Causes of Sewer Damage and Warning Signs

It is not uncommon for a homeowner to experience sewer damage. Causes of sewer damage can range from tree roots entering the pipe to large amounts of rainfall that cause it to overflow into your wall’s foundation cavities. When this happens, sewer repair services are often needed in order to fix the problem and prevent it from getting worse. When you’re faced with a sewer problem, it’s best to take care of them as soon and safely as possible.

This article will discuss the five leading causes of sewer damage, what happens when you don’t fix it soon, as well as what you should do if you have experienced any sewage leak or other obstruction in your home’s plumbing system.

5 Main Causes of Sewer Damage

• Roots Entering the Pipe: Trees are often considered essential plants in our yards because they provide shade wood for building and heating homes with fires made from their branches. However, sometimes tree roots can cause significant problems in your sewer when they grow too far inside pipes where there was never intended to be anything other than water! When they grow large enough, they cause a blockage, leading to backups and the growth of molds and mildew. This could also lead to severe other flooding situations that may destroy your home’s interior if left unchecked long enough.



• Blockages: Another common cause of sewer damage is blockages, which can be caused by feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, and grease items. When these items accumulate in the pipes, they can lead to significant blockages, backups, or even worse – a complete collapse! To prevent this from happening, take care when disposing of your trash and avoid throwing such products down the toilet or drain.



• Leaking Pipes: Leaking pipes are another cause of sewer damage. A leaking pipe can potentially lead to more severe issues such as water intrusion and mold growth, which will require extensive repairs or replacements on your property's structure or exterior surfaces - not just the affected areas! A way to prevent leaking pipes is to have a professional plumbing inspection. With the trained eye of a professional plumber, he’ll spot leaks and do the necessary sewer line leak repair in no time!



• Weather Events: Large amounts of rainfall and other weather events can also cause sewer damage. When too much rainwater enters the system, it can overload the sewage system and result in backups.



• Old Pipes: When it's raining too much, your sewer system can handle the extra water and still work efficiently. However, if there are prolonged periods of heavy rainfall or other weather events for days on end, you might experience backup problems. This happens because of too much rainwater entering into this complex network which overloads its capacity resulting in backups, leading to problems with your sewer line.

Warning Signs of a Sewer Line Issue

There are a lot of warning signs that can indicate there’s damage down your sewer line. The first step in preventing an expensive plumbing emergency is knowing what signs to look for so you’ll know when one appears suddenly on the horizon! Here is a list of 10 signs that may indicate your pipes have been affected:

1. Foul Odors: Main sewer lines are designed to be intact and keep odors out. If you start noticing a distinct disgusting odor coming from your home's pipes, it could indicate something wrong with them. When your home starts to smell, it could mean that there's a leak in the pipes. This foul smell often comes out of fixtures and drains, and when they do, it’s best to call up a professional plumbing company right away! With licensed and skilled plumbers, they will be able to fix your problem with their expertise in sewer repair services and drain cleaning services.



2. Slow Drains: You can't always see what's happening inside your sewer line. Sometimes, the drain won’t become blocked entirely; instead, it will slowly start getting slower and smaller until you finally notice a problem with the water flow! This could mean larger-scale issues are going on in blockages that need more than just plunging or snaking away at them (those methods only work for minor problems.) When a slow drain happens, call the help of a professional plumber immediately! With the proper equipment, tools, and skills, he’ll bring your drain working again in no time!



3. Gurgling Toilets: Sometimes toilets make a gurgling noise when you flush. But when this happens, it could be sending a signal that there’s a broken sewer line. Sometimes, gurgling toilets could also mean the sewer line might be full of water because of a blockage. When you hear these kinds of noises from your toilets, it’s best to call for professional help immediately!



4. Sewage Backups: When a clogged sewer drain occurs in your home, it can cause extensive damage to the plumbing fixtures throughout a house. In some cases, raw sewage will start to back up inside drains. You might think that only one room is affected, but when this happens, it can begin overflowing onto surfaces near its source until there is no more room left for expansion! This includes both carpets and flooring as well. When raw sewage starts to back up and flood your home, it can cause extensive property damage and even health issues. A professional plumber should be called immediately to help your sewer lines back to normal and clean up the mess!



5. Foundation Cracks: If you see large cracks in your foundation, it could be a sign of an unnoticed sewer or drain line leak. This type of problem can cause sinkholes in the yards or severe damage to the integrity of a home’s basements. So before devastation happens, it’s better to call a professional plumber’s help who can offer sewer line repair services.

When should you call a McHenry plumber about sewer problems?

When you notice any warning signs, it is best to call a reliable and trusted plumber in McHenry like J.Blanton Plumbing immediately. The list of warning signs to look out for includes foul odors, slow drains, gurgling toilets, sewage backup, and foundation cracks. The earlier you detect sewer line problems, the minor damage they will do to your home.

J.Blanton Plumbing has been providing quality plumbing services for over 20 years! We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for emergency sewer service needs. Our highly skilled team members can provide quick response times due to their knowledge and expertise in sewer and plumbing services.