What are the signs of a sewer line problem?
- Several drains back up together. A single slow sink is a local clog. A toilet, tub and floor drain all backing up is the main line.
- Water comes up in the tub or shower when the toilet is flushed or the washing machine drains.
- Toilets gurgle or bubble.
- The same clog returns weeks after it was cleared.
- Sewer smell in the house, the crawl space or the yard.
- A soggy, sunken or unusually green strip in the yard along the line.
- Sewage at the cleanout outside.
- More pests, since rodents and insects use breaks in sewer pipe.
What causes sewer lines to fail?
- Tree roots. Roots find the joints in old clay pipe and grow inside it.
- Age. Clay cracks and its joints shift. Cast iron rusts through.
- Ground movement. Settling soil and earthquakes offset joints and crack pipe.
- A sag, where a low spot holds water and solids.
- Grease and wipes, which build up, mostly where the pipe is already rough or damaged.
Is it a clog or a broken pipe?
You cannot tell from inside the house, and neither can we without looking. A clog in a sound pipe is cleared and stays cleared. If the pipe is cracked, offset or full of roots, clearing it buys a few weeks or months. That is why a line that keeps backing up should be looked at by camera.
How does a camera inspection work?
We run a camera from a cleanout through the line to the street and watch it on screen with you. You see the roots, the crack or the sag, and we mark how far down the line it is. See sewer camera inspection.
What are the fixes?
- Clearing or hydro jetting, when the pipe is sound. See main sewer line clogs.
- A spot repair, when one section is broken.
- Replacing the line, by open trench or by trenchless methods. See how we choose between them.
Full details are on our sewer line repair and replacement page. You get the video, the choices and a free written estimate.
Does this matter when selling a house?
Yes. Several East Bay sewer agencies require the sewer lateral to pass a test at a sale or a large remodel. See sewer lateral compliance.
Who is Friendly Services?
A family-owned plumbing company with over 20 years in Hayward. License CSLB #1156315 (C-36 plumbing), $1M general liability cover and workers' comp. Our own work has a five-year workmanship warranty, and we have 100+ five-star reviews online. We answer 24/7 for emergencies.