First Signs of a Broken Sewer Line

Most sewer lines that transport your waste from your home to your septic tank or main city sewer line are located a few feet underground. When these pipes corrode at the joints, crack or sustain damage, you may not know right away that there is a problem. However, there will be signs that are bound to appear to alert you that you have an issue with your plumbing waste system. Here are some of the first signs that you may have a broken sewer line at your home.

Several Drains are Slow or Backed Up

If the sewer line break is causing a blockage for your waste, you may notice that several drains in your home are backing up or slower to drain. This does not always occur with sewer line breaks; it depends on whether there is a blockage or not. Drains closest to the main sewer line are the most likely to be slow or back up.

Wet Spots or Odor in Your Yard

If there are areas in your yard that are wetter than the rest of the lawn near where your sewer line runs, you may have a leak. There also could be a sewage odor that alerts you to a definite problem with your sewer pipe.

Soil Erosion

In many cases, a sewer line break starts with a small crack and becomes worse. A slow leak could have occurred for weeks, even months. Soil above the pipe can begin to erode, letting you know there is a problem below.

If you see signs of a broken sewer line, call your local sewer or septic company right away. They can inspect your sewer line and locate the point of the problem. Fixing the pipe can prevent further backups and damage to your property.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Sewer Line Repair: Is it Your Responsibility or the Utility Company?

There is a problem in your sewer line between your home and the main sewer line. The question is, are you responsible for repairing the issue or is your utility company liable for repairs? While every situation is different, there are some standard practices that can help you determine who will foot the bill for the repair. Here are some tips about sewer line repairs.

  • Where is the damage located? One of the first things that will decide who will need to pay for the repair is where the damage is located. In general, most utility and municipalities hold the property owner responsible for repairing any damage to the sewer line on their property and even under the easement area. Only if the damage is at the connection to the main line will it possibly be covered by the utility company.
  • What caused the damage? Did a tree root from your property penetrate the sewer line? Or did it get damaged because a heavy vehicle drove over the top of it. The cause of the damage can also be a determining factor in who pays to have it repaired.
  • Do you have homeowner’s insurance that will cover the damage? In most cases, sewer line issues are the responsibility of the property owner. However, there are homeowner insurance policies that do cover certain sewer line repairs. It is always prudent to call your insurance company to see if it is covered under your policy.

To find out whether you are responsible for the repair, you will need to have a professional sewer service inspect your sewer line. They can explain where the damage is and what caused the issue. Make sure you hire a company that is licensed to repair lateral or side sewer lines in your municipality.

Posted on behalf of:
A-Flo Free Septic
Lawrenceville, GA
(770) 927-7926

Sewer Line Problems

No one wants to think about dealing with a clogged or backed up sewer line at their home. It can not only be an extreme inconvenience and an unexpected repair cost, it can cause expensive damage to your home. The best way to mitigate sewer line problems to reduce expense and damage is to know the first sign of a problem. If you notice any of these initial signs, calling in a professional right away can reduce the inconvenience and damage a sewer line problem can cause.

  • Slow drains. One of signs of a major sewer line problem is slower draining inside your home. If a clog is forming in one of your main sewer pipes, you may notice sinks, showers and toilets are not draining as quickly as usual.
  • Odors. If you start noticing a foul odor around drains in your home or outside where sewer pipes run under the ground, there is probably a sewer line problem. It may be a clog forming or even a burst pipe that is seeping sewage into your yard.
  • Wet areas in your yard. Another sign of sewer line problems is wet areas in your yard or areas where the grass is greener than other areas. A cracked or burst sewer or water line can be leaking water or sewage underground, adding moisture to that area.

If you notice any of these signs, call your local sewer or septic service company to inspect your sewer lines. Most quality service companies offer digital camera inspections that can inspect your sewer lines from the inside to find any clogs or sewer line problems before they cause an expensive and inconvenient sewer backup.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221