Many homeowners are unaware that they even have a sewer line. Most believe that there are drain lines but would never imagine that they also own a sewer line at their property. We have come to associate the term sewer line with a pipe owned by the city or municipality. And we assume it is their responsibility to maintain it. So when you hear about a possible sewer line issue, it is quickly dismissed as someone else’s problem to worry about and pay to have repaired. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
What Is A Residential Sewer Line?
Your home’s main sewer line is the pipe where all of your house drains converge. This one line carries all of the dirty water and waste from your home to the city sewer system. It connects not only your sink, tub, and shower drains but also the drainpipes from your toilets. So when there is an issue with your home’s sewer line, you are likely to experience raw sewage backing up into your showers and tubs as well as the toilets. Any problems with the sewer line should be addressed quickly by a licensed plumber to avoid costly waste and water damage and potential contamination from the raw sewage.
Warning Signs Of A Problem
Because all of the drains in your home are connected to the sewer pipe, an issue can occur inside or outside your home. We will start with the indoor warning signs as they are often the first to appear and the most costly and upsetting to deal with. Any time to notice any of the following symptoms, a fast call to a licensed plumber is essential.
- Foul Odors: Your home’s plumbing should never be stinky. There are measures in place to ensure that sewage gases never filter up into your home. And if you are smelling unpleasant odors from your drains or toilet, then something is very wrong.
- Mold And Mildew: A crack or leak in a sewer line will leak water and waste that will promote the growth of mold and mildew. If you notice any signs of mold and mildew, call your licensed plumber immediately. The invasion will spread quickly. The spores can begin to contaminate the air that you are breathing in just days, causing mild to very severe respiratory issues.
- Slow Drainage: When you notice one sink or tub drain clearing more slowly than usual, the issue is likely to be in the drain line and easily corrected. However, when you find that every drain in your home and your toilets are clearing slowly, the issue is in the sewer line. This is very serious and can result in massive damage to your home is left uncorrected. Call in a plumbing professional immediately to limit the damage and the cost of the repairs.
- Pests: This issue can relate to the inside and outside of your home. Rodents and bugs will quickly flock to any sewer line leak. When the leaks are inside your home, you could see a new infestation of bugs or signs of rodents. When the sewer line is leaking outside your home, you will also notice more bugs in the area and the common signs of rodent waste and digging near the leak.
There is also the possibility that your sewer line is leaking outside your home. When this happens, you will notice a very lush and green area in your lawn or the surrounding plant material. The leaking sewage acts as a natural fertilizer and increases the growth rate of any plants in the area. You might also notice a moist or boggy area and a foul smell from the sewage. At the first sign of a sewage leak in your yard, call (214) 388-4525. A Metroplex Leak & Line professional will arrive quickly, determine the problem, and provide you with as many cost-effective solutions as possible.
