Have your drains been acting strangely lately? Your sewer line usually gives warning signs before it fails completely. Catching them early can mean a smaller repair and less damage to your home.
We offer drain camera inspections, cleaning and sewer repair across Toronto, Peel and Halton. Here are the signs we tell homeowners to watch for.
1. Several slow drains at once
One slow sink is usually a local clog. When the tub, toilet and floor drain all slow down together, the problem is often further along, in the main line.
2. Gurgling toilets and drains
Gurgling happens when air is trapped by a partial blockage. If your toilet bubbles when the washing machine drains, the sewer line may be restricted.
3. Backups in the floor drain
Water coming up through the basement floor drain is a strong sign of a main line problem, because the floor drain is the lowest point in the system.
4. Sewer smells in the basement
A sewer smell can come from a dry floor drain trap, which is easy to fix by pouring water into it. If the smell persists, it can point to a cracked pipe or a failed seal.
5. Soggy patches or lush grass in the yard
A leaking sewer lateral can soak the soil above it. A wet patch or a strip of unusually green grass between the house and the street is worth checking.
6. Repeated clogs after cleaning
If the line clears and then clogs again within weeks or months, tree roots or a sagging section are likely. Cleaning helps for a while, but it does not fix the pipe.
7. An older home with its original line
Many GTA homes still have their original clay or cast iron laterals. Even without symptoms, a camera inspection before you finish a basement or buy a home is a smart step.
What to do next
Book a camera inspection. We will show you the footage, explain what we see and recommend the least disruptive fix, from cleaning to trenchless repair to replacement. If sewage is backing up right now, call our 24/7 line.
