The Most Common Sewer Issues Homeowners Face

Dealing with sewer problems is one of the most common and frustrating challenges for homeowners. If left unresolved, they can be costly and affect your day-to-day life, making them both expensive and inconvenient.

Learning the warning signs, causes, and repair options for these problems can keep your home’s plumbing functioning correctly. You’ll be better prepared to address the warning signs and catch problems before they become worse. We’ll break it down so you know what to look for and how to respond to common sewer problems.

Why Sewer Issues Should Be a Top Concern

Just because you can’t see sewer problems doesn’t mean they can be ignored. Sewer problems can turn serious quickly.

Financial Costs

Replacing a sewer line is not cheap. The average homeowner pays between $3,000-$10,000 for a full sewer line replacement based on the level of damage. Unfortunately, most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover sewer line repairs unless you’ve added specific sewer coverage. Because sewer issues are often treated as maintenance problems, the responsibility—and cost—falls on the homeowner.

Health Hazards 

Sewer problems are more than just gross—they’re dangerous. A sewer line back up puts your home at risk of raw sewage, which can contain harmful bacteria and viruses. At the very least, the foul smell from a sewer line backup is unpleasant. Even worse, the foul smell from a sewer backup can harm your home’s air quality and potentially make you sick if the issue isn’t resolved.

Property Damage 

Sewer issues are not just underground. They will move out into your lawn, your foundation, and finally your home. Water pooling in your lawn, cracks in your driveway, or sinkholes can all be a result of a failing sewer system. The longer you wait, the more damage it will do.

Early Warning Signs 

Your home will often give you indicators that you have sewer problems, if you know what to look for.

Slow Drains

Have you noticed a sink or tub draining slower than usual? While moderately annoying and inconvenient, slow drains can be a first indicator of a clogged sewer line. If one drain is slow, it might not be a big deal. But if multiple drains are slow, that’s a major red flag.

Gurgling Sounds

Do your toilets or drains make strange gurgling noises?  That’s air trapped in the pipes trying to get out.  While it can be an extremely annoying sound, it is not normal for plumbing and if there is air trapped in the pipes that is usually indicative of a blockage.

Sewage Smells

It’s hard to miss the smell of sewage. If you smell sewage inside your home or when you’re outside in your yard, it’s time to begin taking action. That smell is a direct indicator that your waste is not flowing like normal.

Water Where It Shouldn’t Be

Keep an eye on your yard. If you notice pools of water or unusually green patches of grass in your yard, it could mean sewage is leaking underground. Not something that can be ignored.

Understanding Common Sewer Problems

Now that you’re aware of the warning signs let’s take a closer look at the most common sewer problems and their causes.

1. Clogged Sewer Lines

Blockages from grease, paper towels, sanitary products and other debris are notorious for clogging sewer lines. Even food waste and “flushable” wipes (they are not flushable, no matter what the package says) can create tough blockages.

2. Tree Root Intrusion

If you have trees in your yard, their roots are likely looking for water. And your sewer line is basically an endless supply of water. Tree roots can enter hairline cracks in your plumbing, then expand until they block the line entirely.

3. Pipe Corrosion

Many older homes have pipes made of metal or clay, both of which degrade over time. Metal pipes are vulnerable to corrosion, while clay pipes can crack or break apart. As these pipes deteriorate, they’re more likely to clog or collapse.

4. Sewer Line Bellies

A belly in a sewer line is a slope or sag of pipe, creating a low point for water and waste to get stuck in and collect up over time.  Eventually this flow of water and waste can create clogs and blockages in your drainage system.  Most often, the belly in the pipe is created from the soil under the pipes settling, but can also be caused by improper installation.

5. Misaligned or Collapsed Pipes

Sewer pipes can become misaligned or completely collapse due to shifting soil, seismic activity or poor installation. When this happens, all waste has nowhere to go and is instead going to come back up into your floor or basement.

Identifying Sewer Line Problems

Don’t panic if you suspect you have a sewer problem, and you aren’t exactly sure what’s going wrong with it. There are professionals who have tools to diagnose the problem without digging up your yard.

Sewer Camera Inspections

A plumber takes a small waterproof camera, inserts it into your sewer line and assesses whether there are any cracks, blockages, or tree roots.  The key advantages of camera inspections, is that they are quick, precise and allow for an accurate assessment without having to dig up a large area.

Smoke Testing

Another method is smoke testing.  A plumber will insert non-toxic smoke into your sewer line and assess where the smoke escapes cracks and holes in your sewer line.  Smoke testing can be effective for leak location, especially when accessing difficult to reach locations.

Preventing Sewer Problems

Here’s the good news: Most sewer problems can be fixed, and most of them can be prevented.

Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance is the best way to protect against sewer problems. Get annual inspections, clean your drains regularly and watch what you are flushing or pouring down the sink.

Tree Root Management

If tree roots are an issue, hire a professional to remove them. You can also install root barriers or use chemical treatments to keep roots away from your sewer line.

Trenchless Repairs

If your sewer line is in need of significant repairs, you may want to consider trenchless methods such as pipe lining and pipe bursting. Both methods are faster, less disruptive, and often cheaper than the traditional way of digging.

Replacing Old Pipes

Do you have clay or metal pipes?  By replacing them with modern materials like PVC, you will minimize the possibility of sewer issues later on.  PVC is very durable, resistant to rust and designed to last for decades.

When to Call a Professional

If you are experiencing regular clogs, slow drains occurring at the same time or worse, the pool of sewage you are now seeing in your yard, it’s time to call the experts.  A professional plumber has the tools, experience, and expertise to diagnose the problem and fix it before it escalates into a bigger (and more expensive) problem.

Conclusion

Sewer problems aren’t fun to deal with, but ignoring them isn’t an option. By watching for warning signs, staying on top of regular maintenance, and calling in a professional when needed, you can save yourself a lot of stress and expense in the long run.