Signs of Sewer Line Trouble

Why it matters to the pipes

Every drain in the house empties into one building drain, which leaves through the foundation as the sewer lateral. If that line is blocked, cracked or collapsed, the trouble affects the whole household at once, and the lowest openings, usually the basement floor drain or toilet, overflow first. Because the lateral runs beneath the front yard, and often under a tree or a driveway, damage there can develop for years without any visible symptom indoors. Catching the early signs gives you time to arrange an inspection rather than an emergency.

The steps, in order

Go through this list calmly. One sign on its own may be a minor local clog; several together point to the main line.

1. Several fixtures slow at once. A slow tub and a slow basin on the same floor may share a branch. Slow drains on every floor suggest the main.
2. Gurgling from other fixtures. If the toilet bubbles when the washing machine drains, air is struggling past a restriction.
3. Water at the floor drain. Water rising from the basement drain during laundry or a shower is one of the clearest signs.
4. Sewage smell indoors or in the yard. Persistent odours, especially with damp patches, can indicate a break.
5. Lush strips of lawn. An unusually green line across the front lawn may follow a leaking lateral.
6. Repeat clogs. If the main has needed clearing more than once in a year, something structural is likely.

Common missteps

• Pouring chemical drain openers into a main line blockage. They do not reach it and make the work hazardous.
• Repeatedly clearing the line without finding the cause.
• Assuming the City is responsible. Generally, the portion on your property is yours.
• Ignoring trees. Roots are one of the most common causes in older Etobicoke neighbourhoods; see tree roots in sewer lines.

When to ring for help

Call as soon as you see water coming up through a floor drain, or when more than one fixture is affected. We clear the line, then recommend a camera inspection to see whether roots, a sag or a break is involved. The results decide whether maintenance, a spot repair or replacement makes sense. If the floor drain itself is damaged, our floor drain repair page explains what is involved.

In older parts of Etobicoke, clay and cast-iron laterals laid sixty or seventy years ago are near the end of their expected service. A camera inspection is often a sensible step when buying such a house. Knowing the history of the line, including any past repairs and the date of the last clearing, helps us judge what is likely going on. For a visit, ring (365) 816-2905.