Signs Your Main Sewer Line May Be Clogged

🚨 Top Signs Your Main Sewer Line May Be Clogged

A clogged main sewer line can cause serious (and messy) problems if not addressed quickly. The good news? Your plumbing system often gives you warning signs—you just need to know what to look for.

Below are the top signs your sewer line might be clogged, and when it’s time to call in the professional plumbers at Panther Plumbing, proudly serving Marietta, GA and the Metro Atlanta area.

1. Multiple Drains Are Slow or Backed Up

If one sink is slow to drain, it’s likely a minor clog. But if multiple drains across your home are acting up at the same time, that’s a red flag. It usually means your main sewer line—the one all your drains connect to—is clogged.

You might notice slow draining in the bathtub, sinks, and toilets all at once. That’s your plumbing’s way of telling you something is wrong deeper down the line.

2. Water Backs Up in Weird Places

One of the strangest (and most telling) signs of a main sewer line clog is when water backs up in a different part of your home after using another fixture.

For example:

• You flush the toilet, and water comes up in the shower.
• You run the washing machine, and the kitchen sink gurgles.

These cross-reactions mean wastewater can’t escape properly and is trying to find another way out.

3. Gurgling or Bubbling Sounds from Drains

If you hear gurgling noises coming from your toilet or sink when you use water, it’s likely due to air trapped by a clog in the sewer line.

The water can’t flow freely, so it pushes air through the pipes—causing that bubbly, “glug-glug” sound. It’s like your plumbing is trying to talk to you—and it’s saying, “Help!”

4. Sewer Odors Inside the Home

A healthy plumbing system shouldn’t smell bad. If you notice a rotten egg or sewage smell coming from drains or your basement, it’s a sign that wastewater isn’t flowing out properly—and could be backing up.

This kind of odor is more than just unpleasant—it can also indicate a health hazard. It’s best to get it checked out right away.

5. You’re Always Plunging Something

Need to plunge a toilet once in a while? No big deal.
Need to plunge a toilet every week? That’s a sign of a deeper issue.

If you’re dealing with frequent clogs or recurring backups in multiple fixtures, your main sewer line could be partially blocked—allowing just enough flow to keep you guessing, but not enough to solve the problem.

6. Water Around Basement Floor Drains

Water pooling around a floor drain or in a basement shower could mean that wastewater is being pushed back up into your home.

If you see water where it shouldn’t be—especially on lower levels of your home—it could be a sign that your main sewer line is completely blocked and starting to backflow.

7. Soggy or Smelly Spots in the Yard

If you notice a soggy patch of grass or a foul smell outdoors, especially when it hasn’t rained, your sewer line may be leaking underground. In some cases, pressure from a blockage can even cause the pipe to crack.

This may lead to unusually lush grass in one spot, a musty odor, or even standing wastewater in the yard.

🛠️ Call Panther Plumbing for Sewer Line Help in Marietta, GA

If you’re seeing any of these signs, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. At Panther Plumbing, we specialize in fast, affordable sewer line inspections and cleanings.

We proudly serve Marietta, GA and the surrounding Metro Atlanta area, delivering top-tier plumbing service with a commitment to customer satisfaction. Whether you need a quick cleanout or a full inspection with a camera, we’ve got you covered.

📞 Contact Panther Plumbing today to schedule your sewer service appointment and get your home flowing again!