3 Signs Your Sewer Line Needs Repair

Damage to your sewer line is a serious problem that exposes itself in the worst possible way. If left unchecked, it can lead to even worse problems that put you and your family’s health at stake. Unfortunately, major problems are not always apparent in the beginning, and are often confused with minor problems.

As a Stuart area homeowner being aware of potential sewer line problems could potentially save you lots of money, prevent damage to your home, and prevent repair or replacement of the sewer line. To avoid the headache, it’s important to recognize and know what to look out for when there is an issue with your sewer line. Below are some signs to consider, if any of them rear their ugly head, seek professional help immediately.

1. Water Draining Slowly or Backed-Up Drains

Sinks and tubs that drain slowly are a pain and very annoying, this is especially true when you are cleaning your home or entertaining guests at home. When faced with this problem, most people simply reach for the drain cleaner to try to de-clog the drain. Unfortunately, this is only a temporal measure, it might improve the problem, but only for a short amount time.

Commercial drain cleaner products, though an easy fix, can actually cause more harm than good. This is because they contain corrosive chemicals that are harsh to your sewer pipes. By using them, you weaken the already faulty and damaged sewer line and this can cause the entire line to collapse. It is better for you to call a plumber with appropriate equipment to solve the issue.

When your drain is clogged it means that there is a problem in your sewer line. Though this could mean that the drain simply has an obstruction that a drain cleaner can solve, the bigger question is why has the obstruction occurred. It could be that there is a problem in your piping that should be addressed before it escalates into an even bigger problem. Seek the services of a plumber who can decipher the real reason for slow draining sinks, tubs, showers, and slow flushing toilets.

When drains start backing up, and water is coming back up from all drains, sinks, tubs, showers and toilets, this usually means that the sewer line is definitely faulty and water can’t drain properly. It can also indicate that there is severe damage, and replacement is almost certain.

2. Soggy Patches and Water Spots

Damp water spots found in your basement are early warning signs of something wrong with your sewer line. Commonly found around drains and coupled with foul odors, these patches can be the first indication that there is indeed something wrong. When left unattended, this can lead to flooding of the basement with sewer water damaging even the foundation of the house.

Moisture and water accumulating from sewer leaks can also cause cracks to form on the walls and the floors, causing damage and weakening them. Seek assistance from a Stuart plumber before the damage gets out of hand.

Finding puddles in your lawn that are soggy for no apparent reason is another cause for alarm. These puddles may be particularly close to where the pipes run or at the joints. Leaks can also be caused by industrial waste that has backed up. This waste is usually dangerous and can introduce dangerous chemicals into the ground water.

Finding an area on the lawn that has unusual vegetation growth is another sign of leakage. The contaminated water can cause indentations in the lawn where sewer leaks have softened it.

Leaks from the sewer line can be caused by various factors, such as:

1.  Tree roots: Roots cause destruction as they try to seek water.
2. Seismic activity: Earthquakes and tremors cause cracks that cause sewer leakage.
3. Digging: When digging nearby, you can inadvertently cause damage to the sewer line.
4. Floods: They cause a lot of water to infiltrate sewers, causing problems.
5. Leaching minerals: Minerals occurring outside the sewer line can corrode it.
6. Hard water: Causes damage to the pipes from within.
7. Temperature: Fluctuations of temperature and especially long periods of cold weather affect the sewer line.
8. Rust: Corrosion may occur, especially in old pipes.

3. Foul Odors and Odd Sounds

If you find your home has a foul odor that smells like rotten eggs, then the likely culprit is the sewer line. Drain pipes are designed with u-bends that trap and prevent foul smells from going back up and reaching the top of drains. However, if these odors reach the surface, regardless of this safety measure, there is a problem.

These odors are usually caused by the build-up of bacteria. Bacteria grows in drains due to the accumulation of organic matter on the walls of the drains. This organic matter is mainly food waste, hair, and soap; all elements that feed the bacteria and aid it’s growth. The result is a foul sewer or acrid smell in the sewer line. When odors are found in all house faucets then there is a major problem in the plumbing line.

If the sewer line is damaged or cracked, the foul odors will definitely pass through the drain and into the home. If you get a whiff of these smells contact your plumber since it could be a broken sewer line. Unusual sounds heard when water is draining usually indicate the same problem. Odd bubbling or gurgling sounds when you flush the toilet or drain a sink, show that there is at least some type of clogging of the sewer line.

Other signs you should look out for include:

1. Toilet water level fluctuations
2. Multiple plumbing issues
3. Unusual water reactions: For example, if you flush one toilet and water comes out of a sink
4. Sudden increases in your water bills
5. Low water pressure or flow
6. Age of the pipes: Old pipes are easily prone to damage
7. Any of these signs should lead you to seek help for your sewer line.

Replacing or fixing a sewer line is a task best left to professionals. For expert services in Stuart, FL contact Allore’s Plumbing Services LLC at 772 288-0998.