Most homeowners don’t think about their sewer lines, despite the fact that it makes much of everyday home life possible. After all, it’s most often out of sight and out of mind. A well-functioning sewer line is essential to your home’s plumbing system. If your sewer line is broken or blocked, it’s a major plumbing emergency. That’s why you’ll want to spot the signs that you need a sewer line inspection before any major issues occur.

A professional can utilize specific equipment like a camera to diagnose any sewer line issue you might have.

Does your home have a history of lines draining slowly? Is your home more than 40 years old? Or, are you seeing some of the signs below? If so, you should get your sewer line inspected.

Here are five signs that you need a sewer line inspection:

  1. Slow Drains

Whether it’s your bathtub, sink, or toilet, a slow drain is a warning sign. It may indicate a growing blockage, which could lead to a clog and sewage backup. If more than one drain in your home is slow, the issue might be in the sewer line.

  1. Foul Smells in Your Home

If you notice the smell of gas or foul odor in your home, try to track its source. If a sewer gas odor originates from your drains, it could be a sign that your sewer line isn’t ventilating properly or has a crack or clog. These odors can be dangerous and should be immediately addressed by a professional.

  1. Gurgling Pipes

Gurgling pipes are often the first indication that your sewer line needs attention. While loud gurgling noises can be caused by a few issues, consider a few key questions when evaluating this noise. First: do you generally hear the gurgle out of one drain? If so, that drain is probably where the clog is. If turning on a faucet in one room causes a gurgling sound in another room, then you may have a clog in your main sewer line. The gurgling noise is caused by air or gas bubbles that are trapped in your drain lines because the plumbing vent is inaccessible.

  1. Water Pooling Around Toilets and Bathtub Drains

If water consistently backs up when you flush the toilet or use sinks or tubs, it’s a cause for concern. Regular backups that you can’t clear and continued water pooling around toilets and drains is a sign you may need your sewer line inspected.

  1. Your Lawn Changes

Are patches of your lawn moving or sinking? Or, even more alarming, do you see septic wastewater pooling in your yard? Interestingly enough, some “positive” changes can also be a cause for concern. If you see a patch of extra green or lush grass, or plants that suddenly flourish and grow quickly, it might be due to sewage. Sewage is an unwelcome fertilizer that could be bringing your plants nutrients.

How Often Should I Have My Sewer Line Inspected?

The above issues should trigger a call to your plumbing professional for a line inspection. But whether or not you see issues, homeowners should have their sewer line regularly checked and maintained by a licensed plumber. Make it a key part of your home maintenance, as you would with any general plumbing, HVAC, or electrical checkup by the experts.

Periodically cleaning the sewer lines (again, use a professional for this!) can help you prevent the clogs and backups that can occur and compound over time.

Additionally, get the sewer lines inspected prior to purchasing your home to be sure you’re not inheriting preexisting issues.

Many factors can contribute to needing a sewer line inspection: blockages from things like grease, hair, or food; or penetration by tree roots. Most of those issues happen without you seeing them, and the results can not only be a huge financial expense, but, let’s face it, pretty gross.

With proper attention and inspection, you could be saving yourself from a huge headache later on.

Sewer Line Inspection in South Jersey

If you see any of the above signs, don’t delay. Sewer line problems are inconvenient and need to be addressed right away. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Pleasantville’s team of licensed and trained plumbers are ready to help. Not only do they offer sewer line inspection, but they can fix any sewer issue, large or small. Schedule your appointment today!