Key takeaways
- Several drains clogging at once points to the main line.
- Sewage smells and wet yard spots are red flags.
- A camera inspection shows the cause.
- Trenchless repair can reduce digging.
What a failing line looks like
The classic sign is more than one drain acting up at the same time: a slow tub, a gurgling toilet and a backed-up floor drain. Other signs include sewage smells indoors or in the yard, unusually green or soggy patches over the line, cracks in the foundation or slab and rodents or insects coming from drains.
Older Nashville neighborhoods with clay, cast iron and Orangeburg pipe are most at risk, along with any home that has large trees near the line.
Why sewer lines fail
Roots enter joints and grow into the pipe. Clay and cast iron crack or corrode, Orangeburg collapses, and soil movement creates low spots called bellies that hold waste. Grease and wipes make every one of these worse.
A line that was clogged once may simply need cleaning, while one that keeps clogging has a structural problem that cleaning cannot fix.
What to do about it
Start with a camera inspection. It shows where the problem is and what it is, so you only pay for the right repair. Depending on what the camera shows, the answer may be jetting, a spot repair, trenchless lining or a full replacement.
If you are buying an older home, a camera inspection before closing is one of the best-spent hundred dollars or so in the process.
Related services
Quick answers
How do I know if roots are in my sewer line?
Slow drains, gurgling and repeat clogs are common signs. A camera inspection confirms it and shows how far the roots reach.
Who is responsible for the sewer line?
In most places the homeowner owns the lateral from the house to the connection at the main, and the utility owns the main. Check with your sewer provider.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.