The sewer and drain lines in your home are an important part of the plumbing system that protects your family from dangerous gases and bacteria. While things tend to run smoothly most of the time, clogs and backups can happen. These clogs are especially common if you live in an older home where debris has built up.
Naturally, it is important to do your part as a homeowner to make sure things such as grease and non-biodegradable objects do not go down the drain. However, treating clogs
early is important for preventing bigger problems. Watch for these signs of a developing issue within your lines so that you can take care of it quickly.
Experiencing Frequent Backups
If you know that you’re not flushing too much toilet paper down the toilet but the bowl keeps overflowing, or if your sink starts overflowing before you finish the dishes, your plumbing may be clogged. Frequent backups without an obvious explanation are signs that your drain lines may have a clog deeper within the pipes.
Smelling a Foul Odor
The plumbing system in your house is carefully designed to prevent sewage gas from entering your home. Therefore, you should never smell a sewage odor coming from any of your fixtures. If you do, then it is possible that you have a crack in your line that will probably need to be repaired by a professional.
Noticing a Slow Drain
A bathtub or sink that takes a long time to drain could be a sign of several different issues. For instance, you may have a minor build-up of hair or soap scum at the top of the pipe. Often, this can be corrected on your own by removing the surface debris using a glove-covered hand or drain snake.
It is also common for clogs to be more severe. For instance, you could have tree roots growing into your pipes or a clog may be lodged in a part of the pipe that is inaccessible to you. For these issues, a professional plumber can identify the source of the clog and remove it.
Seeing Stains on Your Walls
Since your sewage lines may travel behind your walls until they get underground, a break can mean that fluid begins to seep into the building materials. If a break in your lines happens between your walls, then you may see water stains, peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint. Mold growth can also occur if the leak isn’t patched up quickly. When a leak behind a wall happens, you will need to repair the sewer line and replace any damaged drywall.
Dealing with an Insect Infestation
Undetected plumbing leaks are often the perfect environment for insects to thrive in. If you have a sudden pest infestation near your pipes, have a professional inspect the plumbing system for damage.
Discovering Unusually Green Grass
Underground pipe breaks are harder for homeowners to detect, but one way to catch them is by looking for unusual growth patterns in the yard. When a leak is present, the decaying matter from your sewage pipes can leak out into the ground. This matter acts as a fertilizer for your grass. Watch for vibrantly green or overly lush patches of grass that are only present in one section of your lawn.
As a general rule, the sewer and drain lines of your home should be routinely inspected for damage and signs of damage before clogs can turn into a serious backup. If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs call the plumbers at Mike’s Plumbing. Their professional plumbers will inspect, clean and replace your pipes. Contact us at 734-421-4633
to keep your plumbing running smoothly today.
