All drains in your home lead out to the main sewer line. Your sewer main is not fitted with any alarms notifying you that it has a leak. You need to be aware of the signs that your sewer line is leaking. A Sewer leak repair requires the expertise of a seasoned plumbing technician. Some sewer line problems often call for simple maintenance, while cracked or broken lines could require a trenchless sewer line repair. A trenchless sewer line involves installing an epoxy lining in the sewer pipe. The procedure has become the go-to installation for cracked or broken lines. A trenchless sewer line is designed to last 50 to 100 years. Worst case scenario, your sewer main will need replacing altogether. However, before then, it makes sense to first know of a few tell-tale signs that usually precede sewer leaks. The most common ones include:
Backing Up or Slow Drains
If you have slow-moving drains, there is a high likelihood that a tree root has obstructed your sewer line. If your pipes take too long to drain, clearing tree roots from your drain will temporarily stop them from recurring. You must remove the source of the roots or schedule a trenchless sewer line installation to seal any breaches in the pipe. Your plumbing technician will complete a camera inspection. Your plumber will have an accurate analysis of the problem, which will enable him or her to fix your drains accordingly.
Gurgling Drains and Toilets
Gurgling drains is when water gets displaced by air inside the pipes each time you flush. Gurgling drains are an indication of a more severe problem in the sewer main. As such, any time you hear gurgling noises from your drains and toilets, then you’re likely to have a sewage backup somewhere along the main sewer pipe. The sound gets louder each time sewer gases and fumes interact with draining water. A secondary drain line in your kitchen or bathroom is easy for your plumber to clear. However, the main drain line is much more complicated. Gurgling from your main sewer line could be to a partial blockage caused by tree roots penetration.
Mold Growth
Picture this scenario: You’ve been living in your current house for more than a decade. Throughout that time, you’ve never had mold problems. Then you suddenly have a problem with mold. There’s only one likely culprit here. You have a serious pipe leak behind your walls. A cracked or broken pipe provides the right amount of humidity required for mold to thrive. Take action before it’s too late, especially if the mold is accompanied by strong sewer odor. Call your plumber first before calling a mold remediation company.
Any Sanitary Sewer System Should Be Airtight
If you can smell sewage, it’s time to investigate. Chances are you have broken or cracked sewer main. Any sanitary sewer system should be airtight. You shouldn’t be able to smell anything from it. Have you noticed a sudden lush spot in your lawn? An underground sewer leak is most likely causing it. That’s because sewage is an excellent fertilizer. It is, therefore, healthy for plants to easily thrive and flourish around such a leak. Be cautious, though, because sewer waste carries with it harmful bacteria that you shouldn’t be exposed to people or pets. Call your licensed plumbing company to thoroughly inspect the area and fix the leak as soon as possible.
Septic Waste Pools – Don’t Attempt To Fix The Problem
A pool of sewer waste, however minor, is a sure sign that the sewer line to the septic tank is cracked or broken. In most cases, you can trace the leak back to the small pool of sewage. Don’t attempt to fix the problem yourself. If you encounter a broken septic tank immediately, call your plumbing company.
Buckling and Cracks Could Be Monumental
Suppose a cracked or broken sewer main under your home breaks and goes untreated. The result could be monumental, leaving cracks in the foundation as well as the walls. In rare cases, a sinkhole has occurred. While these are more extreme symptoms of a broken sewer pipe, it is worth watching for the signs.
Important Note
Sewer leaks hardly ever crop up without warning. Consider all aforementioned tell-tale signs as red flags. Then, by all means, have your trusted plumbing technician’s contact information handy.
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