Signs of Main Sewer Line Issues: Backups, Odors, Mold

There are a number of plumbing issues no homeowner ever wants to deal with, and at or near the top of any such list is issues with the main sewer line. This line, which serves as a collection point for all your drains and funnels them into your city's sewer system, is one of the most costly and time-consuming to replace or repair when issues take place. 

At Neighborly Plumbing & Services, we're happy to offer a wide range of sewer line repair services to those who are dealing with these kinds of problems, including affordable solutions that even feature camera inspections to determine the full extent of the concerns taking place. In many cases, our clients themselves can play an important role here: Spotting the signs that the main sewer line may be struggling, allowing our plumbers to address the issue as quickly as possible and avoid the more expensive realm of repairs or replacement. This two-part blog series will go over several signs that your main sewer line is dealing with problems, plus what you should do when you notice them.

Frequent Sewage Backups or Blockages

If you have the occasional blockage of a toilet or drain, especially if there's a readily-available explanation for it, this isn't a big concern. However, if such issues are becoming more frequent and you can't pinpoint a reason, it may be time to take note. Each blockage or backup is its own sign of trouble, so if there's been two in the past month, three the following month and four the month after that, this should be taken as a strong indication that something is wrong, likely in the main sewer line -- especially if the issues take place at various toilets and not the same one over and over.

Foul Odors

If you're regularly noticing a poor smell whenever you're near the drain areas of your home, this is definitely a sign that something is wrong. If you can't find any reason for such odors (and even if you do and it's still there) this may be an indication that sewage gasses are taking place in these areas and finding their way into your home.

Mold

Mold may show up for a few different reasons, and one of these may be that there's sewer gas problems. This is because mold spores are one of the most common carriers for sewer gasses, so whenever these occur they may start to take hold and show up in your home if the drainage system isn't working as it should. While mold could also be due to other issues, if no such explanations are available, the sewer line could be the culprit.

Lush Grass Patches

Have you noticed that one patch of your lawn looks much greener and more lush than other sections? Despite the good aesthetics, this is often a problem -- it's a sign that sewage from your main sewer line is likely draining its contents onto a specific part of your yard, and this will only continue unless you take steps to stop it.

For more on the indicators that you might have a main sewer line issue, or to learn about any of our plumbing or drain cleaning services, speak to the staff at Neighborly Plumbing & Services today.