A sewage problem is not something any homeowner wants to ignore. Left unaddressed, damage to the line can lead to unpleasant odors, slow drains, and even sewage seeping into the yard or backing up into your home. Recognizing the warning signs early can help prevent costly repairs and severe damage to your home. This article will explore signs you may have a sewer line issue and explain how we solve the problem.
1. Your Pipes Are Gurgling
Gurgling sounds from your pipes are an early warning sign of potential sewer line issues. While occasional gurgling is normal and typically just air escaping from the pipes, consistent or persistent gurgling suggests a blockage or obstruction within your plumbing system. When a pipe becomes clogged, an air pocket forms behind the obstruction. The next time water flows through, the air bubble bursts, causing the telltale gurgling sound.
2. Water Levels Fluctuate in Your Toilet Bowl
A lesser-known sign of sewer line issues is fluctuating water levels in your toilets. A partial blockage in the line can cause uneven drainage, creating negative pressure that pulls water out of the bowl or prevents it from refilling properly. In some cases, water may back up instead, causing the bowl to fill higher than normal. These fluctuations often occur alongside other signs of sewer line trouble, such as gurgling sounds or slow-draining sinks and showers.
3. You’re Experiencing Slow Water Drainage
Just like with any pipe blockage or clog, one of the first issues that many homeowners notice when there is a sewer line issue is slow draining sinks and showers. It’s important to note that a single sink or drain not working correctly may not indicate a sewer line problem. However, if you notice that several drains, such as the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower, and toilet, are draining slowly or not at all, it’s likely a sign that something is blocking the sewer line.
4. Your Yard Is Wet
If your yard always seems damp, even when it hasn’t rained recently, it could be a sign of a leaking sewer line. A damaged or clogged sewer line can cause wastewater to seep into the soil, creating persistently soggy areas. In some cases, you might also have patches of grass that are greener or lusher than the rest of the yard. This accelerated growth happens because sewage is a fertilizer, providing extra nutrients to the soil.
In more severe cases, you may see water pooling under the tires of your lawn mower as you cut the grass or notice muddy spots forming along walkways and driveways. These are clear signs that something is wrong under your yard, and you should contact a professional.
5. You’re Smelling the Distinct Odor of Sewage
A strong sewer-like smell in or around your home is a major warning sign of a sewer line issue. While occasional drain odors can result from minor plumbing issues, such as a clogged P-trap under your kitchen sink, persistent odors indicate a bigger issue.
Since sewer gas is heavier than air, the smell will be stronger on the first floor of your house and even more pungent in the basement. Outdoors, you may detect the smell in low-lying areas of your yard, especially on still days when there’s no wind to blow it away.
The Average Lifespan of a Sewer Line
The lifespan of your sewer line will depend on the construction and the type of pipes that the line uses. Orangeburg pipe, which was common between 1860 and 1970, will last 30 to 50 years. This has the shortest lifespan, and if you have these types of pipes, you will want to consider a replacement. Clay pipes last longer, with an average life of 50 to 60 years. This was an efficient piping method from 1970 to the early 1980s, but today, PVC pipes have become standard.
PVC pipes are much more durable, and they became the go-to for sewer pipes in the mid-1980s. This type of piping should easily last up to 100 years before your system requires repairs. If you live in an older home, then check to see what type of pipes your sewer line uses. If the pipes are suffering from cracks and leaks are occurring, then upgrading your sewer lines to PVC pipes could benefit your home.
Sewer Line Cleaning, Replacement, or Repair
When a sewer line is damaged or blocked, our plumbers use specialized techniques to diagnose and solve the issue. The approach depends on the severity of the damage or clog, the type of pipes, and the location of the problem. The process starts with a thorough inspection, often using video camera equipment to navigate the sewer line and identify blockages, cracks, or collapsed sections. This ensures the exact problem is pinpointed before any excavation or repair begins.
If a blockage is causing the issue, our plumber may use hydro jetting or auger-based drain cleaning to remove debris, tree roots, or hardened mineral deposits. Hydro jetting is particularly effective, as it uses high-pressure water to clear out the buildup without damaging the sewer line. During hydro jetting, our plumber will insert a specialized nozzle, called a jetting head, into the sewer line. The type of jetting head used will depend on the specific nature of the blockage. For instance, a root-cutting head with rotating blades is used to cut through tree roots that may have infiltrated the pipe. Alternatively, a penetrating nozzle is used to dislodge debris or hardened mineral buildup.
When pipes are cracked but still structurally sound, trenchless methods provide a non-invasive solution. One option is pipe lining, or cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) repair, where a flexible liner coated with resin is inserted into the damaged pipe and inflated. Once hardened, it forms a new, durable pipe inside the existing one, sealing cracks and leaks.
Another method, pipe bursting, is used when the existing pipe is severely damaged. In this process, our plumber uses a specialized bursting head to break apart the old pipe. As the bursting head moves through the line, it pulls a new, more durable pipe into place while simultaneously fracturing the old pipe into small pieces that are left in the surrounding soil. This method allows for the installation of a new pipe without the need for extensive digging, minimizing disruption to your yard or landscaping. Pipe bursting is especially useful for replacing older pipes, like those made from Orangeburg or clay, with newer materials, such as PVC, that are built to last.
In cases where your sewer line has collapsed, our team will have to excavate your lawn to remove the old pipe and install a new sewer line. While this method is more invasive, it ensures a long-lasting solution, especially when upgrading to modern PVC piping.
Contact a Dependable Plumber
At Prime Plumbing LLC, we have been serving the residents of Nampa, ID and the surrounding areas since 2017. We are expert plumbers who can handle any residential sewer line issues. Additionally, we provide drain cleaning, leak detection, and plumbing repair services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced plumbers.
