A broken sewer line is the last thing any homeowner wants to deal with. But, as with any plumbing issue, it happens! And although it may feel stressful in the moment, nothing is unfixable. At Ben Franklin, we’ve seen it all, and sewer line repair is part of our job.

Whether you have a septic or sewer system, broken lines are a problem that requires addressing as soon as possible. There are many ways and causes of breaks, but we’re going to focus on the signs that indicate you have one.

The first step in addressing a broken sewer line is identifying the issue. Here are ten of the most common indicators of a sewer line issue:

Common Signs of Broken Sewer Lines

The Top 10 Most Common Signs of Broken Sewer Lines

1. Sewer Smell

Usually, one of the first signs of a sewer line is a bad odor.

Even though sewer gas can wind up in your home for other reasons—including a dried-out drain preventing the DWV system from functioning correctly—a strong sewer line smell can be an indication of a sewer backup or broken line, even under the foundation of your home.

That’s why it’s important to pay attention to any unusual smells and take them seriously.

The most common areas of the home for sewer odor is the basement. However, a sewer smell out in your yard may be an indication of a broken line in the property outside your home.

2. Gurgling Toilet

Any unusual noise coming from the toilet is never a good sign. If your toilet makes a gurgling sound after you flush, it could be a sign of a broken sewer line.

While toilets flushing on their own can indicate other problems, gurgling is essentially just the sound of air being trapped and released. Hearing this sound is likely an indication that air is being introduced into your sewer line which is exiting out of the bowl.

3. Pests in Your Home

Because insects and rodents can travel through sewer lines, if they wind up inside your home, it could be a sign of a break in the line that pests can fit through and enter your home.

Leaking lines can also create the perfect environment for some insects, like beetles and gnats, to reproduce, often meaning that they are found much more often in your home.

Suddenly dealing with a lot of bugs is a big warning sign that something could be going on with your plumbing.

4. Slow Drains

Of course, isolated clogs are common in any home. But if you find that all the drains in your home seem clogged or slow to drain, it could be a sign of a broken sewer line.

Especially if you find that your own efforts to clear the drain aren’t working, calling a professional to assess the situation is a good idea.

5. Sewage Backup in Your Toilet or Tub

Even though sewage backing up in your home is more likely a sign of a clogged pipe (rather than a broken one), it’s still a clear indication that your sewer line is in need of some serious attention.

6. Mold or Mildew On Your Ceilings or Walls

The growth of mold and mildew is an indication that moisture is present. While there are many types of leaks that could cause mold in your home, a sewage leak is just as likely as any to create a mold problem.

7. Cracks in Your Walls

If the sewage line beneath your house is leaking, it could cause some of the earth beneath your home to shift. This type of movement will likely lead to cracks in your walls and could become quite serious. If you start to notice new cracking in your walls, it’s important to address the issue immediately before it causes structural or foundation damage.

8. Unusually Green Patches on Your Lawn

Because fecal matter is a natural fertilizer, the presence of sewage beneath the surface of your lawn could cause your grass to grow a little greener in certain spots. But because sewage also contains bacteria, it’s likely that the leak would eventually damage or destroy your landscaping.

9. Indentations in Your Lawn

When sewage is present below the earth’s surface, the moisture causes the soil to become displaced and the layer on top tends to sink. If you notice that areas of your lawn have developed indentations, it could be a sign of a sewer line leak.

10. Sewage in Your Lawn

While it may seem to be a bit of a no brainer, sewage pooling in your lawn is a clear sign of a problem. In fact, any unexplained puddle on your property, including in your basement, should be investigated as soon as possible.

This can either indicate a broken water line, broken sewer line, or an issue with your septic tank and should be addressed immediately.

10 Signs of a Broken Sewer Line