How older sewer laterals fail
The pipe that carries waste from your house to the public sewer main is called the lateral, and in most places the homeowner is responsible for it, at least up to the property line and often further. In houses built in the 1950s and 1960s, laterals were commonly made of short sections of vitrified clay pipe joined with mortar or early gaskets, or of cast iron under and near the house.
Clay joints are a favorite target for tree roots, which find the moisture and nutrients inside and grow into the pipe. Mature trees on older Lakewood lots have had decades to do this. Soil movement can also offset sections so that waste catches at the joint. Cast iron under a slab can rust through from the inside.
A cracked or root-filled lateral may cause slow drains and backups, but it can also simply let sewer gas into the soil around the foundation. That gas can find its way into the basement through slab cracks, the floor drain or the sump. The result is a smell that comes and goes, often worse when the ground is wet or when lots of water is running in the house.
How a sewer problem is usually confirmed
- Rule out the simple causes.Refill every floor drain trap, check the cleanout cap, and look for a loose toilet or a dried-out basement fixture.
- Note the pattern.Track whether the smell follows laundry days, showers or heavy rain. A pattern tied to water use points toward the drain system.
- Camera inspection.A plumber can run a camera through the lateral from the cleanout and record what it sees: roots, cracks, offsets or sags.
- Review the footage together.Ask to see the video and to have the depth and distance of any problem marked.
- Decide on repair.Options range from cleaning out roots to spot repairs, lining the pipe or replacement. Ask which permits are needed and who handles them.
Questions to ask the plumber
- What material is my lateral, and how far does my responsibility run?
- Does the camera show anything that could let sewer gas escape?
- Is cleaning out roots a temporary fix here, or enough for now?
- Do I need a permit from the city, and do I need to contact my water and sanitation district?
- Will the repair disturb my yard, driveway or trees, and how is that restored?
Sewer odor clues and what they suggest
| Clue | Points toward | Worth checking |
|---|---|---|
| Smell after heavy water use | Slow or partly blocked lateral | Camera inspection |
| Smell after storms | Groundwater entering a cracked line, or soil gas | Camera and floor drain |
| Gurgling drains | Venting or blockage issue | Plumber evaluation of drains and vents |
| Smell only at one fixture | Trap or wax ring at that fixture | Fixture repair before line work |
General information for Lakewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.