CIPP pipe sections are guaranteed to last up to 50 years; however, if your home’s plumbing hasn’t been updated recently, you could be experiencing issues with your sewer lines that might require sewer excavation and replacement. If you’ve been experiencing any of the following problems reach out to a certified plumbing company near you ASAP.

Five Signs of Sewer Line Damage

1. Backup and Clogs One sign that you need sewer repair is the appearance of clogs and backups, usually beginning in the lowest open drain. If you have started to notice frequent backups in your sinks or bathtubs when you try and put water down them, it could be a sign that the sewer line is damaged and a sewer line inspection is required to identify and resolve the problem. The issue could be stemming from tree root growth, cracked pipers, or even clogging in the sewer line itself. A professional will be able to inspect the pipes via camera and identify exactly what is causing the problem.
2. Sewer Odor in Your Home If you’ve begun to smell sewer gas in your home there is definitely a problem. This is usually the telltale sign that a crack has occurred somewhere and compromised the otherwise airtight sewer system. It’s important to have a professional inspect this problem and fix it as soon as possible, not just because the smell can be disgusting, but because sewer gas has the potential to make you sick if you’re exposed for too long. In this instance you might need sewer excavation to repair an old pipe that has become compromised; however, it may also be as minor as a cracked seal.
3. Mold Yes, sewer line problems can even cause mold growth inside your home. This can be caused by a sewer line breaking behind one of your walls. If you’ve noticed sudden mold growth on a wall, coupled with the smell of sewer gas, it could be a sign that one of your drain pipes has broken. Line locating like this can be difficult to do on your own and can end up causing more damage than needed. While some plumbing problems can be DIY, this is not one of them.
4. Slow Drains Slow drains, as with clogs and backups could be caused by an issue in the main sewer line. One symptom of this is foaming which will eventually turn into a full-blown backup. If your drains and toilets are draining slower than usual you could be experiencing issues with cracking or tree root intrusion in your mainline. If this is the case, a sewer excavation may be needed to replace the damaged pipe. It’s also important to note that whole chemical drain cleaners may be tempting to use, these can sit in pipes and damage the iron or PVC. If this happens you may end up needing new pipes instead of just a cleaning.
5. Septic Waste in Your Yard While this may seem like an obvious problem, it’s important to note that pooling might not be obvious at first. If you’ve noticed spots of greener grass starting to form in your yard, especially around where your sewer line is located, you should call for an inspection as soon as possible. A leaking sewer pipe can be a great fertilizer for your lawn; however, if left untreated, pooling can occur and turn into one big nasty problem. While this issue will most likely call for sewer excavation and repair, it’s important to catch early to prevent any further damage.

Catching sewer problems early is one of the best ways to prevent them from causing thousands of dollars in damages. While regular inspections are advised, if you’ve noticed any abnormalities or issues with draining or backups, it’s important to call a plumbing company ASAP, this is especially important for older homes without updated plumbing. If you’re experiencing any of the above issues, don’t hesitate, call for a sewer line inspection to ensure you won’t be dealing with any nasty septic backups in your home.