Plumbing issues with sewer lines and solutions
The main sewer line might sustain damage over time due to incorrect use of these fixtures, drains, and pipelines, as well as numerous other external variables. The main sewage line may eventually become seriously damaged. It may even need to be replaced due to clogging or collapse. This deterioration could cause you an unnecessary headache.
Knowing why sewer lines clog and the warning signals to watch out for will help you avoid ever experiencing it.
What Are Some Regular Reasons for a Blocked Sewer Line?
A clogged drain, a slow-running sink, or a bathtub are awful situations that almost every homeowner has experienced. Even though a single clog can be annoying, it’s usually simple to clear.
But what happens if all of your home’s drains start backing up at once?
It can be a clogged sewer drain. When drain-clearing attempts fail, a sewer line may need to be repaired or replaced entirely (or even just a part of it). The following are the main signs that a repair or replacement procedure is necessary:
Significant pipe damage
When sewer pipes are broken or ruptured, the sewage won’t be able to properly drain through the system—leading to immediate and frequent backups. Damage to sewer pipes frequently results from:
The sewer pipe burst was brought on by settling, changing soil, more people on the surface, or using large construction tools above ground. An older pipe’s corrosion results in the collapse or breakage of the pipe. Couplings with leaks where the pipe’s seals have failed, enabling sewage and water to escape.
An Unsteady Sewer Line
Sagging sewer pipes develop with time; consequently, a homeowner has little influence. This “bellied” pipe develops when a part of the pipe sinks as a result of the ground or soil.
The line’s low point will start gathering trash and paper, causing repeated obstructions.
Root Infiltration of Trees
On the truck bed is a sewer pipe fragment with root incursion damage.
Clay or other porous materials were occasionally used to build older sewer systems. Additionally, unlike modern PVC pipes, the connections between the pipe pieces weren’t as secure. As the roots of trees and shrubs expand, they look for water sources. They will grow into the sewer pipe to get to the water within if they grasp onto it. The line may break as the roots enlarge over time.
Disposing of Debris in the Toilet
You should be aware of what you can and cannot flush down the toilet to protect the health of your plumbing system.
Flogging the Drain with Grease
One of the main causes of clogged pipes is grease, followed by fat and oil. Grease, oil, and other fats should never be drained.
Pour hot grease into a coffee can or jar at all times. After it hardens, you can discard it. Washing grease down the drain with hot water will help dissolve the grease.
Sewer drain problems will result from using your toilet as a trashcan. The most important thing to keep in mind when flushing the toilet is to ensure that only human waste and toilet paper are flushed.
Grease will harden and adhere to your pipes once cooled, causing clogs in your sewer lines. Learn what you shouldn’t put down your drain or garbage disposal to ensure you never have issues.
THE MAIN SEWER LINE ISSUES’ SYMPTOMS
We’ve gathered four warning signals you should watch out for if you’re worried about discovering your sewer line issue before it’s too late:
Drains or Sewer Lines Remain Obscure.
You should avoid liquid “drain cleaning” and contact a specialist to examine your clogged drain instead. A crack or obstruction in your sewer line may cause a clogged drain, particularly in the lowest level of your home.
Several fixtures are obstructed.
You are unsure if a blockage in a single pipe or a problem with the sewer system is to blame for the persistent clogging of the toilet or shower drain. However, the simultaneous clogging of multiple plumbing fixtures clearly indicates a sewage line problem.
The bathrooms are gurgling and bubbling.
The next sign of a sewage drain obstruction is any unexpected or odd responses to the use of plumbing fittings. You might be in trouble if
When you flush the toilet, water from your shower or tub will back up. Bubbles appear in the toilet water. If this occurs, run water in the sink nearest to the toilet for about a minute. It’s hardly a coincidence if the water keeps bubbling (or rising).
There is a gurgling sound while the toilet flushes or the water drains from your shower or bathtub. Call your neighborhood plumber as soon as you hear this.
Your lawn begins to alter.
Normally, a sewer line runs from your house through your front lawn and into the city’s sewage system. Take a look at your lawn outside and see if you can spot any of these changes:
You will notice an indentation on your grass if there is a break in your sewer line.
If it hasn’t recently rained or snowed and you see an area of moist grass, it could be sewage from a damaged sewer line.
Conventional sewer line replacement or repair.
Using a backhoe to dig up the area around the line and repair or replace the sewer line traditionally provides simple access to the problematic location. The backhoe is used to replenish the area after the repair is complete.
Depending on the state of your pipes, how they are set up, or where you live, this option might occasionally be your only choice.
Trenchless Sewer Line Repair Methods
Making tiny access holes where the broken pipe begins and ends constitutes trenchless repairs. The old pipe is then ruptured into pieces while a fresh pipe is laid as a new pipe is pulled through the old pipe.
Trenchless repairs are less damaging to roads and yards than traditional repair techniques because only the dirt at the beginning and end of the line is disturbed.
Contact a qualified plumber if you need sewer line repairs.
Whatever solution you decide on, the job must be done by a qualified professional plumber with the expertise and a license. For more than 20 years, Len The Plumber has provided the Mid-Atlantic region with unmatched plumbing services. We think our plumbers are the best in the industry. We promise to identify and resolve any sewer or drain problems you may frequently be experiencing on the same days.
Read THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR THE CAUSES OF TOILET leaks in 2022
