Do I Have a Sewer Line Problem? 7 Warning Signs

Sewer line problems can be messy and disgusting, but they’re not always easy to spot early on. That’s why it’s important to know what types of issues could be signs that you have a problem on your hands before it becomes worse than it already is.

Signs You Might Have a Sewer Line Problem 

Tree roots, corrosion, and a host of other issues can affect the pipes that run from your house to the main sewer line. And it’s not just your toilets that drain to this. It’s also your shower, bathtub, sink, and appliances that use water. You need to be on the lookout for potential problems and get them fixed as quickly as possible because they will only get worse.

Here are the top seven warning signs of a sewer line problem, explained:

• There are gurgling noises coming from your toilet: If your toilet makes a strange gurgling sound when you flush it, or you notice this sound coming from your toilet when you’re running your dishwasher or another appliance, this could be a sign of a sewer line problem.
• You’ve noticed a sudden increase in your water bill: If your water bill has gone up, but you haven’t changed anything that would affect your water use, you could have a water leak—or it could be an issue with your sewer line.
• You’re experiencing frequent, unexplained clogs: If your sink, toilet, or bathtub are clogging frequently and you can’t find the reason why, they might not be clogging at all. It might be a problem with your sewer line. All drains are connected to the sewer system, and an issue with the sewer line could cause these fake clogs.
• More than one drain or toilet is draining slowly: Are you noticing that the sink and toilet in your bathroom are draining slowly, at the same time? Is the same issue affecting your kitchen sink and your guest bathroom? Slow draining in multiple areas of your home could mean that you have a problem further down the line—in the sewer system.
• Your toilets are backing up frequently: Because your toilets drain into your sewer line, constant backups could mean that there’s a problem with the valve that is supposed to keep the city’s sewer system water out of your home.
• Certain patches of grass in your yard are much greener than others: An underground sewer line leak in your yard can cause the grass in that area to grow thicker and greener than in other areas. This extra fertilizer is great for your grass, but not so great for your property.
• There are unpleasant smells coming from your yard or basement: If you can smell sewage, you’ve probably got a serious leak on your hands. A sewer line may have ruptured, and you’ll need to get a plumber out to your property right away to get it fixed. Don’t try to fix it yourself, and keep your kids and pets away from the area.

What’s Causing Your Sewer Line Problem?

It’s important to know what’s causing your sewer line issues, so it can be fixed. At JD Service Now, we have a lot of experience with these matters, and we have the tools and equipment to locate the source of the problem—and fix it.

The following are examples of what can cause a sewer line problem:

• There could be a leak caused by pipe corrosion.
• A pipe has been fractured from a sudden shift in the ground.
• Plant or tree roots have grown into and damaged your sewer lines.
• People in your household are putting drain-clogging substances like oil or fat down the drain.
• A faulty valve is causing the main sewer system to leak into yours.

Schedule Sewer Line Repairs With JD Service Now

Our plumbing services are affordable and performed by skilled technicians who care about your satisfaction, comfort, and safety.

For fast and reliable sewer line repairs in Durham, Apex, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, or the surrounding areas, contact us today.