4 Signs Your Main Sewer Line Needs Immediate Repair

Plumbing problems are something most homeowners encounter at least once in their stay at their house. The problem could be anything from a leaky faucet to frozen pipes. But if there’s an issue you’d always want to avoid, that’s a broken sewer line. Despite sewer lines being practically out of sight most of the time, a broken one can cause a series of headaches like flooding and contaminated groundwater. 

Don’t ignore your sewer line and call a plumber in Lakeport when things are already out of hand. The following are signs that your sewer line is damaged, so you can have it repaired before it’s too late.

Sewage Backups and Blockages

A sewer backup or blockage can happen at any time, and it’s usually because there’s obstruction or damage to your sewer line. If you happen to notice sewage backups every time you flush the toilet, then it’s time to call a maintenance specialist to have it checked. All of your home’s drains rely on the sewer, and it could be the cause of the backup. Blockages in more than one drain are a good indication that your main sewer line has a blockage. This needs to be repaired immediately before your sewer pipes burst or get damaged in the process.

Sewer Gas Odor

Smelling sewer gas in or around your home is never a good thing. Apart from the bad smell, it could possibly be an indication that there’s a crack somewhere in your sewer system. A well-maintained and sanitary sewer should be airtight at all times except on the vent stacks on your roof. If you happen to smell something terrible coming from other parts of your sewer line, then it’s probably damaged already.

Mold Problem

As many homeowners know, molds tend to thrive in damp areas, which is why you should always check for these around your house. If you happen to notice puddles or marks on your walls where mold has settled, then finding the source should be your priority. Chances are, it may be a leak in your pipes, or worse, the sewer line behind your walls. Considering that, a cracked sewer pipe behind a wall can cause humidity levels to rise, making it the perfect environment for mold growth. It should then be followed by a nasty sewer smell. Call a plumber in Clearlake as soon as possible and have it repaired to stop the mold growth.

Slow Drain

Do you ever notice the water in your shower drains really slowly? If that happens, check all the other drains if the same thing happens. A slow drain may be a symptom that a blockage is forming that could eventually lead to a sewage backup. If you’ve already tried cleaning the drains and clearing them out, but the problem is still there, then a sewage backup might be behind it. This could be caused by tree root intrusion on your main sewer line or maybe channeling or a crack on the pipes. It’s best to have a professional assess the damage to know what to do next.

Conclusion

Many homeowners try to fix their plumbing problems on their own. While some issues are easy enough to DIY, a damaged sewer line is something that is best left to a professional. These signs that your sewer pipes are damaged should be taken seriously and reported to your local plumbing experts as soon as possible.

Clogged or leaky pipes? Cracked sewer lines? Whatever plumbing problems you have, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is here to solve them all. Our friendly local plumbers in Willits, Ukiah, Clearlake, Middletown, and Lakeport are all ready to serve you. Contact us to request emergency repairs.