Key Points
- Common signs of sewer line damage include slow drains, sewage backups, pest activity, and foul odors.
- Some reasons sewer lines break include shifting soil, high pressure from major clogs, age, improper installation, and tree root intrusion.
- Spencer Home Services provides quick, effective plumbing solutions for Massachusetts residents, including traditional and trenchless sewer repair services.
Spencer Home Services offers a diverse range of services, including comprehensive traditional and trenchless sewer line repair, throughout the Greater Boston area, including Danvers, Lynn, and other nearby communities.
Warning Signs Your Sewer Line Is Broken
Wondering how to tell if your sewer line is broken and when to call Spencer for sewer line repair? The following are the most common signs of a burst sewer pipe or clogged sewer line:
1. Sewage backups in multiple drains
If wastewater backs up into your showers, sinks, tubs, or other drains in your home, or if multiple toilets are backing up, it could indicate a broken sewer line. Sewage backups not only smell bad, but they’re also a health hazard, because raw sewage contains bacteria and viruses you shouldn’t come in contact with. Avoid using water if possible, and call a professional plumber for immediate assistance.
2. Slow drains throughout the entire home
Hard-water mineral deposits, more common in rural Massachusetts, can cause slow drainage. Multiple slow drains occurring throughout your home are a major sign of sewer line damage. A burst, collapsed, or otherwise damaged sewer line will affect your entire home’s wastewater drainage. Even a partial collapse can cause serious drain and toilet issues.
3. Strong sewer odors inside or outside the house
Sewer gas has a distinctive, foul odor. If you smell a rotten-egg-like odor coming from your sinks, bathtub, and other drains, especially in the bathrooms and kitchen drains, it could be due to sewer line issues. This foul smell will escape your drains and waft into your home because the waste is trapped in your pipes, with nowhere else to go.
Never ignore a strong sewage smell in your house, as it’s an indicator of a serious underlying plumbing problem. Sewer gases are also hazardous to breathe at high concentrations.
4. Gurgling toilets and bubbling drains
When your sewer line is compromised, air can get trapped inside the plumbing. When water flows through the pipes, trapped air can cause your toilet and drains to gurgle and bubble.
5. Wet spots, sinkholes, or extra-green grass in the yard
A cracked sewer line will leak out nutrient-rich wastewater that, over time, may accumulate to form wet spots in your yard. It could also wash away soil beneath the surface, creating unstable ground and sinkholes, while delivering natural fertilizer to the grass, causing bright green patches and a spongy feel.
6. Rodents or insects near sewer areas
Leaking sewage attracts pests, as it provides them with food and shelter. If you notice an increase in insects, rodents, or other pests around your home, it could indicate a sewage line issue.
7. Foundation cracks or soil shifting
Over time, underground soil erosion from leaking sewage can change the ground, causing further damage to the plumbing and creating problems with your home’s foundation as the ground settles unevenly.
What Causes Sewer Lines to Break?
Some of the leading causes of broken sewer lines in our area include:
- Major clogs: Foreign objects or large accumulations of grease and debris can form in the sewer line, putting excess pressure on the plumbing and leading to cracks and leaks.
- Improper installation: If the line was put in at the wrong slope or without proper support, it could crack or shift over time.
- Tree root intrusions: Tree roots will always seek sources of water and nutrients, both of which are plentiful inside your sewer line. Over time, roots can invade the pipe, causing serious damage and clogs.
- Cracked or corroded pipes: Aging pipes are prone to failure due to material degradation and corrosion.
- Ground shifting: Pipe damage, such as cracks or bellied sewer lines, often occurs when the ground shifts, and soil settlement adds pressure to the underground plumbing.
Repair Options for a Broken or Cracked Sewer Line
Your sewer line is an underground pipe that runs from your home to the municipal sewer system or to your septic tank. The following are the two main options we have for sewer line repair:
Traditional sewer line repairs
Traditional sewer line repairs involve digging a trench to access the damaged pipe. We will remove any crushed, cracked, or failing sections and replace them with new pipes. This method is more invasive than the trenchless option, but it is often required when damage is severe.
Trenchless repairs
As the name suggests, trenchless repairs are done without digging a trench. Instead, we insert a bursting head that breaks the old pipe and simultaneously installs a new one, or we insert new liners into existing plumbing without major excavation.
When you choose Spencer Home Services, we’ll review the cost of your sewer line repair or replacement, the expected repair timeline, and what to expect. From Salem to Beverly, we work with our community members to provide the best solution, without cutting corners.
Contact Spencer Home Services for Sewer Line Repair
Spencer Home Services is a family-owned and operated business committed to providing excellent service to homes and businesses across Essex County and the North Shore, including Danvers, Lynn, and other nearby communities.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you notice any warning signs of a broken sewer line. We’re available now to provide sewer camera inspections, sewer line repairs, and emergency plumbing services, or to answer questions about sewer line permits. You can trust our reliable plumbing crew to do what’s right. We never take shortcuts and often offer same-day service, backed by an industry-leading 30-year parts-and-labor warranty for your peace of mind.
Call us at 978-293-5770 or contact us using our online form to schedule service. We work Monday through Saturday, and our answering service is available 24 hours a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I confirm a broken sewer line?
While some signs, such as slow drains and sewage backups, can indicate sewer line issues, the best way to confirm a broken sewer line is by scheduling a camera inspection. We’ll run a flexible, waterproof camera down the drain to find out exactly what’s happening in your sewer line.
Can a sewer line be partially broken?
Yes, partial breaks in sewer lines are more common than complete collapses. A partial break will slow water flow and impair functionality, but it may remain functional for months or even years before entirely collapsing.
How long does trenchless sewer repair last?
Trenchless repairs are long-lasting solutions. They’re designed to withstand regular plumbing wear and tear for decades, making them comparable to, or even better than, other repair methods.
