Signs That You Need Sewer Line Repair

Living in an area that provides municipal sewer service is an advantage for many homeowners, since you don’t have to worry about maintaining a septic tank on your own. If you have municipal sewer service, typically you are responsible for the sewer lines from your home to where they connect at the street. The city usually handles the maintenance and repair of the lines from the street to the end point of the sewer system.

If you are experiencing troubles with your sewer system, it may be your responsibility to take care of the repairs if the problem occurs between the street and your home. There are several issues that can cause sewer line problems. One of the most common sewer lines problems is the growth of roots from trees or bushes into the sewer line, which can clog the lines. Another culprit is waste that gets flushed down the toilet and creates a clog. In other cases, there may not be a clog at all; the pipes can just break due to old age.

If you suspect that there is a problem somewhere in your sewer line, it is best to address the issue right away. Doing so can help to prevent the issue from escalating and creating more serious, more costly problem. Unfortunately, dealing with plumbing issues like sewer line repair is one of the hard truths of home ownership. Here are some common signs that you need sewer line repair.

Varying Water Levels in the Toilet Bowl

One surprising indication of problems with your sewer line is the water level in your toilet bowl. If the water level in the toilet seems to be normal at some times, and overly full or overly empty at other times, this is actually a sign of a sewer line problem. A clog in the sewer line can cause this fluctuation in the water level. If you notice this happening in your home, call a plumber to come out and perform an inspection right away.

Fixtures That Drain Slowly

If your sink or shower drain (or both) seems to be emptying more slowly than it should, it may be an indication of a sewer line problem. When a drain is emptying slowly, many homeowners are tempted to use a chemical drain cleaner to clear out the line. However, these chemical agents can damage older pipes, and they introduce dangerous chemicals to the water supply. At best, a chemical drain cleaner is a temporary solution to the problem. Rather than using this questionable repair method, make a call to a plumber for professional assistance in clearing the drain and removing clogs.

Unwelcome Visitors in Your Yard

A broken sewer line can attract rodents, like rats and mice, as well as insects. If you are suddenly noticing unwelcome visitors in your yard, it could be time to call a plumber to identify the underlying problem.

Telltale Stink of Sewage

One fairly obvious sign of a sewer line problem is the smell of sewage permeating your yard or home. You might smell sewage in the bathroom, basement, or in a sinkhole in your backyard. If you notice a sewage odor coming from anywhere in your home or yard, call a plumber right away.

If you suspect that you might have a sewer line problem at your home, call Scott English Plumbing to perform sewer line repair right away. At Scott English Plumbing, we handle sewer line repair in addition to many other plumbing issues, and we are available to deal with plumbing emergencies around the clock. Give us a call for assistance today.