Sewer lines are the large pipes that extend from your home to the street, where the sewer lies. They carry away waste that's flushed down your toilet and goes down the drain from all the sinks in your home, plus the washing machine and dishwasher. Most sewer lines will work for decades without any major problems, but like all things, they can break down over time. If you experience any of these signs, chances are you need a new sewer line.

Sewage in Yard

Understandably, sewage should never show up in your yard. It's disgusting and unsanitary and can lead to an awful smell. It's also one of the leading signs that something is considerably wrong with your sewer line.

Sewage only shows up in the yard if there's a break in the sewer line somewhere. When this happens, whatever goes down your drains seeps out into the yard in addition to heading to the sewer. If it goes on for long enough, it'll saturate the ground and will eventually make its way to the surface as a pool of sewage.

Sewage From Overflow Pipe

Overflow pipes are utilized in the plumbing of most homes. You can likely find yours outside or in a basement if you have one. These pipes typically don't do anything except release gases that break down in the sewer line, but when something is critically wrong with a sewer line sewage can come out of them.

This is usually because a blockage has formed that is preventing anything from making it to the sewer. That leaves it with only a couple of places to go, including your overflow pipe. Don't get too excited about the idea of it just being a blockage, though. It would have to be a massive blockage to cause this problem on its own — it's more common for it to be due to a cracked or shifted sewer line.

Sewage in Tub

Remember how sewage can come up in a couple of places with a blockage? Well, one of them is your bathtub. As horrifying as it might be, it's not unheard of for things that went down the toilet to come back up in the tub, debris and all.

If this has happened to you, don't use your tub. It's extremely dangerous for you to come into contact with wastewater and waste in general.

Needless to say, if you're having any of these problems, you need to get in touch with a plumber right away. Replacing your sewer line may be necessary, but the good news is it's likely the only time you'll need this done.

If you have any questions, contact a sewer line installer in your area.