If you’re concerned about catching your sewer line issue before it’s too late, we’ve gathered four warning signs you should look out for:
1. Frequent Backups in Your Drains
Our advice to you is to steer clear of liquid “drain cleaner” and call a professional to check out that backed-up drain! If you have a drain that continuously clogs, especially in the lowest level of your home, it could come from a break or blockage in your sewer pipe.
2. Multiple Fixtures Are Clogged
You aren’t sure if the toilet or shower drain keeps clogging because of an individual pipe blockage or because of a sewer line issue. However, a very obvious sign of a sewer line issue is when more than one plumbing fixture backs up at the same time.
3. Strange Reactions When Using Plumbing Fixtures
The next thing to look for when you suspect a sewer drain clog is any unexpected or unusual reactions when using plumbing fixtures. You may have a problem if:
Flushing the toilet causes water to back up from your tub or shower.
Toilet water starts to bubble. Should this happen, run water in the sink closest to the toilet for a minute or so. If the water continues to bubble (or rises), then it’s not a fluke.
Hearing a gurgling noise as the toilet flushes or the water in your bathtub or shower is draining. If you hear this, contact your local plumber.
4. Your Lawn Starts to Change
A sewer line typically extends from your home, through your front lawn, and into the city’s sewage system. Head outside and see if you can notice any of these changes to your lawn:
- If you have a break in your sewer line, you’ll see an indentation on your lawn.
- If you find a soggy patch of grass when it hasn’t rained or snowed recently, it may be sewage from a broken sewer pipe.
