
What happens when your sewer line breaks?
Sewer line repair and plumbing are two things that a homeowner dreads about homeownership, among those things is sewer line repair. The picture that is conjured up in the mind is a destroyed yard as the plumber finds the problem area and then repairs it.
Fortunately, today, sewer line repair without digging is possible. If you’ve never had sewer line issues before though, you may not know what indicates your home needs sewer line repair. To that end, we’re going to answer basic questions that can help you realize there is a problem and what needs to be done.
The sewer lines are running underground and wastewater that includes liquids and solids leaves your home through those sewer lines and flow into the municipal sewer system. When the sewer line breaks, that wastewater seeps out at the breaks and cracks.
When left alone, it keeps seeping, and the bacteria and germs begin to spread through your plumbing and into your home. It will ruin the foundation of your home, weakening the structure and creating more damage that will need additional repair along with the sewer line repairs.
What are the signs of a broken sewer pipe?
If the plumbing in your home is twenty five years old or older, it is probably cast iron and it is probably starting show the signs of the time and you may not realize it. At this age, if there are trees around or near your home, the tree roots have probably reached those cast iron pipes already, cracking them and misaligning the connections. Here are 10 indications that your home is need of sewer line repair:
- Backup and Blockage: If you are experiencing regular backups and blockages, your sewer lines could be broken, cracked, or deteriorating. The tree roots could be the issue, or they are simply old and you need sewer line repair or replacement.
- Gas Odor: When sewer gas odors are noticeable in or around your home, this is a strong indication of a sewer line crack. When you can smell sewer gas, you need sewer line repair, sooner rather than later.
- Mold: If you have sewer odor, you probably have mold growth behind the walls of your home too. Sewer line leaks creates humidity and moisture and mold only needs 55% humidity to start growing. Once mold forms, it spreads fast and along with the sewer odor, you’re going to have that musty mold smell too.
- Slow Drains: Slow drains are often indication of blockage that will lead to a sewer backup in time. That slow drain could be your bathtub, sinks, or toilet, all from sewer lines that have broken, cracked, or have tree root intrusion and channeling.
- Extra Lush Green Grass: If you’ve noticed an area in your yard that an extra lush, green grass, it is possible there is sewer line leak under the ground there. As smelling a sewer is, it is a fertilizer, providing your grass extra nutrients. You should have a plumber check this area for possible sewer line repair. Another indicator of underground sewer issue is an indentation in the lawn or under walkways.
- Foundation Cracking, Settling, Sinking: When the main sewer line under your home develops any cracks, or begins to settle and sink, it is like there is a sewer line leak in the slab.
- Insects and Rodents: Insects and rodents love sewer lines and the wastewater that comes from them. If your sewer lines need repair, there is a strong possibility that you have insects and rodents living in them, working their way into your home.
When should I replace my main sewer line?
If you live in a home that is 25 years or older, you may want to have your sewer lines inspected by a professional plumber. They are probably made of cast iron and some of it may already be in deteriorating, ready for either sewer line repair or replace. Once you have your sewer line repaired or replaced, you can expect them to last another 50 years or longer.
How long does it take to repair a sewer line?
The average time for sewer line repairs is between one and three days. There are many factors that can affect this time frame, like where the sewer pipe is located, the size of the pipe, and how much and what damage has taken place. There are some sewer line repair jobs that can take up to five days to complete.

Can you patch a sewer line?
Thanks to new technology in the plumbing industry, if the sewer line isn’t too damaged too far up and down the line, then yes, sewer line patching is possible. Because of that technology, plumbers are able to get to those areas needing sewer line repairs or replacement without destroying the lawn.
Unfortunately, the chance that sewer line repair homeowners insurance is not covered. Possibly the damage to the house or belongings could be covered if the sewer line damage isn’t deemed to be homeowner’s neglect by the insurance agent. Review your policy before you need sewer line repair so that you know where you stand should the need arise. Call 708-934-4115 today for your sewer line repair needs in Oak Park, Il.