No homeowner wants to deal with a collapsed sewer line. Not only are they a great inconvenience, but they can also cause damage to your house, and create terrible odors. Before you can deal with a collapsed sewer line, you first have to determine that you even have one at all. That’s why, today, we’ll be letting you know how to tell that you have a broken or collapsed sewer line.
There’s Sewage Backup in Your Drains
If sewage is clogging up your drains, a damaged sewer line is oftentimes going to be the source of the problem. Since broken sewer lines aren’t capable of draining, all of the sewage ends up backing up into the lower-level drains in your house. Since the lower-level drains are the ones that are affected, you’ll end up seeing sewage backup on the lower levels of your home first, including basements. With that said, there are other signs that you’ll likely notice before sewage becomes visible, such as…
Unusual Noises or Smells
If you have a broken or collapsed sewer line, you’ll likely notice unusual smells or sounds around the house. As far as sounds go, you’ll probably hear gurgling noises that come from your drains. This is because water is having a difficult time trying to get through your home’s pipes. Regarding unusual odors, this can happen because, when your sewer lines are damaged, sewage and wastewater ends up sitting in your pipes instead of draining properly.
Sinks and Showers Drain More Slowly
Another sign of issues with your sewer line is when sinks and showers don’t drain very quickly. The reason your sinks and showers aren’t draining quickly is likely due to clogging in your pipes. It’s possible that the clog is in an accessible spot in your main drain line rather than your sewer line, but you still want to be cautious, especially if you have clogs in multiple areas throughout your house. The more drains that are clogged, the more likely it is that you have a sewer line problem.
For Sewer Line Repairs, Call Master Plumbing
Give Master Plumbing a call at (301) 650-9100, or contact us online to get more information on how our expert plumbers can help you with just about anything plumbing-related! We have received Angie’s List Super Service Award recognition for plumbing and drain cleaning every year since 2007, in addition to the Best Plumber award from Best of Bethesda. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and our service is unparalleled. Give us a call today—you won’t regret it! To see examples of our projects, follow us on Facebook and Twitter!