As you most likely know already, your home’s sewer drain plays quite a critical role in carrying wastewater safely away from your actual property. And, most of the system is, clearly, underground and out of sight, which is a good thing. But, the fact that most of the system is out of sight also means that some problems may develop quite slowly and without any kinds of obvious warnings, all up until a major backup occurs and you realize that you have an emergency on your hands.
Clearly, sewer clogs and drainage issues can be extremely hazardous, causing not only water damage and costly repairs if ignored, but also some health hazards as well. This is why a sewer camera inspection from time to time is absolutely essential, just to be on the safe side. After all, professional inspections can lead to uncovering problems that you may not be able to notice with your naked eye, but that could ultimately lead to some much more serious issues if left unattended.
Anyway, it is also important for you to be familiar and be able to recognize some early warning signs that can help you address certain small issues before they turn into emergencies and disasters. So, in short, you should do your best to learn how to spot signs that your sewer drain needs to be inspected for clogs or drainage issues. And, well, we are going to help you out with that right now, listing some of the common and key warning signs that you should notice, and after which you should absolutely do your best to hire the right professionals to do an inspection. Without any kind of additional ado, thus, let us get started.
- Frequent Drain Backups and Toilet Overflows
Let us start with the very basics, and one of the most common signs that indicate that your sewer drain needs to be inspected for clogs or some other issues. Basically, if you find yourself having to plunge toilets frequently, or needing to clear the drain backups, that may be an indication of a more serious problem that requires professional attention. Some warning signs, therefore, include toilets that are overflowing unexpectedly, water backing up into the shower or the tub when flushing, basement floor drains filling with dirty water, as well as gurgling sounds followed by drainage issues.
Now, ignoring these recurring backup signs can result in some rather serious and complex problems. For example, the sewage could flood your home, which leads to some serious sanitation concerns, as well as, of course, property damage. So, scheduling an inspection as soon as you notice those frequent backups or toilet overflows is an absolute must, as it will keep you safe, as well as prevent costly restoration work that could be necessary after a more serious problem.
Read about some reasons why your sewer drain may be clogged: https://www.thespruce.com/signs-of-a-sewer-drain-clog-2718943
- Multiple Drains Slow at the Same Time
A single slow drain most usually points to a localized issue and a localized clog. For example, the hair in the bathroom sink may have clogged that drain, or there is grease buildup in the kitchen pipe causing some problems. These are usually sings of, as mentioned, localized problems, and they may be fixed quite easily, and are most often not a cause for panic, as they are not exactly a huge emergency.
On the other hand, when you notice that multiple drains throughout your home are slow at the very same time, then the issue may be much deeper within the main sewer line, and therefore, much more serious. Thus, if you’re noticing that the bathroom sink is draining slowly, the bathtub is filling up when shoring, the toilets are flushing sluggishly, and that the kitchen sink is taking longer than usual to empty, such a combination of issues is a clear indication of a deeper problem. That is, of wastewater not flowing freely through the main sewer line. So, a professional inspection will certainly be in order in this particular case.
- Foul Odors
As you probably know by now, your actual plumbing system is designed so as to prevent those sewer gases from entering your home, and from, thus, keeping any kinds of foul odors away. So, if you are noticing persistent odors coming from the tubs, the sinks, or perhaps the floor drains, then that should be a clear signal of a blockage or some ventilation issues within the actual sewer system. Some common causes can be organic buildup in the pipes, cracked or damaged sewer pipes, vent pipe obstructions, as well as dried-out drain traps. Whatever the causes, though, a professional inspection will absolutely uncover them, and thus allow the professionals to successfully deal with the underlying issues. Find out how to maintain your sewer line if you need such tips.
- Unusual Sounds in the Pipes
Moving on, if you are noticing some strange noises coming from your plumbing system, that may also be an indication of a problem in your sewer line. So, gurgling, sucking or bubbling sounds are definitely not normal, and when they appear, then there is a good chance that air is trapped due to a blockage. In short, you are dealing with improper airflow within your plumbing system, since the water is struggling to move through the pipes due to a blockage, and thus creating air pockets that are causing unusual sounds. Sure, an occasional noise may not be cause for alarm, but consistent or worsening sounds in the pipes definitely call for a professional inspection.
- Water Pooling in the Yard
Finally, you should understand that not all sewer drain problems occur inside your home, and that there can also be some outdoor warning signs that could indicate underground sewer line damage of some sorts. So, if you are noticing soggy areas and water pooling in your yard even though it hasn’t rained, that should absolutely be a cause for concern. And it should lead you towards immediately contacting professionals to do an inspection and get the problem fixed for you.