Get matched with top sewer cleaners in Kosciusko, MS

Thankfully, it’s pretty rare to find a rat in your toilet. It’s more likely in larger cities with big sewer systems that can be feeding grounds for rats, but even then, you still shouldn’t fret. 

“I wouldn’t worry too much about rats coming up through the sewers,” Bradshaw says. “I’d say only one out of a thousand rodent customers we get actually have this problem. And of the 20 or some customers that have had this happen, they’ve all only had just one rat come up this way.”

Some signs that your main sewer line is clogged are easy to spot, like when water backs up into your showers, sinks, and toilets for no apparent reason. However, some indicators are more subtle. The most common signs that you may have a clogged sewer main include:

• Gurgling sounds coming from drains or toilet

• Water in your basement drain or in the lawn

• Smell of raw sewage throughout your home

• Other found odors like rotten eggs around your home

Ideally, you might find that you only need to clean the sewer line or remove a clog from the main line. That costs $200 to $300. However, “sewer main clogs can cost upwards of $1,000 to clear, depending on what is causing the clog, distance from accessible cleanouts to the clog, and whether there is occupied space below the clogged line (apartment buildings, condos, etc.),” says Botelho.

Your home has a few telltale signs of a sewer line problem. If you notice multiple plumbing fixtures (toilet, sink, or shower drains) appear to be clogged, call a plumber ASAP. Also, if water appears in the tub or shower when you flush the toilet, you likely have a sewer line issue. A sulfur (rotten eggs) smell and bubbling or gurgling noises at the drain also warrant a check. And keep your eyes peeled for changes to the yard, such as a new indentation or mysteriously soggy grass.