While your home’s sewer line is one of the most vital aspects of your plumbing system, it is also one of the most overlooked. That is, until the sewer line breaks. When this happens, it becomes the most important part of your system, and needs to be fixed immediately. Otherwise, you will be experiencing many unpleasant and inconvenient side effects of this problem. If you want to know exactly what to expect with a broken sewer line, look for these signs that something is seriously wrong.
Strong Odors
While your sewer line may be out of sight, the strong odors that come when it breaks will be right under your nose. Whether you are inside or outside your home, smelling very strong foul odors is a big clue your sewer line is broken.
Blockages or Backups
If you have recently started experiencing blockages or backups in your toilet or bathtub, this can be a sign of a broken sewer line. In many instances, sewer line issues tend to affect drain openings. As a general rule in plumbing, if you are only having problems with one particular drain, chances are it’s just an isolated problem with that drain. However, if you are having problems with multiple drains in your home, the sewer line should be checked.
Gurgling Toilet
When you flush your toilet, you don’t want to hear any strange noises, especially ones that sound as if your toilet is gurgling. If gurgling noises are emitted from your toilet with each flush, it’s a strong indication of a broken sewer line. Since the gurgling results from air that is trapped and then released, this probably means your sewer line is filled with water.
Yard Waste
Even if your home is connected to a septic tank, this can still mean you can experience a broken sewer line. Unfortunately, a broken sewer line in these situations means waste can begin to accumulate in your yard. If you notice this, don’t hesitate to contact a plumber as soon as possible.
Foundation Cracks
Finally, if your home has very large and visible cracks in its foundation, this can indicate a broken sewer line. If left unchecked, the problem can worsen and even lead to the formation of sinkholes in your yard.
Now that you know what to look for that may indicate a broken sewer line, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced plumber should you begin to notice any one or a combination of these problems.