Common Signs Your Sewer Line Is Failing (and What to Do Next)
Your home’s sewer line works quietly in the background—until something goes wrong. When it does, the warning signs can be subtle at first, progressing into major issues that affect your drains, yard, and plumbing fixtures. Knowing how to identify the early signs of a failing sewer line can save you thousands of dollars in repairs and prevent costly damage to your property.
At John Shelton Plumbing, we help homeowners in Murrysville, Monroeville, Penn Hills, Plum, and Leechburg, and surrounding Alle-Kiski Valley areas diagnose sewer problems early and choose the right repair options.
1. Slow Drains Throughout the House
A single slow drain usually means a localized clog. However, when multiple drains—like sinks, tubs, and showers—start emptying slowly at the same time, it often signals a problem deeper in the sewer line. Tree roots, pipe breaks, and collapsed sections can block water flow and cause drainage issues throughout the entire home.
2. Gurgling Sounds From Drains or Toilets
If you hear bubbling or gurgling when water moves through your plumbing, it may indicate trapped air inside the sewer line. This happens when wastewater cannot flow freely, forcing air pockets back up through your fixtures. Because these sounds often worsen over time, they’re an important warning sign that should not be ignored.
3. Sewage Odors Inside or Outside the Home
Sewer systems are sealed. You should never smell sewage inside your home, around your yard, or near floor drains. Persistent odors almost always mean there is a break, blockage, or ventilation issue in the sewer line. Left unchecked, this can lead to health risks and larger structural damage.
4. Frequent Toilet Backups
Occasional toilet clogs are normal. However, if backups happen repeatedly—or if plunging no longer solves the issue—it may indicate a severe obstruction or break in the main sewer line. Toilets sit at the lowest point in your plumbing system, so they are the first fixtures to reveal sewer failures.
5. Wet Spots, Sinkholes, or Lush Grass in the Yard
A leaking sewer line can cause soggy areas in the yard even when it hasn’t rained. In some cases, the soil above the pipe becomes unusually green due to nutrient-rich wastewater. If the pipe has collapsed, you may even see depressions or small sinkholes forming on your lawn.
6. Foundation Cracks or Mold Growth
When sewer leaks occur under or around the home, excess moisture can cause structural damage. Over time, this may lead to foundation cracks, wall shifting, or mold spreading around your basement floors or walls. If you notice new cracks along with drainage issues, contact a professional immediately.
What Causes Sewer Line Failure?
Sewer problems usually develop over many years. The most common causes include:
- Tree root intrusion searching for moisture
- Old or deteriorating pipe materials such as clay or cast iron
- Ground shifting from weather or soil movement
- Improper installation or low-quality fittings
- Grease buildup and debris restricting wastewater flow
Because each home’s plumbing system is different, identifying the cause quickly helps prevent further damage and allows you to choose the most cost-effective repair option.
How Sewer Line Inspections Work
When you call John Shelton Plumbing, we perform a video camera inspection to evaluate the inside of your sewer line. This lets us see the exact issue—blockages, breaks, root intrusion, sagging pipes, or corrosion—without digging up your yard.
After we diagnose the problem, we walk you through repair options, which may include:
- Hydro-jetting to remove roots or heavy debris
- Spot repairs for small damaged sections
- Trenchless pipelining for a full no-dig sewer restoration
- Traditional excavation when severely collapsed pipes require replacement
Why Trenchless Sewer Repair Is Often the Best Choice
Traditional sewer repair requires digging long trenches across yards, sidewalks, and driveways. Trenchless pipelining, however, solves the problem from the inside of the pipe—usually in just one day and at a lower cost.
The process involves cleaning the pipe, inserting a durable epoxy lining, and curing it into a seamless, long-lasting replacement pipe. The result is a fully restored sewer line with a life expectancy of 50+ years.