6” PVC drain looks clean.
Cast iron sewer pipe with a mass blocking 3 quarters of the diameter.
This drain is slow moving due to large amounts of grease stuck to the side of the pipe.
Tree roots have penetrated the drain pipe.
New sewer access plugs indicate some sewer work, usually cleaning, has been needed in the past.
Water stains provides symptoms of a potential sewer problem.
Walls or floors cracking indicate movement of the foundation.
Home Owner Information
Tell Tale Signs of Sewer Problems
Sewer problems often leave "Tell-Tale" signs that you can easily identify during a routine walk-through inspection of a property.
Replaced "Clean Out" Plugs
Sewer lines usually have a "clean out" access that is normally situated on the main sewer line in the basement, crawl-space, or outside the house. In residential construction prior to the 1980's, a brass "plug" was used. If the original plug has been replaced with one of those pictured here, some sewer work, usually cleaning, has been needed in the past.
Service Stickers
The presence of these stickers on or near sewer pipes often indicates the sewer has given the owner problems at some point. In addition, they may also indicate that the property is on a "preventative maintenance" program for regular cleaning to prevent future back-ups.
Water Staining
Water stains around the floor drain in the basement are an obvious sign the sewer line is not draining properly. Because the floor drain is usually the lowest access point to the sewer, it provides some of the first symptoms of a sewer problem.
Structural Damage
Walls or floors cracking indicate movement of the foundation. Shifting foundations can be caused from excessive water in the soil which may be coming from a broken underground sewer line. Other "Tell-Tale" signs of a broken sewer are: sink holes, foul odors, water stains on walls or floor, or concrete patches over drill holes from "mud jacking" operations.