Sewer Line Problem Symptoms and Solutions

Do you know how to identify potential sewer problems and how to solve them? Most homeowners rarely think about their sewer line, but this important plumbing component controls the wastewater flow away from your home. Learning to identify signs that your sewer line is clogged or damaged will alert you to the need for professional plumbing help to correct the issue and prevent sewage backup or other plumbing problems in your Houston home.

Signs of a Clogged Sewer Line

Just like the other plumbing lines in your home, your sewer line can be clogged by either organic or inorganic debris. A clogged sewer line is likely to cause slow drains in your home. The difference between a single clogged drain and a clogged sewer line is that you will notice more than one fixture in your home is draining slowly. Toilets in particular are often affected by sewer line clogs, making flushing them a more difficult and slow process. If your toilets are working correctly, your plumbing problem is not likely to be caused by a sewer line clog. Other signs of a sewer line clog include water backups in some fixtures when others are in use—for instance, flushing the toilet may cause water to back up into your tub or shower. You may also notice rings of soap scum or mineral deposits around tub and shower drains. These rings occur when water backs up into the drain, leaving behind deposits before it can drain away again.

Signs of a Damaged Sewer Line

In some cases, sewer lines can become cracked or otherwise damaged, causing sewage leaks. The major signs of a broken sewer line can be seen in your lawn above the damaged section of pipe. Leaking sewage from a broken sewer line can cause your lawn to feel spongy or develop puddles of standing water. Because your sewer line leaks untreated wastewater, you may also smell a strong foul odor. Excess water may cause the area of your lawn around a leak to experience lush overgrowth of weeds and landscaping.

Solutions for a Clogged or Damaged Sewer Line

If you suspect your sewer line is clogged, you can attempt to snake the line using a sewer snake. Don’t flush drain cleaning chemicals down your drains in the hopes of clearing a sewer line clog—these chemicals can damage your plumbing or cause problems if they leak into the soil of your yard. However, the best way to address a clogged or damaged sewer line is to contact your professional plumber for help. Your plumber will be able to quickly and easily diagnose the problem and make repairs without causing you stress or inconvenience. In many cases, damaged sewers can be repaired via trenchless technology in less than a day.

Although you may not think about your home’s sewer line until you experience a problem, you can take steps to protect this important plumbing component. Reduce your water usage and avoid overusing your garbage disposal or flushing garbage down your drains and toilets. If you do encounter sewer issues or other plumbing problems in your Houston home, visit our website to schedule immediate plumbing services from a professional and friendly Mr. Rooter plumber. You can find more tips for spotting signs of plumbing trouble and avoiding common plumbing problems on our blog.