Homes talk to us. Floors squeak, lights flicker, and yes—sewer lines send warning signs too. Catching those signs early can stop a small issue from turning into a big, messy repair. This blog breaks down seven clear signals your sewer needs help. The language is simple, the steps are doable, and the tech info is easy to follow. You’ll find out what to look for, why it happens, and how a professional might solve it. If you see even one of these indications, you should act quickly. Small repairs cost less and take less time than big ones. Let’s keep your sinks, tubs, and toilets running like they should.

Slow Drains In Many Rooms At Once

When one sink runs slowly, a local clog is likely. But if all of your sinks, tubs, and toilets are draining slowly, the main sewer line could be the problem. This connection takes all the dirty water from your house to the city sewer or septic tank. When it narrows, water has nowhere to go.

What causes it:

• Grease and soap scum cool and harden inside pipes.
• Scale forms in old cast iron, shrinking the pipe.
• Bellies (low spots) hold water and waste, which then trap more debris.
• Roots enter through tiny cracks and act like a net.

Tech tip: A healthy sewer line should have a steady slope—about ¼ inch drop per foot—so gravity keeps things moving. A camera inspection can confirm slope, low spots, and blockages. Pros may use hydro jetting (often 1,500–4,000 PSI) to clear tough buildup without harsh chemicals.

Bad Smells From Drains, Yard, Or Basement

A strong, rotten-egg odor is a red flag. Sewer gas often contains hydrogen sulfide and methane. You should not smell it indoors or outside near your sewer line.

Common sources:

• Dry P-traps: Little U-shaped pipes under sinks hold water to block gas. If a sink is not used, the trap can dry out.
• Loose or cracked vents: The vent stack on your roof lets gas escape safely.
• Leaky joints or broken pipes: Gas and wastewater can seep into soil and then into your house or yard.

What to do now:

• Run water in seldom-used sinks to refill traps.
• Check for cleanout caps that are missing or loose.
• If odors stay, book a smoke test. A safe, visible smoke is blown into the system. Where smoke leaks, gas leaks. Fixing vents, seals, or broken sections often clears odors for good.

Gurgling Sounds When Fixtures Drain

Hear a “glug-glug” in the tub when the toilet flushes? That sound means air is being pulled through water traps. This points to a vent problem or a partial sewer blockage.

Why does it happen:

• Blocked vent stack: Leaves, bird nests, or ice can cap the roof vent. Without air, water pulls a vacuum and slurps air through traps.
• Partial clog downstream: Wastewater hits a restriction and air burps back.

Quick checks you can try:

• Make sure all roof vents are open and not covered by debris.
• Listen for where the gurgle starts first; that fixture is often closest to the problem.

Tech insight: Plumbers use a camera from the cleanout to see inside the line. They may measure how fast the line drains after a flow test. If venting is clear, they’ll likely jet or snake the line. Adding a studor (AAV) valve is a fix in some cases, but only where codes allow.

Wet Spots, Green Stripes, Or Sinkholes in the Yard

A healthy sewer line keeps wastewater inside the pipe. If you notice soggy soil, lush green streaks in dry weather, or small sinkholes, the line may be cracked or separated. Clay and old cast iron are more at risk, but even PVC can shift if the soil settles.

Clues in the yard:

• Soft ground over the sewer path after dry days.
• Mushrooms or very green grass along a straight line.
• Sinking pavers or fence posts near the route.

How pros confirm it:

• Camera inspection to spot cracks, offsets, or roots.
• Locate equipment to mark the exact path and depth.
• A dye test is performed to see if colored water shows up in the soil.

Repair options:

• Spot repair: Replace a short, bad section.
• Pipe bursting: Pull a new pipe through the old one.
• CIPP lining: A resin liner hardens inside, making a smooth “pipe within a pipe.” Good when digging is hard or costly.

Frequent Clogs, Backups, And Toilet Overflows

If you’re plunging every week, the problem is bigger than a wad of paper. Repeating clogs mean the line keeps catching waste. A true sewer backup—wastewater coming up in a tub or floor drain—needs fast action to avoid damage and germs.

Warning signs:

• Toilets flush slowly and refill with dirty water.
• Floor drains in the basement bubble or spill.
• Washing machine discharge causes a tub backup.

What helps long-term:

• Install or service a backwater valve. It shuts when the flow tries to reverse.
• Ask for hydro jetting to scrub the pipe walls, not just poke a hole.
• Have the tech measure the pipe diameter and check for offset joints that snag wipes and paper.

Note: “Flushable” wipes often don’t break down fast. Keep them out of your drains.

Rising Water Bills And A Spinning Meter

Sewer leaks do not always raise water use, but they often come with freshwater leaks or other plumbing problems. If your meter spins when no fixtures run, you may have a leak. Pair that with any drain issue, and a full system check is smart.

Easy home test:

• Turn off all water uses.
• Check the small triangle or star on the meter. If it spins, water is flowing somewhere.
• Read the meter, wait 30 minutes, read again.

Tech tools a pro may use:

• Acoustic leak listening for pressurized water lines.
• Thermal cameras to spot damp areas behind walls.
• Pressure tests to isolate which branch leaks.

If a sewer issue is also present, fixing both supply and drain problems together can save return trips and extra digging.

Old Pipes, Roots, Rust, And Brittle Joints

Pipes age. Each material has a typical lifespan:

• Cast iron: about 50–75 years; it can rust from the inside.
• Clay tile: 50–60 years; joints can open and invite roots.
• Orangeburg (older fiber pipe): 30–50 years; it can flatten and blister.
• PVC: can last longer, but poor bedding or shifts can crack joints.

Root intrusion basics:

• Roots seek water and grow into hairline cracks.
• Small root hairs catch toilet paper and grease.
• Seasonal growth can turn a small issue into a full clog.

Best fixes:

• Root cutting followed by jetting to remove the slime left behind.
• Foaming herbicide (applied by a pro) can slow regrowth in some cases.
• For heavy damage, lining or pipe bursting gives a lasting solution and smoother flow that resists future snags.

How Pros Find Problems Without Guesswork

Good repairs start with clear data. Ask for these steps so the fix lasts:

• Camera inspection with recording: See the problem; get a copy.
• Locate and depth marking: Know exactly where to dig, if needed.
• Slope check: Confirm that a ¼-inch per foot fall is maintained.
• Flow test after cleaning: Ensure water clears the line fast.
• Report of material and size: Note where the pipe changes type.
• Plan of repair options: Spot repair, lining, or full replacement, with pros and cons.

These methods cut down on recurring calls and help you pick the proper remedy the first time.

Simple Care Tips To Prevent Sewer Trouble

Small habits make a big difference:

• Put strainers in your sinks and showers to capture hair and food.
• No grease down the drain; put cooled grease in the trash.
• Flush only toilet paper and rubbish. Don’t flush anything else.
• After washing oily pans, run hot water for a minute.
• Schedule a camera check every few years in older homes or yards with big trees.

Keep an eye on your yard and basement. If anything looks or smells off, act early.

Conclusion

Your home gives clear signs when the sewer line needs help. Slow drains, bad smells, wet spots, and backups all point to issues that grow with time. A quick camera check and the right repair can stop damage and protect your health. Perry Heavy Equipment Services LLC offers water and sewer services that include inspections, cleaning, repairs, and smart replacement options. If you’ve seen any of these signs, reach out to Perry Heavy Equipment Services LLC to get your system checked and fixed the right way.