The last thing any homeowner wants is an issue with their sewer system, but these problems can and do exist.
Fortunately, you might be able to catch sewer-related issues before they become expensive inconveniences. Below are the five most common signs that you are experiencing a sewer issue and you should contact a plumber immediately.
5 Common Signs of Sewer Problems
#1 – The Rotten Egg Smell
For many homeowners, the surefire sign that there is a serious sewer problem is the rotten egg odor. Sewer gas is actually a combination of several different types of gases, and when they combine, the odor is very pungent and resembles rotten eggs. This gas should never be inside your home, however, so make sure you contact a professional right away if you smell it. Don’t put it off; some of these gases can be toxic, even at very low levels.
#2 – Your Drains are Slow
Slow drains are a real pain, and they can be incredibly inconvenient. However, in some cases, a slow drain is the result of more than just your normal clog; it could be the first indication that there is a serious sewer problem lurking about. Most of the time, it takes a while before your sewer becomes completely blocked. In the interim, you’ll experience gradually slowing drains all throughout your home. Eventually, if you don’t address the issue, the stoppage will cause sewage to back up into the drains in your home.
#3 – Changes in Your Lawn
Believe it or not, your lawn can even tell you if something is happening in your sewers. Sometimes, leaks will spill out into the ground, which results in a very wet or soft yard – even when it hasn’t been raining. In some cases, even if the ground doesn’t seem wet, you might notice that the grass is especially lush in that particular area. In these situations, it’s important to contact a professional right away to address the potential leak occurring just below the surface.
#4 – Your Drains Gurgle
Drain gurgling isn’t always a sign that there’s a sewer issue, but it can be an indicator. Most of the time, the toilet will be the first drain to start gurgling, and you’ll notice it immediately after a flush. As the problem progresses, you may also catch a whiff of the rotten egg odor when you flush, and the gurgling may start occurring in sinks and tubs, too. These gurgles indicate clogs somewhere in the sewer line that should be cleared as soon as possible.
#5 – Your Lawn is Sinking
As infrastructures across the nation continue to grow older, sinkholes will continue to become more widespread and more problematic. Though the worst sinkholes tend to open up all at once with very little warning, smaller ones can occur as the result of a sewer leak caused by a broken sewer line. If an area of your yard seems to be sinking a little more each day, contact a licensed plumber immediately.