Several drains slow at once
One slow drain is usually local. When the shower, the sink and the toilet all drain slowly, the problem is probably in the main line, where everything joins.
If you see this, avoid running the washer or dishwasher and call for a camera and cleaning before it becomes a backup.
Gurgling and bubbling
Gurgling sounds in drains or bubbles rising in a toilet when you drain a sink or run the washer show that air is trapped behind a partial blockage or that a vent is not working.
It is an early warning, and the best time to act.
Sewer odors
A rotten egg smell in the house or yard can mean a dry trap, but it can also signal a crack in the line, a loose cleanout cap or a broken vent. A persistent smell deserves inspection.
Wet or lush spots in the yard
A patch of unusually green grass, a soggy spot or a sinkhole near the sewer route suggests a leak in the buried line. A camera and locator can pinpoint it.
Backups in the lowest drain
A basement floor drain or shower that backs up when you use water upstairs means wastewater cannot get out, which is an urgent sign. Stop using water and call.
Foundation cracks, pests and mold
Long-term leaks can undermine soil, attract rodents and cockroaches and feed mold. These are late signs, so do not wait for them.
When more than one drain acts up, stop using water and get a camera on the line.
