Trees are always on the hunt for nutrients and water, and a compromised sewer line is a great source. Even a small crack can quickly become problematic as roots will sense that moisture and gravitate to it. Once the roots intrude, they will continue to grow and widen the crack until they cause a full blockage. While trees make a yard beautiful, their underground reach can create trouble you never see coming.

Unusual Drain Behavior

Once the roots have taken over your sewer line, the drains in your home will move slower. While a problem with one drain is fixture-specific, issues with all drains are indicative of sewer line troubles.

Gurgling Noises and Strange Smells

When water is running and draining, you should not hear gurgling noises. If you do, this means that air is trapped inside your pipes via a blockage caused by the roots. Air bubbles will escape through openings in the blockage.

Along with the noises, a foul odor might creep up through sinks, tubs, or even your yard. Roots that grow large enough will trap waste inside the pipes, and when waste cannot move freely, it will smell up your yard and home.

Backups and Overflows

Nothing grabs your attention faster than raw sewage backing up into your home. If wastewater rises into the tub after flushing the toilet, or if the floor drain in your basement spits out raw sewage, the tree roots are likely choking the sewer line.

These backups will start out small at first, and you may feel like you can brush them off; however, this will be a big mistake. Before you know it, you will have thousands of dollars in damage to your home.

Changes in Your Yard

While lush, green grass can make you the envy of the neighborhood, a yard with spots that are much greener than others is a problem. If you notice an area of your yard that is thicker and greener, a leak in your sewer line may be providing the nutrients.

In severe cases, the ground near tree lines may be wet or sinking. Never ignore these ground changes because they are often the result of damaged pipes.

Why Acting Early Matters

If you act quickly, you catch the problem and fix it before it gets out of control. A sewer line replacement is more expensive than an early repair. Not to mention, you can keep your family safe from health hazards. Any exposure to raw sewage is dangerous. Short-term exposure can cause respiratory problems and nausea. Prolonged contact can lead to organ failure in extreme cases.

Tree roots will continue to grow, which means that your sewer line will fail entirely if you do not address the problem. By watching for these signals and acting early, you protect your home from a problem that too many people catch only after it’s too late. To address issues with sewer lines in your Durham, NC home, call Harmon Plumbing, and we will find and fix the problem and get you back in business.