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How Can You Tell If Your Sewer Line Is in Trouble?

Monday, July 23rd, 2018 at 11:00 am

white question mark on a blue backgroundWhile you probably don’t think very much about it, your home’s sewer line is a vital part of your plumbing system, hygienically removing wastewater from the plumbing in your home and transferring it to the city’s sewer system. Your sewer line is most likely buried beneath your yard and property, which keeps it safe from damage and wear from the weather.

Unfortunately, when trouble does arise, it requires a professional plumber in Yelm to manage. But fortunately, we have the most up-to-date equipment and training to handle the job with ease. We’re able to fairly easily access your sewer line, repair leaks, clean out clogs, and manage any other problems without even needing to excavate the pipe.

The Signs of Sewer Line Problems

Of course, in order to know when to call a plumber for your sewer line problems, you have to know you have a problem, right? Of course, we discourage you from trying to formally diagnose a sewer line problem on your own. But you can certainly spot the common signs of a problem. When this occurs, it’s time to call in a pro for repairs. These signs include:

Puddles in Your Yard: Sewer line leakage can come up through the surface of your lawn and create puddles. In the absence of any other cause (like a broken sprinkler head or recent heavy rains) a sewer line leak is a definite possibility.

Excess Greenery: This isn’t the most pleasant thing to think about for most people, but a sewer line leak basically fertilizes your lawn and your plants. Trees growth can even overtake a sewer line leak, with the roots seeking out any water it can find. As a result, you’ll probably notice some vegetation in your yard that is greener than others.

Slow Drainage: If a single drain is backed up in your home, then the problem is very likely with that singular pipe. If, however, the backup is affecting multiple drains in your home, you’re probably looking at a sewer line stoppage.

Mold and Bacteria Growth: Leaks in your sewer line can lead to an explosion of mold growth and bacteria in your home and on your property. This is never a good sign, regardless of the cause, but a qualified plumber can typically track down any plumbing-based cause pretty easily.

Running Water: If you hear water running but don’t have any taps on or plumbing appliances running, then there could very well be a hidden plumbing leak. If you hear it outside your home, it may very well be a sewer line leak.

Foul Odors: We probably don’t need to emphasize the presence of gasses and similar odorous components traveling through your sewer line. In the event of a problem, you’ll likely pick up on these types of odors—you should never ignore them or assume they’re from some other source. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Sinkholes and Divots: If the ground surrounding your sewer line is saturated with leaking fluid, then it can easily shift, which will result in divots and sinkholes in your lawn. You never want to leave this untreated as it can be potentially dangerous, so be sure to call in a pro at the very first sign of this problem.

For quality plumbing repairs, contact Brooks Plumbing Co. today!

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