What Are Signs of a Sewage Backup?

Sewage backups are as alarming as they are disgusting and hazardous. As soon as sewage starts to back up in your home’s plumbing system, it can cause all sorts of problems and damage—and the longer the backup is overlooked, the worse it can get and the more damage it can cause.

The good news is that knowing the signs of a sewage backup can help you take immediate action to fix the problem and prevent additional damage.

7 Most Common Signs of Sewage Backups

1. Sewage-like odors coming from your drains: Your drains should be transporting wastewater away and outside of your home. So, any foul stench coming from your drains—or a persisting sewage smell in your home—can be a telltale sign of a main line sewer backup.
2. Bubbling drains or toilets: If air bubbles are coming up through your drains and toilets when you’re using them, wastewater probably can’t flow through your plumbing system as it should. And if wastewater isn’t able to pass through your system, it’ll start backing up because it has nowhere else to go. So, bubbling drains and toilets tend to be among the first red flags of sewage backups.
3. Slow draining in multiple fixtures: When wastewater can’t pass through your pipes and sewer line, multiple drains will be slow. This problem typically starts with the lowest drains in your home as the backup creeps up your piping and sewer line. So, if your basement or first-floor drains are all slow to clear wastewater, take it as a sign that you could be dealing with a sewage backup problem.
4. Clogs in many drains at one time: Similar to the previous sign, if more than one drain in your home is clogged and not letting wastewater pass through at all, a sewage backup is likely to blame. Like slow drainage problems, these drain clogs will usually affect the lowest drains in your home first.
5. Bizarre behaviors from one plumbing fixture when using another: This red flag can come in various forms, like a sewage backup in the shower when flushing the toilet or backups in sinks when using a washing machine.
6. Sewage coming out of a cleanout pipe: The sewer cleanout pipe is a capped pipe that provides direct access to the sewer line. When the sewer line backs up, wastewater can be pushed up through the cleanout pipe, which is usually outside or in a basement. So, if sewage is coming out of a pipe in the yard or basement, a sewage backup is likely to blame.
7. Standing water in a sewer cleanout pipe: Before wastewater spills out of a cleanout pipe, it may sit in the pipe for a while while the backup builds. So, if you’re experiencing other signs of a sewage backup, it’s a good idea to check your cleanout pipe. If you notice standing water in it, again, you’re likely dealing with a sewage backup problem.

Have you noticed these signs of a sewage backup? If so, call Len The Plumber at 800-950-4619 for emergency service at no extra charge!

We proudly offer FREE estimates and 2-hour response times for sewage backups and other sewer line emergencies.

What Causes Sewage Backups?

Sewage backups can be caused by various problems, like sewer line:

• Clogs
• Cracks or breaks
• Collapses
• Tree root infiltration

The best way to stop and fix sewage backups is to identify and repair the source of the problem.

Get Expert Help Fixing a Sewage Backup: Contact Len The Plumber

Don’t ignore the signs of sewage backups. As soon as you notice these red flags, contact Len The Plumber for fast, reliable help. When it comes to sewer line problems, we’ve seen and fixed it all! That means our local plumbers know how to clear a main sewer line clog, repair or replace damaged sewer lines, and get the job done right the first time!

Call Len The Plumber at 800-950-4619 for emergency sewer line service at no extra charge. We offer FREE estimates and 2-hour response times for sewer line emergencies.

You can also contact us online for non-emergency sewer line service.

With Len The Plumber, you can always expect:

• FREE estimates and upfront pricing
• Zero extra fees for after-hours or emergency service
• First-class service and the highest-quality solutions!

Len The Plumber has been offering exceptional plumbing services throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. for more than two decades. That’s just one reason why we’re a top-rated local plumbing company!

We invite you to experience our excellence for yourself, and we look forward to helping you with any of your plumbing needs!