrusion and more. Blockages in a sewage pipe will require sewer service by a plumbing professional and/or a licensed sewer repair contractor.

When you suspect there is damage to your sewer line, do not delay in getting help. The longer the problems are allowed to continue, the more expensive and extensive the damage will be.

Sewer problems often provide warning signs that trouble is brewing. Pooling water and septic waste are clear signs there is a problem. But other problems can be more discreet, overlooked or mistaken for a common household problem.

If flushing the toilet in one bathroom is causing water to back up in another room in your home, there is a good chance you have a problem with your sewer line. Blockages and clogs can be diverting water and forcing an alternate route due to a clog.

Sewer backup is a definite red flag you have a clogged sewer line. A sewer repair contractor can use a sewer camera to diagnose the problem.

Foul sewage odors are a sure sign something is amiss. Sewers are built to be airtight to keep smells and other things trapped inside. Cracks, holes and leaks will expose sewage and thus leave you with an awful smell.

In general, smelling sewage will not make you sick. However, exposure to raw sewage can make you very ill. If you encounter raw sewage, contact a plumbing professional immediately.

If you are wondering why a toilet keeps getting backed up or why a particular sink is draining slowly, it could be a blockage forming within your sewer line. If left untreated, blockages can result in cracks and significant sewer problems.

If you have tried a drain unblocker or sewer snake without success, contact a plumbing professional. Over-the-counter methods can include harsh chemicals, which can damage pipes and expedite sewer problems with older plumbing hardware.

When cracks in your sewer line leak water into the walls, it can cause mold growth. Bathrooms are especially vulnerable due to increased humidity.

If you find mold growing on your ceilings or walls, the source could be from the sewer line. Even if you do not see mold but there is an odor of mold, it could be a damaged sewage pipe. It’s best to find out if you need professional sewer line repair before further damage is done to your walls or ceilings.

Sewage is a natural fertilizer. It will create lush patches of grass. Although appealing, if grass growth is uncharacteristically greener, thicker or more rapid near a sewage pipe, there could be a problem.

Also, look for soggy areas around a sewage line. This could be a warning sign as well.

While recesses or dips in your lawn can be the result of dirt that is not correctly compacted around buried pipes, they can also be due to a leaking underground sewage pipe.

Keep kids and pets away from recesses. They can cause injury such as a twisted ankle or raw sewage exposure. Since you can’t really see what’s going on beneath the surface, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Cracks in your home’s foundation… just the sound of those words can instill fear into a homeowner.

Excessive water near and around the foundation of your home will cause problems. This includes leaking water from a water or sewage line. If you suspect sewer problems, contact a professional before damage leads to major problems with your foundation.

Openings in sewer lines create entry points for pests in your home. If you haven’t recently rescued a varmint from the local shelter, you don’t want it in your home.

Rats live in sewers. Nothing will prevent them from coming in if the way into your home is easily accessible.

Minor plumbing problems can be solved with a plunger or sewer snake. Larger problems, however, need to be addressed by a licensed plumbing professional.

Sometimes the quick fix such as fixing a slow drain with a DIY method only buys time until a more serious problem strikes. On the surface, water may be draining just fine and the toilet may be flushing without incident but out-of-sight, the real problem is a clogged sewer line.

Preventative maintenance and good habits go a long way.

Professional sewer cleaning is a great way to maintain the health of your sewer and avoid sewer line replacement. It’s a maintenance task that will prevent a sewer backup and expensive sewer repair.

Adopt good flushing habits. Only put human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Any other type of substance or material will lead to a clogged sewer line.

Do not put grease down the drain. Grease is a common culprit of clogs and will require a professional sewer cleanout.

Avoid planting trees around sewer lines. Tree root invasion is a primary cause of sewer problems.

Tackling problems before they cause a large amount of damage and become urgent is paramount in saving your home and pocketbook for disaster. When in doubt, contact a licensed plumber for a sewer line inspection.

How often do you think about your sewer? Hardly ever, right? It’s safe to say, then, most homeowners don’t think about budgeting for sewer cleaning, sewer line repair or sewer line replacement. Sewer replacement often comes out of nowhere and therefore so does the sticker shock.

The average cost for sewer repair is $2,568. Depending on the amount of damage and type of sewer you have, the range to fix a sewer is between $1,082 and $4,054. Sewer repair can go as high as $7,500 or more.

Total sewer replacement costs between $3,000 and $25,000. That’s a big price range and a whole lot of money.
(Price estimates are from Home Advisor.)

When dealing with reoccurring plumbing blockages, it is best to leave it to the professionals.

Professional plumbing companies use video inspection, including a sewer camera, to review the condition of pipes and identify problem areas. A sewer camera pinpoints the exact location of a clogged sewage line or damaged sewage pipe.

Identified problems can be solved through traditional sewer repair or trenchless sewer repair. Your sewer repair contractor can discuss your options with you.