Early Warning Signs of Sewer Line Damage

Of all the systems that keep your home running smoothly, the sewer and plumbing system may have the biggest impact on your comfort and routine. If there’s a blocked sewer line or damage along the pipes, you could have a plumbing emergency that requires immediate steps. These repairs can be expensive and difficult to complete. The best way to avoid this situation is to recognize early warning signs.

Slow Drains

A very common sign of trouble is when water drains slowly out of the sink, the bathtub, or the toilet. If just one of these is draining slowly, you may be able to locate a blockage and make repairs yourself. If water is moving slowly down all of your drains, there’s probably a bigger problem further within the system.

Clogged Lines

Clogs or backing up are also fairly common occurrences. Again, if just one of your toilets backs up, it may be possible to find the source of trouble and make the repair yourself. However, if you have regularly reoccurring clogs and backups, you should schedule a visit from a sewer line repair cypress professional.

Sewer Odors

Sewer odors in your home or on your property are an indication that the system isn’t airtight. This is concerning for several reasons. When you notice these unpleasant smells, you know there’s a clog or a crack that’s allowing gases to escape the sewer line. If you smell rotten eggs or similar indications of natural gas leaks, leave your home without flicking any power switches, including light switches, and then contact the gas company.

Squishy Lawns

Areas of soggy lawn are another warning that the sewer line has been damaged. As water leaks out of the pipes, the surrounding grown will become damp, spongy, or raised. If you notice any swampy, squishy spots in your yard, you should contact experts, such as those at Cooper Plumbing Cypress, to locate the leak. You could spend hours digging into the system, but professionals often have tools that help them locate leaks without leaving craters or trenches in your yard.

Patches of Lush Growth

Another indication of sewage leaking into your yard is unexpected areas of new growth or pockets of flourishing plants. Lush green patches of grass could mean that sewage is seeping out the reline sewer pipe and into the soil beneath the lawn or garden. This provides extra nutrients that are good for the plants but not good for your home maintenance.

If you’ve noticed any of these signs or stepped into a puddle of septic waste, your best response is to contact a plumber right away. Remember, the sooner you take action, the less expensive it will be to take corrective action.