If you have a sewer line that is leaking, there are many signs that you can look for. These can be easy to miss, especially if you have never experienced this. It is essential to know these signs to get help fast from a trusted plumber in Camarillo.
You Smell Sewage
When you smell sewage, there’s a good chance that it’s coming from your sewer line. The cause of the smell may vary depending on what type of sewage you’re smelling and where it’s coming from.
Sewage smells are caused by natural substances in your toilet bowl and flushed away with garbage. If you don’t have enough water pressure or your toilet is clogged, the waste in your tank will build up and cause a strong odor when it comes out of the drain.
Another possible cause for this smell would be leftover chemicals from when you cleaned your septic tank or drain field with a chemical called bleach (which has a strong smell). This can lead to an unpleasant smell in your bathroom or kitchen and possibly make you sick if not dealt with properly.
Fluid Backs Up Into Your Basement
According to plumber Camarillo, a blocked sewer line can cause a lot of damage to your home. The worst part is that you might not even know the line is damaged until you start having problems with water backing up into your basement.
The exact cause of a backed-up sewer line varies depending on what’s causing it, but there are some signs to look for if you suspect that your drain is clogged:
- Water in the basement or crawl space has no visible pipe leaks.
- Water coming out of faucets and toilets in your home.
- Sewer backup when you flush the toilet or run a hose down the drain.
You Can Hear Water Running
If you hear running water, this is a sign of a leak in your sewer line. Water can enter the sewer line through cracks or openings in the pipe or if the pipe has been damaged by a car accident. Leaks also occur when water pressure builds up inside the pipe and causes it to burst open.
Sewer Gas Is Present
Sewer gas is a natural byproduct of sewage treatment plants. It comprises hydrogen sulfide and other gases produced when bacteria break down organic matter in wastewater into carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia. Sewer gas is colorless and odorless but can cause headaches and nausea for people exposed to it at high concentrations.
You Can Hear Air Bubbling From Your Sink
If you’re having problems with air bubbles coming from your sink, this could indicate problems with the main sewer line in your house. The most common cause of this type of problem is when an air bubble gets stuck in a pipe that leads into your kitchen sink or bathroom toilet bowl, where it will eventually cause damage to those fixtures due to lack of pressure or other issues with the plumbing system.
You See Water Leaking From the Wall Above Your Toilet
If you notice water leaking from your wall, it could signify a damaged sewer line. You first want to check your toilet for any clogs that may have caused the leak. If there are no clogs, removing debris from your sewer line using a plumber’s snake is the next step.
If there are still problems with your sewer line after removing all debris, call a professional plumber in Camarillo to inspect the problem firsthand.
A Bonus Tip
How can I avoid clogs? The best way to avoid clogs and line breaks is to prevent waste from building up in your sewer lines. Clogs are caused by grease and soap combined with food particles creating a solid accumulation in the drain. In case the situation is beyond your control, feel free to call a plumber in Camarillo; they have the right arsenal of tools and practical industry experience to deal with the problem right away.
