The last thing any homeowner wants is a sewer backup. They’re messy, smelly, and pose health risks. Cleaning up a sewer backup requires hiring a professional team to make your living space habitable again. You can avoid the brunt of a backup by knowing what to watch for and acting fast at the first sign of trouble.
5 Warning Signs of Sewer Problems
Be on the lookout for these clear indicators that you might have a sewer issue.
Gurgling Noises From Your Drains or Toilets
If you notice your toilet gurgling or bubbles rising up in the kitchen sink when other fixtures are in use, that’s not normal. It usually means wastewater is struggling to flow down the drain. This resistance often signals a clog or blockage in the sewer line that’s preventing proper drainage.
Foul Odors Coming From Drains or the Yard
A persistent sewage smell inside your house or in the yard is a red flag. When waste backs up in the sewer line, gases escape through fixtures or clean-out points. These odors rarely go away on their own and indicate that sewage is stuck somewhere in the pipe.
Slow Drains or Repeated Clogs in Multiple Fixtures
When more than one drain slows down or clogs simultaneously, the issue likely runs deeper than a single sink or toilet. Multiple slow drains often point to a blockage in the main sewer line rather than one isolated fixture. This sign is especially alarming if the problem first appears in the lowest drains in your home, including the basement.
Wastewater Backs Up When Using Other Fixtures
If flushing the toilet causes dirty water to flow backwards into the bathtub or sink, there’s probably no other pathway for wastewater to go. Fixtures are cross-connected downstream, so when the main line is clogged, water retreats through the lowest available drains, such as your basement bathroom tub and sink. This reverse flow means sewage is running backwards through your home’s plumbing.
Standing Water at the Sewer Clean‑out or Yard Drain
Philadelphia homes often have an external clean‑out pipe somewhere on the property. If you spot standing water or sewage pooling around yard drains, this suggests the sewer main isn’t flowing properly. Clean‑outs are meant to relieve system pressure, not hold water. If it’s full, you can bet the sewer line is blocked.
What To Do if You Suspect a Sewer Backup
The moment you notice any of these signs, contact a licensed plumber like the team at Unique Indoor Comfort. Early intervention can stop a sewer backup from becoming a full‑scale disaster.
Our trained plumbers can inspect the line and locate the blockage using a specially designed camera. Once they know the location and cause of the blockage, they can resolve the issue before raw sewage floods your yard or basement. Your fast action can reduce cleanup costs and prevent health hazards for your family.
Call Our Team for Expert Sewer Repair
If you’re looking for emergency sewer repair in Greater Philadelphia, Unique Indoor Comfort is ready to help. We’re available 24/7, so you don’t have to wait around while your sewer problem gets worse. We deliver work with honesty, reliability, and integrity, and we stand behind everything we do with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our team takes pride in our unmatched customer service and ability to deliver a job well done the first time, every time.
Contact us today to schedule professional sewer repair and prevent further damage from backups.
