8 Warning Signs You Need Professional Sewer Line Cleaning

Is something off with your plumbing? Slow drains, bad smells, or water backing up into your tub might seem minor but they could be signs of a bigger issue deep in your main sewer line.

As homeowners, we know how stressful plumbing problems can be. That’s why we’re breaking down the 8 most common signs that it’s time for professional sewer line cleaning.

Let’s help you spot issues early before they turn into major (and expensive) emergencies.

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Why Sewer Line Cleaning Matters

Our sewer lines are supposed to carry everything smoothly out of the house: toilet paper, water, hair and grease, and yes, whatever else got flushed. But over time, things build up. Grease hardens. Tree roots sneak into cracks. Toilet paper, feces, and whatever else clog the line.

If we ignore it, we could face costly backups, water damage, or worse.

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1. Slow Drains All Over the House

One slow drain isn’t a big deal. But if all your sinks, tubs, and floor drains are moving slowly, especially in different parts of the house, it usually points to a main drain line problem.

Watch for:

• Water taking longer than normal to go down
• Gurgling sounds from drains
• Water backing up into sinks or tubs

No matter how much drain cleaner and pour you try, the real problem could be in the sewer line that runs through your yard.

2. Frequent Clogs Keep Coming Back

If you’ve been trying to unclog the main drain over and over, or you’ve had to buy a sewer tape more than once, it’s probably time to call in help.

We’ve seen hair and grease combo blocking the part of the sewer line and while store-bought grease dissolving drain cleaner might give you a temporary fix, it’s not solving the root cause.

3. Funky Smells Around Your Home

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Sewer line cleaning is a must if you notice:

• Sewage smells near sinks or tubs
• Bad odors in your basement
• A foul stench outside in the yard

That smell could be paper, feces, and whatever else sitting in the main sewer line, or a leak in the sewer pipe. Either way, don’t wait.

4. Gurgling Sounds in Drains and Toilets

We’ve all heard that bubbling or gurgling sound, especially when the toilet flushes or the tub drains. That sound usually means air is trapped in the line because of a blockage.

It could be tree roots, a hair and grease combo, or even mineral buildup but either way, that main drain line needs attention.

5. Water Backing Up in the Wrong Places

If your tub fills up when you flush the toilet, or water shows up in your lower floor drains following laundry cycles, that’s a major red flag.

This happens when the drain line that runs from your house can’t carry waste away fast enough, so it backs up into the drain that is closest to the house.

We’ve seen this lead to serious water damage and health hazards if left untreated.

6. Wet or Soggy Patches in the Yard

A healthy yard shouldn’t have random puddles. If you see:

• Soggy grass in dry weather
• Unusual patches of lush growth
• Pools forming near your sewer line

… then you may have a leak or crack in your side sewer that leads to the mainline in the street.

This can be caused by a clog, tree roots, or a broken pipe. Either way, don’t wait. It’s time for a sewer line inspection especially if it runs through your yard without the expense of visible damage.

7. Tree Roots Are Taking Over

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Tree roots growing into sewer lines is one of the most common (and annoying) causes of clogs. They sneak in through tiny cracks and expand over time, blocking flow and damaging the pipe.

Warning signs include:

• Recurring clogs
• Gurgling despite cleaning
• Lush grass near your sewer path

We’ve used everything from hydro jetting to steel worm head inserts to clear out roots. Sometimes, we’ll even pour root killer down the toilet to prevent regrowth.

8. You've Never Cleaned Your Sewer Line

If you’ve lived in your home for years and never had your sewer line cleaned, now’s the time.

Even if things seem fine, buildup from usual hair and grease, mineral deposits, and clumps of toilet paper can create a hidden problem. Your cleanout connections ever so often might need to be inspected and flushed.

Routine maintenance can help avoid:

• Emergency backups
• Expensive repairs
• Damage to your home or yard

Why DIY Isn’t Always Enough

We love a good DIY job but sewer line cleaning isn’t always one of them.

We’ve seen homeowners try to:

• Go to the hardware store and buy a sewer tape
• Use a garden hose to flush the line
• Pour root killer down the drain
• Shove harder with DIY tools

These can work for minor clogs, but they often make things worse. Pushing a sewer tape that unrolls deep into the line without knowing where the blockage is can cause damage especially if you hit a tree root or dislodged pipe.

When to Use Hydro Jetting

If you've had repeated clogs or want a full cleanout, we highly recommend hydro jetting.

It uses high-pressure water to clean the inside of your pipes, safely blasting away:

• Hair and grease
• Sludge
• Tree roots
• Mineral buildup
• Toilet Papers

Hydro jetting is perfect for cleaning the main sewer line and preventing future clogs. It's fast, chemical-free, and powerful enough to reset your whole system.

What Happens If You Ignore It?

Let’s be real, ignoring sewer problems can lead to:

• Raw sewage backing up into your home
• Cracked or collapsed pipes
• Foul smells all over the house
• Health hazards from wastewater
• Property damage you can't easily repair

We’ve even had homeowners need to call the water district when things got out of hand. Don’t wait until it's too late.

Let Aces Four Handle It

If you're noticing any of these warning signs or simply want to avoid future issues, we’re here to help with expert sewer line cleaning and more.

At Aces Four, we provide safe, effective, and affordable sewer drain cleaning services for homes and businesses alike. Whether you're dealing with tree roots, clogged floor drains, or a main sewer line backup, our licensed team is ready to help.

We offer:

• Thorough sewer line cleaning
• Powerful hydro jetting for deep blockages
• Video inspections for pinpoint accuracy
• Residential and commercial sewer drain cleaning service
• Local, trusted sewer drain cleaning in Seattle and surrounding areas

As one of the top providers of drain and sewer cleaning services, we’re proud to serve homeowners and businesses across the region with clean, courteous, and long-lasting solutions.

Don’t wait for a full-blown emergency. Let us help you protect your property with professional, dependable sewer cleaning in Seattle WA and restore flow, fast.

FAQs

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1. How often should a sewer be cleaned?

For most homes, sewer line cleaning is recommended every 18 to 22 months as part of regular plumbing maintenance. If your property has a history of tree root intrusions, grease buildup, or frequent blockages, it may require more frequent service.

Professional sewer drain cleaning services help prevent major backups, reduce odors, and extend the lifespan of your sewer pipes. Regular cleaning is especially important for older systems or homes with heavy usage.

2. How do you know if the main sewer line is clogged?

Common signs of a main sewer line clog include multiple slow drains, gurgling sounds in toilets, sewage odors, and water backing up in tubs or floor drains.

If several drains are acting up at once, it's often a sign that the problem is deeper in the main drain line or sewer pipe. You may also notice clumps of toilet paper, grease combo blocking, or water pooling around cleanouts. A video camera inspection is the most accurate way to confirm a clog in the main sewer line.

3. Do all houses have sewer cleanouts?

Not all homes have visible or easily accessible sewer cleanout connections, especially older properties. A sewer cleanout is a capped pipe that allows direct access to your main sewer line, typically located in the yard, basement, or crawlspace.

If your home doesn’t have one, you may need a plumber to install a cleanout, which makes drain cleaning and hydro jetting services more efficient and cost-effective. It’s also helpful in emergencies, when quick access to the sewer line is critical.

4. Can I unclog my main sewer line myself?

While it’s possible to attempt DIY solutions, unclogging the main sewer line yourself is risky and often ineffective without the right tools. Using a garden hose, sewer tape, or trying to pour root killer down the toilet may only offer temporary relief. Serious blockages often involve tree roots, mineral buildup, or hair and grease dissolving clogs deep in the drain line that runs under your yard.

For long-term solutions, it’s best to hire a professional for sewer line cleaning, especially if you want to avoid the expense of hiring a plumber again later.