7 Main Causes of Sewer Damage (Plus Prevention Tips Every Homeowner Should Know)

Sewer line issues can develop slowly or appear suddenly. Either way, they can lead to leaking pipes, foul smell in your home, and even expensive property damage. Understanding the common causes helps you take action before the problem becomes severe.

Below are the top reasons sewer lines fail — and what to look for to protect your home.

1. Tree Root Intrusion in Sewer Lines

Tree roots naturally seek out moisture. Sewer lines offer a steady supply, which makes them a prime target. Over time, roots push into small cracks or pipe joints. Once inside, they expand and trap debris.

This intrusion often causes blockages, sewage backups, and cracks in older pipes. Left untreated, roots may collapse the line entirely. When this happens, homeowners may need both sewer damage cleanup and partial pipe replacement.

Routine inspections can catch early root growth before major damage occurs.

2. Aging or Deteriorating Pipes

Old sewer pipes eventually wear out. Materials like cast iron, clay, or Orangeburg break down with age. These pipes become brittle and vulnerable to pressure changes.

When deterioration advances, it leads to leaks, misaligned sections, and recurring clogs. Aging systems are also more prone to sewage backups during heavy water use. If leaks spread into walls or flooring, you may also need water damage restoration to prevent mold growth.

If your home is older than 40 years, regular camera inspections are essential.

3. Soil Shifting and Ground Movement

Soil expands in wet seasons and contracts during dry periods. This movement places stress on underground lines. Over time, the pressure can cause cracks, pipe sagging, or complete disconnection.

Shifted pipes create uneven flow, which traps waste and may trigger sewage backups inside your home. Shifting soil can also break seals and lead to leaking pipes and a persistent foul smell around your yard or basement.

Keeping gutters, downspouts, and landscaping well-maintained helps reduce soil stress on buried pipes.

4. Blockages from Grease, Waste, and Non-Flushables

Grease, fat, wipes, sanitary products, and paper towels should never go down drains. These materials do not break down easily. They stick to pipe walls and form thick clogs.

As buildup grows, water flow slows until the line becomes fully blocked. Once that happens, sewage backups can occur quickly. Cleaning the line may require professional jetting and, in severe cases, sewer damage cleanup inside the home.

Being mindful of what enters your drains is one of the simplest ways to prevent costly repairs.

5. Poor Installation or Substandard Repairs

Improper slope, weak joints, and mismatched pipe materials lead to early sewer failure. If a sewer system was installed without proper grading, waste won't flow smoothly. This results in repeated blockages and standing wastewater.

Poor repairs also reduce pipe lifespan. A temporary patch may hold for a while, but eventually, it can fail and cause unexpected sewage backups and foul smell throughout the home. When that wastewater leaks into walls or flooring, homeowners may need both sewer damage cleanup and water damage restoration.

Always choose licensed professionals for installation or repair.

6. Corrosion and Chemical Damage

Chemical cleaners, wastewater gases, and age-related corrosion weaken metal pipes. Once corrosion spreads, pipes develop holes or collapse. This often leads to leaking pipes that damage surrounding soil and foundation materials.

Corroded sections are high-risk areas for backups and may also create conditions that require sewage backups removal and thorough water damage restoration.

7. Heavy Surface Load or Construction Pressure

Parking heavy vehicles over underground sewer lines can compress and crack pipes. Construction work, even on neighboring properties, can shift the soil or apply stress to shallow lines.

This damage often goes unnoticed until a large crack forms. When the line fails, homeowners may require sewer damage cleanup and immediate professional repairs to restore proper flow.

Warning Signs of Developing Sewer Line Problems

Acting early can prevent major damage. Watch for slow drains throughout the home, gurgling toilets or bubbling sinks, persistent foul smell inside or outside, wet, sunken, or unusually green patches in your yard, mold growth or unexplained moisture from leaking pipes, and frequent clogs or recurring sewage backups.

If you notice more than one of these signs, schedule an inspection promptly.

How to Prevent Sewer Damage

• Avoid planting large trees near sewer lines
• Never flush wipes, even if labeled "flushable"
• Dispose of grease in the trash, not the drain
• Schedule routine camera inspections
• Repair minor issues before they become major failures

Proper maintenance greatly reduces the need for sewer damage cleanup or water damage restoration in the future.

A Better Way to Protect Your Home

If you're experiencing frequent clogs, odd noises, or a persistent foul smell, your sewer line may need attention. J. Blanton Plumbing provides expert diagnostics and targeted sewer repair services to help you stop problems early and avoid costly damage. Reach out anytime to schedule an inspection and keep your plumbing system working smoothly.

About the Author

J. Blanton Plumbing is a leading plumbing service provider in Chicago, specializing in water heater installation, plumbing repairs, drain cleaning, and whole-home plumbing solutions. With over 30 years of industry experience, our licensed technicians create expert resources to help homeowners understand their plumbing options and maintain long-lasting, dependable systems.