Dealing with a dysfunctional plumbing system can perhaps be every homeowner’s nightmare, especially since it can amount to thousands of dollars in repair. Your house’s plumbing system functions beyond just the pipes present inside the foundations—it connects directly to the main sewer line, where all the waste flows into.
While most major plumbing problems occur on the main sewer line, it’s best to avoid them from happening altogether. Unfortunately, damaged sewer lines result in busted pipes and bathrooms flooded with sewage water.
Identifying issues with your main sewer system can be difficult to determine—plumbing systems are complicated enough as it is, and some problems can be impossible to detect. Pipes are underground after all, so without professional plumbers, you’ll risk ending up with costly repairs due to extensive damage.
Fortunately, there are warning signs you can watch out for. Here are the four unmistakable signs of a damaged sewer system:
1 – Unusual clogged drains
Clogged drains often only need quick fixes. It can happen to your shower, kitchen sink, and toilet, but a little DIY solution can set things straight in no time. If clogs become recurring with unusual patterns, especially when it happens to multiple pipe drains, this could mean trouble.
Sewer water may be slowly making its way throughout your home, which is a telltale sign of a broken sewer system.
2 – Mysterious muddy spots in the yard
A break or collapse is usually the main culprit of a leaking sewer line, but experts suggest that leaks are often caused by tree roots penetrating pipe systems.
These leaks are even more difficult to detect, especially since they’re buried deep underground. Fortunately, water travels even in the toughest areas. As such, a muddy spot in the garden, especially during the summer heat, could be a sign of a damaged sewer pipe.
3 – The presence of unpleasant odors
Plumbing problems can’t always be readily seen – sometimes, they can be smelled. The smell of sewage isn’t pleasant in any way. If your place, especially your yard area, is filled with this awful stench, it’s most likely due to a clog in the sewer line. Sewer line clogs can cause the sewage to back up and overflow or leak, causing the pungent odor to go back up to the drains as well.
4 – Sudden appearance of cracks in the foundation
Sewer line leaks are hard to detect because unlike pressurized supply pipes that blast or overflow with water when damaged, sewer line damages aren’t readily apparent. The leaks can erode the soil around it and cause the ground to move slowly, sometimes leaving cracks in concrete foundations.
The Bottom Line
Plumbing issues, regardless of nature, can be a major inconvenience to your daily life. It disrupts your home in more ways than one, as well as force you to shell out more money than reasonable.
While some plumbing issues can be fixed on your own, damages to the main sewer system need to be addressed by professionals. They hold the knowledge, expertise, and equipment to get the job done right.
For drain repair in Santa Clarita, our specialists at Santa Clarita Rooter can easily assess the situation and perform necessary solutions. To avoid such occurrences, call us as soon as possible!
