At Optimum Plumbing, we understand how critical a functioning sewer system is to your home. Blocked or broken sewer lines, aside from foul-smelling, can be a health hazard due to the release of bacteria.
Even more critical is the potential for significant damage to your property. Bacteria-infested water can quickly form hazardous black mold which can be difficult and expensive to remediate.
Don’t take any chances if you notice any of the following signs that the sewer line in your house could be failing:
5 Signs Your Sewer Line May Need Repairing/Replacement
- Soggy Lawn – A broken sewer line can make your lawn soggy and foul-smelling. This can cause a sinkhole to form around the break and make this area of your yard unusable until the cracked sewer pipe repair can be completed. The swampy conditions will also attract insects and rodents that may then find their way into your home or nearby businesses, potentially spreading both filth and disease.
- Clogs and Backups– Clogs and backups that are isolated to one area of your home and do not affect the entire system may be due to a clog in the pipe that services that fixture. If more than one drain is clogging and spilling sewage onto your floors, however, you could be experiencing clear broken sewer line symptoms. If your efforts to unclog your drains are not effective, a professional will be required to inspect your sewer lines and determine the best route to take to get your sewer lines flowing freely.
- Slow Drains- A slow drain can be due to a blockage in the pipes that service a particular sink, toilet, shower, or tub. When you have more than one plumbing fixture that drains slowly, it could be due to a broken sewer line that has separated due to the ground settling around your Sacramento County home or business. On the other hand, it could be because tree roots have infiltrated the sewer line and are obstructing the flow of the pipe.
- Foul Odor Of Sewer Gas– While it can be easy to ignore or explain away a strange smell coming from your drains, these odors are often the clearest sign that you could have a cracked drain pipe. You should never get an odor from your drains when your household plumbing is in proper working order. If you do, you need to inspect further to find the cause of why toxic sewer gas is making its way into your home.
- Broken Slabs and Wall Cracks-Buildings will often develop cracks in the concrete slab and supporting walls as they settle and the ground shifts beneath them. However, if your home is developing new cracks it may be because you have a broken sewer line that is washing away the soil supporting the foundation. If the crack is caused by a leak, the situation is unlikely to improve over time. More water will continue to wash away the surrounding soil until the foundation can no longer support the weight of the structure above. In a worst-case scenario, the house itself may collapse. A thorough inspection can determine if you have a sewer line breakage or another issue that is causing your home or business to develop cracks.
Your sewer line is responsible for disposing of waste and wastewater produced in your home or business. If you are not careful with what you allow into the drains, however, this four- to six-inch pathway is prone to blockages. That is why we urge homeowners to avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper, urine, and excrement.
We also do not recommend you toss scrap foods and used fats, oils, and greases into the kitchen sink. Finally, if you want your sewer line to flow flawlessly, schedule a biennial sewer line cleaning. Our sophisticated technology can safely and thoroughly clear your drain line to reduce the risk of clogs and sewage backups.
At Optimum Plumbing, we understand how critical a well-functioning plumbing system is to your home or business. We offer a comprehensive list of residential and commercial drain and sewer services to prevent and repair a variety of sewer plumbing problems, including:
- Video camera sewer line inspections
- Sewer line cleaning
- Sink drain cleaning
- Storm drain cleaning and repair
- Sewer line pipe repair and replacement
Our trained, licensed technicians are ready to give you a thorough diagnosis of your sewer line leaks and prepare a plan of action for you to get it repaired. Give us a call today.
