7 Warning Signs Your Sewer Line is About to Fail

The sewer line running from your house to the street is one of the most expensive things to replace in a home — often $5,000-$15,000+. Catching problems early can mean a $400 spot repair instead of a full replacement.

The warning signs

1. Multiple drains slow at once — when more than one drain is sluggish, the issue is usually downstream in the main line
2. Gurgling toilet — air is being pushed back up through traps because the main line isn't venting properly
3. Sewage smell outdoors or in basement — line is cracked or backing up
4. Soft or sunken spots in the yard — line is leaking underground
5. Lush green patches in an otherwise dry lawn — sewage fertilizing the grass above the leak
6. Foundation cracks near the line — soil shifting due to water erosion from a leaking line
7. Rats or insects appearing — they're entering through breaks in the line

What to do

Get a camera inspection. It costs $200-400 and tells you exactly what's going on. If the line has a small problem, a spot repair or hydro-jet may be all you need. If it's failing systemically, trenchless replacement is far less disruptive than open excavation.