Signs of a Collapsed Sewer Line - Big Brother's Home Services

When it comes to plumbing issues, few problems are as serious as a collapsed sewer line. At Big Brothers Home Services, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating this problem can be for homeowners. But don’t worry — we’re here to help you identify the warning signs early so you can avoid costly repairs and protect your home. Let’s look at a few surprising and disturbing ways that your home may be trying to tell you about a collapsed sewer line!

Gurgling Sounds

Have you noticed gurgling sounds coming from your drains? It isn’t just a noisy nuisance when your toilet starts bubbling — it may be one of the first signs of a collapsed sewer line. Air can get trapped during the collapse and emit strange sounds.

Strange Smells

If you’re catching whiffs of sewer odor around your property, especially in your basement or yard, this may be an indication of a collapsed sewer line. These unpleasant smells occur because wastewater isn’t flowing properly through the collapsed pipe, allowing sewer gasses to escape through the cracks.

Sunken or Soggy Lawn

Take a walk around your property. Do you see any unusually lush patches of grass? While a green lawn is typically something to celebrate, a lawn saturated with water puddles and green spots might be receiving a little extra “fertilizer” as it begins to slowly absorb water from your broken sewer pipes. You might also notice sunken areas — these depressions can form when collapsed sewer lines create voids in the soil.

Foundation Damage

Keep an eye on your foundation. A collapsed sewer pipe can erode the dirt surrounding your home, which can eventually lead to foundation cracks or settling. If you notice new cracks in your walls or floors, especially accompanied by other warning signs, call a plumber immediately for a sewer inspection in Salt Lake City. We utilize camera equipment to quickly determine the health of your sewer pipes without the need for intrusive excavation.

Repeated Nuisance Clogs

A single slow drain may not be anything to worry about, as it can often be resolved by a quick drain cleaning appointment. However, if multiple fixtures throughout your home start acting up simultaneously or you find yourself fighting frequent clogs around the clock, you may have more serious sewer pipe problems. In particular, watch out for these telltale signs of a collapsed sewer line:

Toilets that experience frequent backups
Multiple slow drains across different areas of your home
Water backing up into other drains (such as the bathroom sink filling when you run the washing machine)

Pest Infestations

A sudden increase in pest activity, particularly rats and cockroaches, is another one of the most notable signs of a collapsed sewer line. These unwanted visitors are attracted to the standing water in the area where the sewer pipe collapse occurred. If you’re dealing with a cockroach or rodent infestation, especially in your basement or crawl space, it’s worth having your sewer line inspected.

Water, Water, Everywhere

A collapsed sewer line doesn’t just affect your drains — as water seeps out of your plumbing system and into the surrounding soil, it can cause problems throughout your entire plumbing infrastructure. Here are a few leak-related signs of a collapsed sewer line:

Unexplained increases in your water bill
Inconsistent water pressure throughout your home
Damp spots on walls or floors
Mold growth in unusual places
The sound of running water when no fixtures are in use

Health and Safety Concerns

A broken sewer line is also a potential health hazard. Raw sewage contains harmful bacteria and pathogens that can cause serious illness, while sewer gas can be toxic to inhale. If you notice any of these sewer system issues, call us ASAP and we’ll assess if you have a collapsed sewer pipe.

Sewage backups in your home
Unusual respiratory issues or allergic reactions
Unexplained headaches when spending time in certain areas of your home

How to Reduce the Risk of a Broken Sewer Line

While some collapsed sewer lines are unavoidable due to aging infrastructure or environmental factors, there are steps you can take to protect your home and your sewer system. Here are a few ways to reduce the need for premature sewer replacement or repair:

Be mindful of what you flush down your toilets (and all the other drains in your home) to eliminate the risk of main sewer pipe clogs.
Avoid planting trees or bushes near sewer lines or anywhere else where drainage pipes run. Bush and tree roots are attracted to water flow and can grow into your sewage system, increasing the risk of a collapsed sewer line.
Address all plumbing issues promptly. The longer you wait to handle a seemingly minor problem with your fixtures or drainage pipes, the more likely it is to turn into a major project.
Schedule regular plumbing inspections. Our team can help you spot the signs of a collapsed sewer line and take action to protect your home.
Book regular drain cleaning. This not only reduces the likelihood of a main sewer line clog, but it also provides an effective solution if you’re dealing with frequent backups or fixture clogs.

What to Do If You Suspect a Collapsed Sewer Pipe

If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs, don’t wait for the situation to worsen. A collapsed sewer line isn’t a problem that fixes itself, and delays can lead to more extensive damage and higher repair costs as water slowly infiltrates your property. Plus, all the drainage from a sewage pipe collapse can become a health hazard for you and your family members as you inhale toxic gas.

At Big Brothers Home Services, we have the expertise and advanced equipment needed to accurately diagnose and repair sewer line collapse. Our team of licensed plumbers will use camera inspection technology to assess the condition of your sewer lines and determine the best course of action to repair or replace the collapsed pipe. Then, we’ll use state-of-the-art sewer line repair methods, such as trenchless pipe bursting, to replace the damaged line with a brand-new pipe that will last for the long haul.