There are few different symptoms you can watch out for to learn if you have a broken sewer line. And, it’s important to get this fixed right away for health and safety measures. Read on to learn how to tell if you have a broken sewer line and what to do about it.
Having a broken sewer line on your property can be dangerous. If you suspect you have such a problem, take care of right away.
But other than the smell, how else can you tell if there’s something wrong with your sewer?
Here are six signs that mean your sewer line might be broken.
1) Smelly Pools in Your Yard
This is probably the most obvious sign. If you notice pools of septic waste in your yard, you’ve got a problem.
The pool can be caused be several different problems, including cracks in the main line, a broken septic tank or clogs in the drain fields.
Whatever the cause, the problem is most likely directly underneath the pool of sewage.
2) Frequently Clogged Drains
Clogged drains could mean there’s a blockage somewhere in your sewer line. If this is the case, your lowest drain or even multiple drains will usually be backed up.
What’s the difference between a normally clogged drain and a sewer blockage?
A clogged drain just affects that one drain. If there’s a backup when you run water down the sink, use the bathtub or flush the toilet, the problem is bigger than a single drain. Since all your drains rely on the sewer line for drainage, if they don’t drain, it’s the sewer line.
If you often get backups, your sewer line might be getting old and prone to damage.
And if you have a drain you can’t unclog with chemical drain cleaners, stop using them. Such chemicals can sit in your drain and deteriorate the pipes and fittings.
3) Mold Problems
Mold inside your house is a serious concern and can be caused by many different things.
So how do you know it’s a sewer problem?
Mold that stems from a sewer problem smells like it. If you have both a bad smell and mold in your house, it most likely comes from a broken sewer pipe behind the wall, ceiling or floor.
4) Sewer Smell
Even if you don’t see mold, sewer smell is bad. Sewers are designed to be airtight. You should never smell anything bad coming from your sewer. If you do, there’s a crack somewhere in your system.
5) Green Patches in Your Lawn
If parts of your lawn are much greener than other sections, there might be something wrong with the sewer line beneath them.
Sewage is a natural fertilizer. A nearby leak gives plants extra nutrients. This causes them to grow greener and seem healthier than more distant turf and plants.
6) Indentations in Your Yard
A sewer leak can cause the dirt around it to dissipate and create indentations. But this doesn’t happen only to your lawn. Even sections of pavement can sink because of sewer leaks.
What to Do About a Broken Sewer Line
If you notice any of these signs in or around your home, you likely have a sewer line problem. And because of the health and financial risks involved, get it addressed right away.
Need some help? Call (402) 731-2727
