6 Signs You Need Main Sewer Line Replacement

Your main sewer line is an essential but hidden part of your plumbing system. It whisks away waste from your toilets, sinks, and showers, keeping your home sanitary. Because it's buried underground, problems with the sewer line can go unnoticed for a while. But there are some telltale signs that your main sewer line might need to be replaced. Let's look at 6 of the most common ones:

A clogged drain here or there is a normal occurrence. You might find hair in the bathroom sink or soap scum in the shower drain. But if you have slow drains in multiple fixtures at the same time, especially if they're far apart in the house, it could be a sign of trouble in your main sewer line. A clog in the main line restricts the flow of waste from your entire home, causing backups in various drains.

Do your drains sometimes gurgle when you flush the toilet or use the sink? This gurgling sound happens when air gets trapped in the pipes. Air gets trapped because there's not enough water flowing freely to push it out. A blockage or a broken pipe in the main sewer line can cause this air to get trapped and make those gurgling noises.

Sewage smells are unpleasant and shouldn't be noticeable inside your house. If you detect sewage odors coming from your drains or around your house, it's a sign that there might be a leak or break in your sewer line. Sewage leaks can happen underground, and the smell can seep up through cracks in your foundation or floor.

Sewage is full of nutrients; unfortunately, those can be good for more than just waste removal. If you have a broken sewer line underground, the leaking sewage can nourish the soil above it. This can cause patches of your lawn to be greener and grow faster than usual. However, this greener grass isn't a good thing. It's a sign of a potential health hazard lurking underground.

Sewage backups are the most dramatic sign that you have a major problem with your sewer line. If sewage backs up into your drains, toilets, or even your basement, there's a blockage or break in the main line preventing waste from flowing away from your house. Sewage backups are a health hazard and require immediate attention from a licensed plumber.

Most sewer lines are built to last for many years, but even the sturdiest pipes eventually wear down. If your house is older than 50, and the sewer line is original, there's a higher chance that it might need replacement soon. Clay or cast iron pipes, commonly used in older homes, are more prone to cracking and collapse over time.