When a home’s sewer lines are in good condition, you may not even think about how the wastewater leaves your living space. Yet, even minor cracks can turn into major issues once the sewer lines begin to deteriorate. Watching for these five signs of a sewage line problem helps you know when to call in a plumber to investigate if it’s time to plan for a replacement.
1- Dealing With Frequent Clogs
Considering all of the waste that the sewage system handles, it’s amazing that it manages to whisk everything away. Yet, it’s also important to know that sewage lines can sometimes develop clogs that become bigger with time. You can do your best to prevent clogs by using caution with what you put down the drain. However, older lines can often accumulate clogs made up of minerals, paper, and soapy residue that may become big enough to block the water from going through.
2- Finding a Soggy Spot in the Lawn
Discovering a lush patch of grass isn’t always a sign that your sprinklers are doing their job. Cracked sewer lines can leak water and raw sewage that stimulates grass to overgrow. You might also notice a patch of soggy grass that develops from water leaching from broken pipes into the ground. A professional plumber can use special tools to identify where the leak is occurring and determine if the pipes need to be replaced.
3- Smelling a Foul Odor
Leaky sewer lines can also allow sewage gasses to seep into the air. Not only does this create a foul odor, but it could also expose you and your family to potentially hazardous toxins. If you notice a foul odor outside, then you could have a broken pipe somewhere under the ground. The same is also true if you smell a foul or musty odor anywhere in your house, especially near bathrooms and sinks.
4- Experiencing an Increase in Pests
Cockroaches and other types of pests love the moist conditions that sewage line problems create. Since sewage lines can develop issues anywhere between the fixtures in your house to the outer edges of your property, you might find an uptick in pest activity in any area. Most often, plumbers find pests increasing in number in wet areas such as the bathroom. While you might still need assistance from a pest control technician, replacing faulty sewer lines can help to eliminate the problem.
5- Noticing Signs of an Aging Home
Most sewer lines can last for several decades, and modern PVC materials can extend the life of the system to around 100 years. But, the chances of a problem developing increase as your home ages. Foundation issues often indicate that the ground around your home is shifting. If the house is moving, then you can bet that there is additional pressure being placed on the sewer lines. You might also notice your neighbors need to replace their sewer lines since many homes are built around the same time in a neighborhood.
Sewer line problems can rapidly escalate to hazardous situations if wastewater begins to accumulate in or around the exterior of your home. Fortunately, professional plumbers have ways to replace portions of a line or the entire system to ensure that your home’s sewer lines run smoothly for years to come.