How Do I Know My Sewer Line Needs to Be Replaced?

The sewer line to your home is probably something you don’t often think of, especially when your toilets are flushing and your bathtubs and sinks are operating correctly. However, if you have ever experienced a problem with your plumbing, you may start thinking more about the state of your sewer line and access to the sewer system. So, how do you know if your sewer line needs to be replaced? The following explains some factors to consider and how you can tell if a sewer line replacement is needed.

What Does the Sewer Line Do?

It’s important to know the true value of your sewer line. The sewer line connects the plumbing in your house to the public sewer system. This important underground pipe ensures that any solid waste and wastewater in your home finds its way out of the house and winds up at the public sewer facility. So, whenever you flush your toilet or take a bath and then open the drain when you’re done, the sewer line is how the wastewater and any solid waste gets from your home to the sewage treatment plant.  

What Factors May Indicate a Sewer Line Replacement is Needed?

The sewer line plays an important role in removing wastewater and solid waste from your home’s pipes. Therefore, if anything happens to the sewer line that makes it inoperable, this can lead to a lot of issues within your home. Here are some signs that you may need to get your sewer line replaced: 

Standing Water in the Yard

If your yard doesn’t usually flood and you’ve started noticing standing water throughout your yard, there may be a problem with your sewer line. A cracked or broken sewer line can push water out of it and the water will then rise to the surface in your yard. This type of flooding can point to a broken sewer line. 

Multiple Clogged Drains

There may come a time when you have a clogged sink or toilet in your house and this can be remedied by tending to that one drain. However, if you notice that multiple drains are clogged in your home, this often means a bigger problem exists, i.e., an issue with the sewer line. 

Gurgling Sounds Coming From the Pipes

As mentioned above, you may have one clogged drain every once in a while. The drain might gurgle if it’s clogged. With that said, if you notice bubbling or gurgling sounds in the pipes throughout your home, it could indicate an issue with the main sewer line. 

Water Damage in Your House

If you notice water damage in your home and you’re not sure where it’s coming from, this may lead to the discovery that it’s a problem with your sewer line. If the sewer line is damaged, this can cause water damage in your house. 

Cracks in Your Home’s Foundation

Foundation cracks may indicate sewer line damage. This is especially true if the sewer line has been cracked or broken for a while and the water leakage leads to damage to the foundation over time. 

What Causes Sewer Line Damage?

There are many reasons why sewer lines can become damaged. The sewer line may be old and the materials used to make the pipes may not be in the best shape. Tree roots underground can also weave around the sewer line and damage the pipe. Also, in some cases, extreme temperatures may wear on the sewer line and eventually cause it to crack or break. A clogged sewer line may result in damage due to the pressure. In some cases, the sewer line just needs to be repaired; however, other times a completely new sewer line may be necessary. 

NuBlue Can Replace Your Sewer Line

If the time comes to replace your sewer line, don’t panic. NuBlue is here to help! We provide plumbing services throughout the Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greenville, and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Our professional team will diagnose your sewer line issue and help you resolve the problem quickly so you can get back to using your toilets, sinks, and bathtubs once again.

Contact the NuBlue team today to get your sewer line issues resolved!