Schrader Plumbing Blog

5 Signs You May Have a Broken Sewer Line

The thought of a broken sewer line can have the calmest people feeling anxious. A broken sewer line is something to take seriously. Property damage, sewage backup, and potential health risks are all possible if your sewer line is blocked or damaged and not fixed right away. 

What is a Sewer Line?

It’s the underground plumbing line that channels all of the waste from toilets, tubs, and sinks out of your home, toward the main sewer under the street in front of your home.

Common Signs of a Broken Sewer Line

Five of the most common signs of a broken sewer line include foul smells in your house, multiple slow drains, mold or mildew appearing, an increased presence of pests, and fresh green vegetation.

• FOUL SMELL: Although sewer lines have all sorts of waste traveling through them, they have tight seals. No smells should be able to get out. If you do notice a smell, there may be a crack or hole in your system. The smell itself won’t make you sick, but exposure to the waste could cause health issues.
• SLOW DRAINS: If only one of your drains is slow, it is usually isolated to that area and can be fixed with a plunger or drain snake. However, When you have more than one fixture draining slowly in your home, it’s a telltale sign that the blockage is deeper in your plumbing system – usually the sewer line.
• MOLD: If a sewer line break happens, water will seep out and touch nearby surfaces. Mold thrives in moist areas, so those surfaces are likely to grow mold. When you see mold on your ceiling or walls, you need to consider the possibility of a broken sewer line.
• PESTS: If there is a crack in your sewer line, unwanted rodents and bugs can enter. If you’ve experienced a sudden pest infestation, think about the source. You could have a break in your sewer line. In addition to dealing with your pest issue, you should also call a plumber.
• NEWLY LUSH LAWN PATCHES: How can that be bad, right? Actually, lush spots in your yard that are green, vibrant, and thriving while everything around them turns brown are hard-to-miss signs of a collapsed sewer line. The water and nutrients from your sewer line act as excellent fertilizers, but this method of irrigation is not recommended long-term. Over time, toxins can build up in the soil and leech to the surface, especially if the soil is disturbed.

If you’re experiencing one or more of the things on this list, give the professionals at Schrader Plumbing a call to inspect your sewer line. We’ll provide honest recommendations on whether your sewer line can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. Schedule an appointment today ! 817-262-0989