7 Signs You Need a Sewer Camera Inspection
Slow drains, gurgling toilets, and sewage smells are warning signs your sewer line needs attention. Learn the 7 most common symptoms and what they mean.
1. Multiple Slow Drains Throughout the House
If just one drain is slow, it's likely a localized clog. But when multiple drains throughout the house are slow simultaneously — kitchen, bathroom, laundry — it usually points to a problem in the main sewer line rather than individual branch lines.
2. Gurgling Sounds from Toilets or Drains
Gurgling sounds when you flush a toilet or run water in a sink indicate that air is trapped in the sewer line. This happens when a blockage or partial obstruction prevents normal water flow and forces air back up through the drain system.
3. Sewage Odors Inside or Outside the Home
A properly functioning sewer system is airtight. If you smell sewage inside your home or notice a persistent odor in your yard, it may indicate a crack, break, or blockage in the sewer line that is allowing gases to escape.
4. Wet Spots or Unusually Green Patches in the Yard
Sewage is a natural fertilizer. If you notice an unusually green, lush patch of grass in your yard — especially in a line from your house toward the street — it may indicate a leaking sewer line underground that is feeding the grass above it.
5. Frequent Drain Backups
Occasional backups can happen. But if you're experiencing recurring backups in your toilets, tubs, or floor drains — especially after heavy rain — it's a strong sign that your sewer line has a significant obstruction or structural problem.
6. Foundation Cracks or Sinkholes
A severely leaking sewer line can erode the soil beneath your foundation over time. If you notice new cracks in your foundation, settling floors, or small sinkholes forming in your yard, a sewer leak may be the underlying cause.
7. You're Buying a Home
Pre-purchase sewer inspections are one of the most overlooked steps in the home buying process. A sewer camera inspection before closing can reveal problems that aren't visible during a standard home inspection — potentially saving you from inheriting a $15,000+ repair bill.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Our team is available for same-day inspections in Indianapolis and surrounding suburbs.