As Americans, we take many of our modern conveniences for granted. Our “invisible systems” throughout our homes make our lives easy, convenient, and sanitary in many cases. This includes buried cables and our sewer lines. We flush a toilet or take a shower and the wastewater goes down the sewer line to your municipalities sewer or your property's septic system. These are a few conveniences we tend not to think about until a problem arises. In this blog, we will address some of the more common causes of a sewer line problem, and some warning signs that will alert you to a potential issue.
Common Sewer Line Issues
There are several reasons you may be experiencing sewer line problems, below are some of the more common.
- Corrosion of the pipe due to age
- Fractures in the sewer line due to shifting soil
- Plant or tree roots causing damage to the sewer line
- Disposing of fats, oils, or any other drain-clogging items down your sink or toilet.
Unfortunately, due to your sewer line location (below ground), you cannot observe the damage that may have occurred, so it is important to be familiar with common warning signs and address them promptly.
SEWER LINE – WARNING SIGNS
Gurgling Noises
When flushing a toilet are you hearing a gurgling or percolating noise? When running an appliance, you may hear a strange noise coming from your toilet. Don’t just assume the noise is due to your home’s age, it could be a sign there is trouble brewing down below.
Spike in Your Water Bill
Have you noticed your water bill has increased significantly compared to your previous month's bill, even though your water habits have not changed? It may be a sign that you have a significant leak in your home or yard. In this instance, it is probably not your sewer line, but rather a leak in your main water line.
Water Draining Slowly
All of us have dealt with a small clog. For example, your sink or shower/tub drain may be draining slowly, you address the issue and find out there is no evidence of a clog or buildup in the pipe. Yet the drain continues to be clogged. All drains in your home are connected to the main sewer line, so mysterious clogs could be a sign of a sewer line issue.
Several Clogs at Once
Are you noticing that your drainage problem is affecting your toilet, sink, and tub? If you have a typical clog in your bathtub’s drain, that should not affect your toilet or sink's ability to drain properly. However, if your bathtub is not draining and your toilet isn’t flushing at the same time, the water is probably being held back by a system-wide issue versus a clog.
Toilet Backups
This is the last thing you want to happen, especially after using the restroom. If you find yourself in this situation, and it is not due to an overabundance of toilet paper or a septic system, this could be an indication of a faulty backwater valve that’s not doing the job of keeping the city’s sewer water out of your home.
Green Patches of Grass In Your Yard
Living in Florida we understand how hot it can get and how our grass has a tendency to burn or dry out during the summer months. If you have sections of your grass that are pristine in color, there is a good chance you have either a main water line leak or a sewer line leak. Either way, it needs to be addressed immediately.
Smelly Yard
If you are experiencing a strong sewer-like odor coming from your yard, this problem has the problem been festering for some time. This is usually a sign of a major sewer line rupture. You will want to keep children and pets away from this area and contact a plumber ASAP.
Professional Sewer Repair Specialists
Your home is your largest investment. Never wait or ignore issues that you know do not add up. This can be extremely costly and can be a health hazard. If you are experiencing sewer line-related issues, lack of water pressure, or any plumbing or septic-related issues contact Metro Rooter today. We specialize in residential and commercial plumbing emergencies. Contact us today at (904) 567-3775 and have one of our highly qualified plumbers assist you with your plumbing problem.