Plumbing problems are never pleasant, but a damaged sewer line can be the most stressful (and most expensive) to deal with.
The tricky part is that sewer lines are buried underground. Unlike a leaky faucet or clogged toilet, problems can go unnoticed until the damage is severe.
Homeowners often ask: How do I know if my sewer line is broken?
Fortunately, your sewer line will usually give you tell-tale signs before it fails completely. The most common are strange odors, slow drains, and even patches of bright green grass in your yard.
Ahead, we’ll discuss these signs in more detail so you’ll know how to spot them early and act on them quickly.
Diagnosing Sewer Line Problems
Identifying sewer line damage is difficult because you can’t see the pipes. The good thing is, there are professional methods that can take the guesswork out of the situation.
It starts with an inspection and, if needed, more advanced testing to uncover issues that aren’t immediately visible.
Here’s how a typical sewer line specialist gets to the bottom of it:
Sewer Line Inspection
A sewer line inspection is often the first step in diagnosing the problem and determining the right fix. It’s quick and minimally disruptive.
A technician threads a small, waterproof camera into your pipes, allowing them to view the interior. This process can reveal cracks, blockages, or invading tree roots without digging up your yard.
Hydrostatic Testing Sewer Lines
Sometimes, however, an inspection doesn’t tell the whole story. That’s when hydrostatic testing sewer lines becomes necessary.
This test involves filling the system with water and monitoring for leaks or pressure drops. Water escaping is a clear indicator of hidden cracks or breaks.
Along with an inspection, this gives a complete picture of how structurally sound (or unsound) your system is.
Signs Your Sewer Line Might Be Damaged
So, how can you tell if your sewer line is broken?
Because the line is buried underground, the symptoms don’t always point directly to the pipes. That said, your home and yard will usually send you signals that something is wrong.
These are the most common signs your sewer line is broken:
- Slow-draining sinks or tubs: When water lingers longer than it should, chances are there’s a partial blockage caused by buildup, tree roots, or a damaged pipe.
- Foul sewage odors inside or outside your home: Your sewer system is sealed. If you smell sewage, gases are escaping somewhere they shouldn’t, often through a crack or break in the line.
- Soggy patches in the yard or unexplained lush green areas: Leaking wastewater can saturate the ground. The nutrients in sewage can also cause grass to grow faster and greener in those wet spots.
- Gurgling sounds in your pipes: Odd noises after flushing or draining are a sign of trapped air, which often means a blockage or break is disrupting the normal flow.
- Sewage backups in toilets or tubs: This is the most serious and obvious symptom. When waste has nowhere to go, it comes back up into your home.
Common Causes of Sewer Line Damage
Understanding what leads to sewer line problems can help you prevent them. While some causes are beyond your control, many can be anticipated and addressed before they turn into emergencies.
So, what damages your sewer line? Let’s take a look at the common culprits:
Tree Roots Damage Sewer Lines
First on the list of the major offenders are tree roots. Sewer lines are an easy target for large trees (like figs, willows, and poplars) with invasive, water-seeking roots.
Even the tiniest crack in your pipes can leak enough moisture to attract them. Once the roots sneak inside, they can spread out like a net, catching debris.
Gradually, this can restrict flow and build pressure, causing cracks to widen or the pipe to break completely.
Old Sewer Lines
Pipes don’t last forever. Old sewer materials, like clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg, are known to deteriorate with age.
Clay was once a popular sewer material because of its resistance to acids. The problem is that clay pipes are installed in short sections with joints, their weak spots.
As the ground shifts or heavy loads press down from above, the joints can separate or crack. This makes clay pipes susceptible to root intrusion.
Meanwhile, the main issue with cast iron pipes is corrosion. Rust can eat away at the pipe walls from the inside out, and the roughened surface can trap waste, clogging your sewer line.
Then there are Orangeburg pipes, which were widely used after World War II. Made with bituminous fiber (basically paper soaked in tar), they were an affordable alternative to heavier materials.
However, Orangeburg pipes absorb moisture, blister, and deform under pressure. Many have already collapsed after decades of use, and those still in the ground are ticking time bombs.
Clogged Sewer Line
We’ve all dealt with a clogged drain at some point, but a clogged sewer line is a different story. Flushing wipes, grease, or too much paper can cause major blockages.
Wipes (even the ones labeled “flushable”) don’t break down the way toilet paper does, and grease solidifies inside the pipes.
Repeated or widespread clogs can stress your sewer line and burst your pipe if left untreated.
Ground Shifts & Natural Disaster
Since your sewer is buried underground, it’s at the mercy of the soil around it. The ground settling over time or soil expanding after heavy rain can cause pipes to shift. Even minor movements can cause joints to loosen or small cracks to appear over the years.
Natural disasters are even bigger ground-shifting events that can do instant damage. Earthquakes can completely snap pipes in a matter of seconds. Flooding can wash away supporting soil, leaving sections of pipe exposed.
Poor Sewer Line Installation
Not every sewer problem is caused by age or nature. Sometimes it comes down to how the line was put in.
If the pipe wasn’t installed at the right slope, wastewater won’t flow the way it should, and solids can settle and build up.
If joints weren’t sealed well or the wrong materials were used, you’re more likely to end up with leaks and cracks long before the pipe should have worn out.
Older homes may have sewer lines that were patched together with whatever materials were on hand, while newer homes can still suffer from sloppy work during construction.
Either way, poor installation often means recurring problems, no matter how many times you call a plumber to clear the line.
Sewer Line Maintenance
Your sewer line handles every sink, shower, toilet, and appliance in the house. And because it’s responsible for such an important job (that is, eliminating all your wastewater), keeping it in good condition is essential.
Clogs, roots, and structural problems can quietly turn into expensive repairs or health hazards. But there are easy checks you can do yourself to catch trouble early:
- Find the exterior cleanout (usually a capped pipe). Make sure it’s accessible, capped tightly, and not cracked. Remove the cap (wear gloves) and get rid of backed-up sewage.
- Never flush wipes, sanitary products, or grease. Use sink strainers and empty them regularly.
- Pour hot (not boiling) water with a little dish soap down the kitchen drain once a week to help keep grease moving.
- For routine maintenance, use enzyme-based drain cleaners. They eat organic buildup slowly, without harsh chemicals.
If you have large trees near the sewer run, roots will eventually look for moisture and enter any weak point.
Cutting roots out of your sewer line can buy you time, but it’s rarely a permanent solution. The most reliable fix is still removing or relocating the tree.
If you want to keep the tree, you can try these options (keep in mind that the roots will usually grow back):
- Mechanical root cutting: A plumber will run a special cutting tool through the sewer line to slice through invading roots.
- Hydro-jetting: High-pressure water is used to blast out roots, grease, and debris. It’s more thorough than cutting, but it should only be used if the pipe is in sound condition.
- Foaming root killers: Certain foaming products coat the inside of the pipe with a herbicidal treatment that kills small root fibers and discourages regrowth.
What to Do if You Suspect Sewer Line Damage
Here’s what you can do if you notice signs your sewer line is broken:
- Stop using water immediately. Running faucets, flushing toilets, or doing laundry can push more wastewater toward the damaged area, worsening leaks or backups.
- Keep kids and pets away from contaminated areas since sewage and sewer gases can make one sick.
- Locate and check the sewer cleanout. Open the threaded cap and let the accumulated sewage drain out, if there’s any. Feed a sewer snake or auger into the pipe to break up the clog.
- Call a professional. A plumber can perform a camera inspection to see exactly where and how bad the damage is.
Contact A Sewer Line Specialist
If your attempts at declogging don’t work, the smartest next step is to bring in a professional. A sewer line specialist has the tools and experience to get to the root of the problem (literally).
They’ll usually start with a camera inspection, running a small video scope through the line so you can actually see what’s going on inside your pipes.
This helps pinpoint whether you’re dealing with a simple blockage, invading tree roots, or a more serious issue like a collapsed pipe.
From there, they’ll walk you through repair options, whether that’s clearing the line, trenchless pipe lining, or a full replacement.
This might feel like a big step, but it saves time, money, and stress in the long run.
FAQs
How long do sewer lines last?
That depends on the pipe material, quality of installation, and external factors, like soil conditions or nearby trees.
In terms of materials used, modern plastic pipes made of PVC or ABS can last 50–100 years if properly installed. Vitrified clay pipes (VCP) are just as durable, with a useful life of at least 50 years.
That said, lifespans are just estimates. A newer pipe can fail early due to poor installation or ground movement, while an older one might last longer if conditions are ideal.
How much does it cost to repair a sewer line?
The cost varies depending on the severity of the damage and the kind of repair needed.
- Clearing a simple clog with snaking or hydro-jetting: $150–$800
- Spot repairs for localized cracks or breaks: $1,000–$3,000
- Trenchless pipe bursting (the old pipe is broken apart while a new one is pulled into place through the same path): $60–$200 per foot
- Trenchless pipe lining (a resin-coated liner is inserted into the existing pipe and hardened to form a new pipe inside): $80–$250 per foot
- Full sewer line replacement (traditional dig-and-replace): $6,000–$20,000+
Factors that affect cost include pipe material, accessibility, local labor rates, and whether permits are required in your area.
