There are always some tell-tale signs when your sewer pipes are malfunctioning. First of all, there is usually an unmistakable odor. If your waste material is not completing the trip from your home to the city sewer line, it will cause an odor to back up into your home. The lowest level of drains will be the most distinct areas of odor; usually the basement drains, if you have one. Secondly, you may begin to have sewer back up into your plumbing fixtures, causing more odor and problems. The question is now, is it a broken pipe or just a clogged or blocked sewer line?
Determining Breaks Versus Blockages
Unfortunately, there is no simple way to find out whether you are dealing with a broken or clogged sewer pipe. Most sewer line issues happen below ground, making it hard to diagnose them on your own. However, if you have a broken pipe which is leaking sewer water into the ground, you may notice wet areas in your lawn, collapsing soil or even an odor outside. Be aware, however, that just because there are not any visible signs or odors does not mean it is only a clog.
At the first sign of a sewer line malfunction, the best course of action is to call your local sewer repair company. They will be able to diagnosis the problem, usually by either attempting to remove any clogs or by first performing a camera inspection using a video camera to inspect your sewer lines. Whatever the problem is, you will need it resolved immediately before further damage occurs, so it is best to get a professional involved as soon as possible.
Posted on behalf of Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
