Most homeowners don’t think about what’s happening underground until something starts bubbling up in the worst way.If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I know if something is wrong with my sewer line?” you’re not alone. Typically, that question arises after a clog, a strange smell or perhaps the sudden emergence of an equally puzzling soggy patch in the yard.
Here’s a look at the signs your home may be due for a sewer lateral inspection, and why it pays to pay attention now, not just after something goes terribly wrong.
First off, what’s a sewer lateral?
Your sewer lateral is the underground pipe that connects your house’s plumbing to the city’s main sewer line. You never see it. You don’t hear it. But it handles everything that goes down your toilets, sinks, tubs, and washing machine.
And when that pipe gets damaged, clogged, broken, or invaded by tree roots — well, things can get messy, fast.
1. Your drains are slow, gurgly, or backing up (and not just one)
A clogged kitchen sink? Annoying, but manageable. But if more than one drain is moving slowly or gurgling or worse, backing up that probably indicates a larger issue.
This is one of the most frequent signs that something may be wrong with your sewer line. If water is pooling up in your tub or basement every time you flush the toilet or wash a load of laundry, you should take that seriously.
This is not a mere plumbing issue. It’s a red flag that there could be a blockage, break or collapse somewhere in your sewer lateral line.
2. You’ve noticed a funky smell you can’t ignore
Let’s be honest. If you smell sewage in or around your home, it’s not something to ignore. Even if it is faint, the smell can be an alert that sewage isn’t moving as it should — and may be leaking somewhere further down the line.
Inside the building, that smell can enter through floor drains, basements or bathrooms. Outdoors it may float above a portion of the yard. That’s not just unpleasant. It’s a reminder for you to set up a sewer lateral camera inspection in PA before it’s full-blown sewage chaos.
3. Your lawn has patches that seem “too healthy” or always wet
This one surprises a lot of people. If you’ve got one area of your yard that’s suddenly looking lush and green; or, worse, squishy and soggy and it hasn’t rained in three days – your sewer lateral might be leaking quietly beneath your feet.
When it breaks or cracks, it sends moisture (and nutrients) into the soil. That’s pretty much fertilizer for the grass, but also a potential health hazard. You may not see the leak at first, but the ground does.
Notice this, don’t assume there’s been some good luck or overwatering going on. Perhaps it is time to scratch beneath the surface.
Inquire about home inspection services
Looking for a reliable home inspection service in Newtown Square, West Chester, Paoli, and nearby areas? Look no further than Batten to Beam! I conduct a thorough evaluation of specific areas such as foundations inspections, termites inspections, radon inspections, or sewer lateral inspections. Trust Batten to Beam for your home inspection needs
4. You live in an older home with mature trees nearby
This isn’t exactly a warning sign It’s more of a risk factor that homeowners tend to ignore. If your home was built before the ’80s, there’s a good chance that your sewer lateral is made of something that doesn’t age well (clay or cast iron).
Now throw in those lovely, large trees out back. Their roots are always seeking moisture, after all and sewer lines offer the perfect source. Getting a sewer inspection from an inspection company can help you avoid a surprise blockage and a repair bill that runs into the thousands.
Even if you’re not experiencing those symptoms yet, it can be a smart thing to do. To learn what’s going on beneath, get a sewer inspection to avoid a surprise ultrasound and an emergency repair bill in the several-thousand-dollar range.
5. You’ve had frequent clogs or paid for more than one drain cleaning recently
One clog? Fine. Two? Maybe. But if your plumber’s number is starting to feel like a speed dial, there could be something deeper going on.
Most homeowners continue to clear clogs at the surface without knowing that there is a larger problem further down. It’s not unheard of for us to snake someone’s drain only to have them call back a few weeks later.
That’s why we suggest doing a sewer lateral camera inspection and seeing what’s going on. You can do this without touching anything, and a fast visual check will reveal whether you are contending with a buildup, a sagging pipe, or even a full break.
Why waiting can cost you more
Let’s be honest — no one wants to think about their sewer system.But the reason catching a problem early is so much cheaper than replacing a whole pipe that has crumpled into an accordion on itself and no longer works which will involve chopping up part of your lawn, driveway or sidewalk is not because it’s particularly hard for professionals to replace sections, once they’ve managed to successfully diagnose them.
In Pennsylvania, homeowners are typically responsible for their own sewer lateral up to the connection point. That means if it collapses or backs up, you’re on the hook — not the city.
A simple inspection today could save you from unexpected repair costs and a massive headache later.
What a sewer lateral inspection actually involves
At Batten to Beam Inspections, we perform non-invasive sewer lateral camera inspections in PA using high-resolution, waterproof video cameras. We send the camera through the sewer line to see the exact condition of the pipe from inside.
No digging. No guesswork. Just clear answers. And once we’ve seen what’s happening, we’ll explain it in plain language — not contractor speak — and tell you whether you need to act now or just keep an eye on things.
The bottom line
If you’ve been wondering, “How do you know if something is wrong with your sewer line?” — the answer might already be bubbling up. Listen to your drains. Watch your yard. Trust your nose.
And don’t wait until a bad smell turns into a full-on emergency. Schedule a sewer lateral inspection and get peace of mind that everything is flowing the way it should.
Schedule Your Inspection with Batten to Beam
Serving Newtown Square and the surrounding counties, Batten to Beam Inspections offers expert sewer inspections as part of our comprehensive home evaluation services. Whether you’re noticing warning signs or just want to stay ahead of expensive repairs, we’ve got you covered.
