Your main sewer line can perform for years without any problems. Waste flows through it and to your septic tank or city sewer line, out of sight and out of mind. But those underground pipes can break or get clogged, causing a sewer line emergency. Both situations require a sewer line service, but may have different signs of trouble. Here are the differences, and similarities, between the two.
Cracked Sewer Line
A cracked or broken sewer line often occurs at a joint in a pipe. Tree roots are common culprits of creating a break, forcing their way into the joint crevices to access the water inside. If you have a cracked sewer line, some of the signs of the problem may be:
- Wet spot in your yard
- Greener grass in that area
- Sewage smell in your yard
- Sewage backups- this occurs when the broken pipe becomes blocked
- Soil erosion or soft spots in your yard
Clogged Sewer Line
Clogs can occur from an accumulation of sludge and waste debris that adheres inside your sewer line. Tree roots can also be a catalyst to clogs. Some of the signs your sewer line is forming a clog or is completely clogged:
- Slow drains in many sinks, showers and toilets simultaneously
- Sewage backup in the drains closest to the main sewer line
- Sewage odor coming from the drains in your home
When you see signs of a sewer line problem, call your local sewer or septic service. They can identify whether it is a clogged or cracked sewer line using a digital camera pipe inspection and fix the issue before it causes more problems in your home.
Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441
