Did you know that the median house price in the U.S. in the second quarter of this year was $410,800?
When spending six, seven, or even more figures on a home, you don’t want to see your investment go down the drain figuratively or literally. But that’s exactly what can happen if you allow sewer system issues to go undetected and unfixed for too long.
Your house’s sewer system is the most significant unsung system in your home. It operates behind the scenes—securely piping all the wastewater from your sinks, toilets, showers, and appliances out of your home.
However, when the unthinkable happens in this underground system, it can become a smelly, eye-watering, and expensive nightmare in an instant. Early detection of sewer issues can save you thousands of dollars—if you fix the problems immediately.
Here are five signs your home sewer system has issues—and what to do about it.
1. Slow Draining Fixtures
The first sign you have a sewer system issue is when multiple fixtures start draining slowly. When a single drain is slow-draining, the issue may be a clog in the drain line. But if you notice the issue impacting multiple drains, it might be a main sewer line issue.
In other instances, you might also hear gurgling noises from your drains or toilets when there is air in the pipes as a result of the blocked sewer line.
Never attempt to use chemical drain cleaners alone, since doing so can destroy your pipes in the long run. It’s best to hire a company specializing in sewer line repair and replacement so that the problem can be professionally diagnosed and fixed.
2. Clogged or Repeat Backups
Do your toilets or drains back up more frequently than in the past, even after being plunged or snaked? Frequent backups, particularly in the lowest home drains, can indicate a serious sewer main problem.
A clogged pipe can lead to sewage flowing into your house. It goes without saying that no one wants raw sewage backing up into their interior space. That can be a health concern and cost a small fortune to remedy.
3. Unpleasant Odors Indoors or Outdoors
Sewer systems are designed to keep wastewater—and the smell of it—away from your home. So, if you’re catching whiffs of sewage inside your house or around your yard, that’s a major red flag.
If your lawn is suspiciously green in spots and smells awful, wastewater could be fertilizing your lawn.
Check for dry drain traps (especially under less-used fixtures), and try to fill them with water to lock in odors. If odors still won’t go away, get a professional sewer inspection.
4. Green Stains or Sinkholes in Your Yard
If a part of your lawn appears to have gotten greener or lusher than the rest of your lawn overnight, it is perhaps more than a coincidence. It might suggest there’s a busted sewer pipe. It might be hard to believe, but sewage is full of nutrients that can fertilize your lawn. It’s also the sort of fertilizer you don’t want to deal with.
Conversely, when the ground covering your sewer pipe becomes soft and spongy or starts to sag, a damaged pipe can be tearing through the surrounding soil. Sinkholes or depressions can occur in such instances.
Don’t overlook uneven terrain, very soggy areas, or puddles on your lawn. All three can be signs of a leak underground. A plumber can locate it using a pressure test or video inspection.
5. Water Damage, Mold, or Mildew in the Basement
Water damage in the basement is not always the result of rain or a foundation issue. Basement dampness is often a sewer line issue.
If you’re seeing signs of mold, dampness, or water stains—especially near floor drains, utility sinks, or basement bathrooms—there could be a slow leak or backup issue connected to your sewer system. You’ll want to get an expert’s professional opinion.
Cutting corners on maintenance will cost you. Sewer line service, especially emergency service, is not inexpensive. But timely service will provide you with more alternatives that are less invasive and less expensive than if issues morph into full-scale problems.
If you’re noticing any of these signs, don’t delay. Sewer problems rarely fix themselves and almost always get worse over time. It pays to consult a professional. After all, you don’t want to see your real estate investment diminish in value unnecessarily.
