A damaged sewer line can lead to a variety of issues. Fortunately, there are some things you can watch out for to catch a problem before it gets out of hand.
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Clogged sewer lines are a big problem, and they can lead to serious damage to your home and its plumbing. While some clogs are easy to deal with, others require professional equipment like drain snakes and hydrojetting to be fully resolved. In the long run, identifying warning signs and taking preventative measures will help you avoid costly main line clogs altogether.
One of the first signs you may have a main sewer line clog is slow drainage or sewage backing up from toilets and other drains in your house. Since everything flows down your drains into the main sewer line, a clog here will cause all drains to function more slowly. You’ll notice this, especially when you flush a toilet and it doesn’t completely drain.
Odors from the drains can also indicate a problem with your main sewer line. If you smell a strong, unpleasant odor coming from your drains, it’s likely because there is a large amount of waste or sewage backing up in the line. Foul odors can be particularly dangerous to your health, so it’s important to have this issue resolved as soon as possible.
Check all the drains in your house to see if they’re functioning normally, starting with the lowest ones. Since the water from your lowest drains goes directly to the main sewer line, this is where you’ll usually find the first sign of a clog. Then move up the levels of your home and see if any other drains are affected.
If you have a main sewer cleanout line on your property, it’s helpful to know where it is so you can easily access it when needed. Usually, these are large pipes with caps on them that you find in your yard or basement. If you can locate it, it will help plumbers who need to work on your sewer line a lot more quickly. They can then use mini sewer line inspection cameras to pinpoint the location of the clog and determine how to best fix it. They can also use tools such as drain augers and professional-strength drain cleaners to break up or dissolve the clog safely without damaging your pipe.
Backups
Sewage backups are unpleasant and dangerous. They’re also expensive to deal with and can cause serious damage to your home and belongings. If your sewer line is damaged, you’ll need a professional to inspect it and perform any necessary repairs.
Clogged pipes are the most common cause of sewage backups. The combination of toilet paper, hair, soap scum, and grease can build up and clog the pipe. If the sewage backup affects more than one toilet or sink, it’s likely a sign of a larger problem with your main sewer line.
If you suspect that your sewer line is clogged, shut off any water in your home and contact a plumber immediately. The plumber will use a special camera to look inside the drain lines and find the source of the clog. They’ll then clear the blockage and clean the line. In some cases, the plumbing professional may suggest replacing the entire sewer line.
Many common causes of sewer backups are preventable. For example, never flush cleaning wipes, diapers, or other trash down the toilet. These items are too large to wash through the piping and can clog your home’s toilets, tubs, and sinks. You should also dispose of kitchen grease properly instead of pouring it down the drain.
Fortunately, if you do experience a sewage backup, your homeowner’s insurance policy probably covers the cleanup and restoration costs. However, the amount of coverage depends on whether the backup was caused by weather or a faulty system. Contact your insurer for more information.
The most common signs of a sewage backup are raw sewage pooling around your home’s drains or flooding the basement. To prevent bacterial contamination, it’s important to call your plumber right away and avoid using any appliances or opening the floodwaters in your home until a professional inspects and fixes the problem.
Sewage contamination poses a health risk for you and your family, and exposure can cause a wide range of illnesses. It’s essential to wear a face mask, eye protection, rubber gloves, and heavy boots when cleaning up sewage waste. If possible, shut off your home’s electricity if the flooding is near any electrical outlets.
Sewage odors
If you’re noticing the foul smell of sewer gas in your home, it could be a sign of a sewer line problem. This is one of the most serious problems you can have, and it requires professional help to fix. If left unchecked, it can cause severe damage to your home and health. It also creates an unpleasant odor that can make your home uncomfortable and difficult to live in.
The odor of sewer gas is caused by a combination of gases, including hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and methane. These gases are produced by sewage and waste in the pipes, and they can leak into your home through cracks or holes. They can also be caused by clogs or blockages in the pipes.
If the odor is coming from the basement, it could be caused by a backup in the sewer line. This could be due to a clog or blockage in the line, or it could be caused by roots that have grown into the line. It’s best to call a plumber right away to prevent further damage and get the issue fixed.
There are some things you can do on your own to solve a sewage odor problem. If the odor is coming from a single drain, you can try running some water through it to see if it clears up the odor. If the odor is coming from multiple drains in your home, you can try flushing your pipes to see if it helps. You can also try opening up the cleanout plugs on your sewer lines to see if they’re dirty.
If you have a neighbor who is experiencing sewer smell issues, you should ask them if their problem is being caused by their own system. The odor could be caused by their home or business. You can also ask them to flush their drains, which may help eliminate the odor. If the odor persists, you should contact a plumber to look at your plumbing and sewer systems. They’ll be able to check for the above issues and more.
Sewage damage
Sewage damage is a huge mess to clean up, and it presents serious health risks for you and your family. Sewage contains dangerous bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illness. If you get sewage in your house, you should immediately evacuate the area and call a professional plumber to clean and sanitize it.
Clogs are one of the most common causes of sewage damage. If you flush something down the drain that shouldn’t be there, such as toys, diapers, or heavy toilet paper, it can block your sewer line and lead to a backup. To help prevent this, be wary of what you put down the drains and don’t flush anything larger than a paper towel.
Wetness around floor drains in your basement, garage, or laundry room is another sign of a problem with your sewer line. These are usually the first spots where sewage will back up before it gets into bathtubs and showers. If you notice this, contact a plumber right away to avoid costly repairs.
Heavy traffic on your sewer line can cause it to crack or collapse. This is a bigger problem that can require an entire replacement of the line. If you have large vehicles in your driveway frequently, talk to a professional about getting a stronger line installed.
Rodents can also get into your home through cracked sewer lines. They can leave droppings and urine that will contaminate your home’s air and surfaces. This contamination can be very dangerous for children and elderly people. In addition, rodents can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans.
If you have trees on your property, they can also damage the sewer line. If they are planted too close to a buried pipe, the roots will grow toward it and eventually crack it. Once the crack is big enough, roots will begin growing inside the pipe, causing further damage and potentially a clog.
Leaking pipes are another big problem that can lead to sewage damage. When the leaking water meets up with dirt and debris, it will erode the surrounding soil. This can lead to a sinkhole that will expose your home’s foundation to damage and flooding. To prevent this, have your plumber inspect your sewer line regularly and repair any damage as soon as you notice it.