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It can take anywhere from one month to a couple of years for tree roots to grow back in sewer lines. Tree roots can cause extreme havoc on your sewer lines, potentially cracking them and causing untreated wastewater to make its way into the groundwater. Have a landscaping pro remove trees and roots before installing your system, or call a pro to do it retroactively as soon as you can.

If you’re wondering whether rats can come up the toilet, the unfortunate answer is yes, it’s possible, though it’s extremely rare. These rodents are excellent swimmers and can travel through sewer pipes in search of food, and they may follow plumbing lines leading to your home if they’re drawn by the scent of scraps and waste. The toilet’s U-bend holds a small pocket of air, which can help a rat catch its breath before making its final push into your bathroom. While more common in cities with larger rat populations, this can happen anywhere with connected sewer systems; sealing entry points and keeping drains clean can help reduce the risk.

Outdoor plumbing issues are no less serious or urgent to fix than interior plumbing problems. These problems may require excavation and lawn repair due to the plumbing often being buried underground. The most common outside plumbing problems include:

• Clogged landscape drainage: $200–$1,000

• Clogged sewer lines: $60–$250 per linear foot

• Corroded or rusted pipes: $1,500–$15,000+

• Leaking drain lines: $200–$1,000

• Leaking water mains: $300–$4,000+

• Septic system failure: $600–$3,000+

• Tree roots in pipes: $200–$1,000

• Well pump failure: $350–$1,500

It is generally safe to stay in a house that smells like sewage for a short time, but you should get the problem fixed as soon as possible. While the level of sewer gas is usually low enough to only cause minor symptoms, prolonged inhalation can lead to headaches, nausea, or respiratory irritation. High levels of gas exposure can be more dangerous, and high concentrations of methane—a component of sewer gas—can pose an explosion risk in enclosed spaces. If you smell sewer gas in your home, ventilate the area and call a professional to locate, assess, and fix the problem, as it will not go away on its own.