5 Warning Signs Your Sewer Line Is Trying to Tell You Something

Your sewer line probably isn’t something you think about very often.

That’s a good thing.

When it’s working properly, you flush the toilet, run the dishwasher, take a shower and do the laundry without giving much thought to where all that water goes.

But when something starts going wrong, your house will often give you clues.

The trick is knowing what to look, and listen, for.

Here are five warning signs that could mean it’s time to find out what’s happening underground.

 

  1. Your Drains Keep Running Slowly

One slow drain may simply mean there’s a clog near that particular fixture.

But several slow drains throughout the house can point to a problem farther down the system.

Pay particular attention when a problem keeps coming back after you’ve seemingly fixed it.

Recurring problems deserve a closer look.

 

  1. Your Toilet Is Talking to You

Does your toilet gurgle when you run the sink?

Does water move unexpectedly in another drain when the washing machine empties?

Your plumbing fixtures are connected, so strange noises or reactions between them can sometimes indicate that water or air isn’t moving through the system the way it should.

Your toilet isn’t making conversation.

But it may be trying to tell you something.

 

  1. You’re Smelling Something You Shouldn’t

Sewer odors inside or around your home shouldn’t simply become something you learn to live with.

Sometimes an odor has a simple explanation. Other times, it can point to a larger sewer or septic issue.

If the smell is persistent or you’re unsure where it’s coming from, it’s worth investigating.

 

  1. The Same Clog Keeps Coming Back

You’ve plunged it.

You’ve snaked it.

Everything works again… until it doesn’t.

A clog that repeatedly returns may be a symptom rather than the actual problem.

Grease and buildup, tree roots, damaged lines and other issues can cause recurring trouble. In those situations, repeatedly clearing the immediate blockage may not address what’s causing it.

 

  1. You Have a Backup

If wastewater is coming back through a floor drain, tub, shower or toilet, the system isn’t just dropping hints anymore.

It’s telling you there’s a problem.

A sewer backup can cause significant damage and create an unpleasant mess, so it’s something that should be addressed quickly.

 

So, What’s Actually Going On Down There?

That’s the important question.

Today’s equipment can take much of the guesswork out of sewer problems.

Video camera inspections allow professionals to actually see inside a sewer line and identify issues such as roots, buildup, damaged pipe or other obstructions.

Once you know what’s causing the problem, you can determine the right way to address it instead of repeatedly treating the symptoms.

Pete Howe Sanitation has been helping homeowners and businesses solve sewer and septic problems since 1939.

So, the next time your drains start moving slowly, your toilet starts gurgling or that same clog makes another appearance, don’t just ask: “How do I make this go away?”

Ask: “Why does this keep happening?”

Pete Howe Sanitation can help you find out what’s going on down there.