Plumbing Problem or Sewer Problem? Here’s How to Tell

Posted : October, 13 2026 – 6AM EST

When something goes wrong with your plumbing, one of the first questions you may ask is, “Should I call a plumber or a sewer company?”

It can be difficult to tell the difference. A slow drain, clogged toilet, strange odor, or backed-up water may seem like a regular plumbing issue. However, these problems can sometimes be warning signs of a more serious issue deep inside your sewer line.

Knowing the difference can help you find the right professional, resolve the problem more efficiently, and avoid unnecessary repairs. In many cases, a sewer contractor may be able to handle both your drainage concerns and several common plumbing needs.

What Does a Plumbing Company Usually Handle?

A traditional plumbing company typically handles the pipes, fixtures, and systems that bring water into your home and carry wastewater away. Common services include repairing leaking faucets, fixing running toilets, installing water heaters, unclogging sinks, repairing garbage disposals, and addressing problems with water supply lines.

For example, if your kitchen faucet is leaking or your toilet keeps running, you may need a straightforward plumbing repair. Similarly, if only one sink is draining slowly while the rest of your home’s drains work normally, the blockage may be limited to that fixture or its connecting pipe.

These are common plumbing concerns that an experienced professional can diagnose and repair.

However, not every plumbing problem starts and ends inside your home. When the issue involves the main sewer line or the system responsible for carrying wastewater away from your property, specialized drainage expertise can make a difference.

What Does a Sewer Contractor Handle?

A sewer contractor specializes in drainage systems and the sewer lines that carry wastewater away from your property. Their work can include sewer cleaning, camera inspections, main sewer line blockages, sewer repairs, pipe replacement, and problems caused by tree roots, cracked pipes, or collapsed sewer lines.

Because drainage and sewer systems are their primary focus, sewer contractors often have specialized equipment and experience to investigate recurring problems and identify their underlying causes.

For homeowners, that can mean a more convenient service experience. Instead of simply clearing a blockage and hoping it does not return, the right professional can investigate whether the problem is connected to a deeper issue in the drainage system.

Many sewer contractors can also take care of common interior plumbing needs, including toilets, sinks, fixtures, and drain issues. This broader capability means you may not need to contact separate professionals for every plumbing and drainage concern.

Why Specialized Drainage Expertise Matters

A clogged sink and a blocked main sewer line may produce similar symptoms, but the causes can be very different.

A blockage in one sink may be caused by grease, soap residue, or accumulated debris. A main sewer line problem, on the other hand, may involve tree roots, damaged pipes, heavy buildup, or a collapsed section of the line.

Treating every drainage problem as an ordinary clog may provide temporary relief without addressing the real cause.

A sewer contractor who regularly works with drainage systems understands how to investigate these more complex issues. With the appropriate tools and experience, they can help determine where the problem is occurring and recommend a suitable solution.

This specialized approach can also help homeowners avoid unnecessary work. Rather than guessing at the cause or repeatedly paying to clear the same blockage, a proper diagnosis can help identify the repair that is actually needed.

How Can You Tell If You Have a Sewer Problem?

One of the easiest ways to recognize a possible sewer problem is to pay attention to how many drains are affected.

If your bathroom sink is clogged but your toilet, shower, and kitchen sink are working normally, the problem may be limited to that particular drain. However, if several drains begin backing up around the same time, the main sewer line may be involved.

You might notice water rising in your shower when you flush the toilet, multiple sinks draining slowly, or wastewater coming back through a floor drain. These symptoms suggest that wastewater may not be flowing through the system as it should.

Another warning sign is a persistent sewage odor. If you repeatedly notice a sewer smell inside your home, in your basement, or around your property, there could be a problem with a drain, pipe, sewer connection, or another part of the wastewater system.

These signs do not automatically confirm a damaged sewer line, but they are good reasons to have the problem investigated before it becomes more serious.

Gurgling Toilets and Drains Can Be Warning Signs

Your toilet and drains should not regularly make unusual bubbling or gurgling sounds.

Gurgling can occur when air moves through the plumbing system because wastewater is not flowing properly. If your toilet bubbles when you use another fixture or your drains repeatedly make these sounds, a blockage or drainage issue may be developing.

A single unusual noise does not necessarily mean your sewer line is damaged. However, repeated gurgling combined with slow drains, sewage odors, or backups deserves attention.

A sewer professional can assess the symptoms and determine whether the problem is limited to a fixture or involves the larger drainage system.

Tree Roots Can Cause Serious Sewer Problems

If you have mature trees near your property, their roots may pose a risk to underground sewer lines.

Tree roots naturally grow toward sources of moisture. When a sewer pipe has a crack, damaged joint, or loose connection, roots may enter through the opening and continue growing inside the pipe. As they expand, they can restrict wastewater flow and contribute to recurring blockages.

You may notice slow drains, repeated sewer backups, or problems that return shortly after a line has been cleared.

Removing the immediate blockage may restore flow temporarily, but it may not solve the underlying issue if roots have entered a damaged pipe. A professional inspection can help determine whether cleaning is sufficient or whether the pipe needs further repair.

What About Sewer Problems After Heavy Rain?

Heavy rainfall can sometimes reveal existing drainage or sewer problems. If your basement drains back up or your property experiences unusual drainage issues after a storm, the cause may involve your private sewer line, the municipal sewer system, groundwater, or another drainage issue.

The source matters because each problem may require a different solution. Repeatedly clearing an interior drain will not necessarily resolve a problem caused by a damaged underground pipe or an overloaded sewer system.

An experienced drainage professional can help investigate the symptoms and determine what should be checked next.

Plumber or Sewer Contractor: Who Should You Call?

The right professional depends on the type of problem you are experiencing and the services the company provides.

For a leaking faucet, a running toilet, a water heater issue, or a problem with a single fixture, a plumbing company may be a suitable choice. If several drains are backing up, sewer problems keep returning, tree roots are suspected, or you need a camera inspection of your main sewer line, a sewer contractor with the right equipment may be better suited to investigate.

The distinction is not always absolute. Many plumbing companies also offer sewer services, and many sewer contractors can handle common interior plumbing needs. What matters most is finding a professional whose experience and capabilities match the problem.

A sewer contractor can be a particularly practical choice when you need specialized drainage expertise but also want help with common plumbing repairs.

Depending on the company and the work required, you may be able to address several concerns through one service provider rather than coordinating multiple contractors.

Can a Sewer Contractor Help You Save Money?

Choosing a professional should not be about finding the lowest price alone. The goal is to get the right service, solve the problem properly, and avoid paying for work that does not address the underlying cause.

Because sewer contractors focus on drainage and sewer systems, they may be able to diagnose certain drainage problems more efficiently. Their experience with recurring blockages, sewer inspections, and underground pipe issues can help them identify the appropriate next step rather than relying on repeated temporary fixes.

Some sewer contractors also offer common interior plumbing services at rates that may be more affordable than those of a traditional plumbing contractor. Pricing varies by company, location, job complexity, and the equipment required, so it is always sensible to compare the scope of work as well as the quoted price.

The broader benefit is convenience and value. When one qualified contractor can address your sewer or drainage problem and take care of related needs involving toilets, sinks, fixtures, or drains, you may be able to simplify the process and reduce the need to coordinate separate service calls.

Ultimately, the best value comes from combining the right expertise, reliable workmanship, and a solution that addresses the actual problem.

Why a Sewer Camera Inspection Can Help

When the main sewer line is suspected, it can be difficult to know what is happening underground without inspecting the pipe.

A sewer camera inspection allows a professional to examine the inside of the line and look for issues such as tree-root intrusion, cracks, breaks, heavy buildup, separated joints, or collapsed sections.

This information can help determine whether the line needs cleaning, repair, or replacement. It can also help prevent unnecessary digging when a camera inspection can identify the location and nature of the problem.

Not every clogged drain requires a camera inspection. However, when backups keep returning or several drains are affected, an inspection may provide valuable information about what is causing the problem.

Sewer Problems Can Be More Serious Than They Appear

A sewer backup is more than an inconvenience. It can damage floors, walls, personal belongings, and other parts of a property. Contact with contaminated wastewater can also pose health risks.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that approximately 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary sewer overflows occur in the United States each year. These overflows can contribute to property damage and environmental and public health concerns.

This figure refers specifically to sanitary sewer overflows and does not mean that every residential sewer backup is included in the estimate. However, it highlights why sewer problems should be taken seriously and why recurring drainage issues deserve proper attention.

Don’t Wait Until a Small Problem Becomes a Big One

A slow drain may seem harmless. A toilet that occasionally gurgles may not appear urgent. A strange odor may be easy to overlook. But when these problems keep returning, they could indicate an issue that requires more than a quick fix.

Pay attention to recurring symptoms, especially when several drains are affected or wastewater backs up into your home. Getting the problem assessed early can help you understand your options and may prevent further damage.

Whether you need help with a stubborn drain, a recurring sewer backup, or a suspected damaged sewer line, choosing a professional with the right experience and equipment is an important first step.

Need Help With a Sewer or Plumbing Problem in the Chicago Area?

If you are experiencing slow drains, recurring backups, sewage odors, tree-root problems, or suspected damage to your main sewer line, Stay Dry Sewers can help you determine what may be causing the issue and what steps to take next.

With a focus on sewer and drainage systems, along with the ability to handle many common interior plumbing needs, Stay Dry Sewers offers homeowners a practical option for addressing drainage concerns and related plumbing problems.

Rather than guessing at the cause or relying on repeated temporary fixes, get the issue assessed by a professional who understands drainage and sewer systems.

Contact Stay Dry Sewers to discuss your sewer or plumbing concerns and find out whether a professional inspection or repair is the right next step.

References

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/npdes/sanitary-sewer-overflows-ssos
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/npdes/sanitary-sewer-overflow-sso-frequent-questions