A sewer line backup or leak can be frustrating to deal with as a homeowner. Along with the unpleasant smell and messy cleanup of a compromised sewer pipe, it can be difficult to pinpoint the root cause of your sewage problem. To help prevent sewer line damage or mitigate an issue when it arises, it’s important to know how to spot the main causes of sewer line damage.
How Do You Know If You Have Sewer Line Problems?
The difficult thing about keeping your sewer line in good condition is that you can’t see it, so you don’t know right away when there’s a problem. When there’s a problem with your sewer line, your house will tell you. Common warning signs include:
- One or more drains are draining slower than usual. This can be a very early sign of a drainage problem. If multiple drains are affected, it’s likely that the problem is in the sewer line.
- Water backs up into one or more drains, or the toilet when another drain is used. If the problem is restricted to one drain, the main sewer line may not be affected. If multiple drains are affected, it’s more likely that the sewer main line could have an issue.
- Drains make unusual gurgling sounds when draining water, or the toilet makes noises when flushed.
- Sewage odors can be detected.
- Sometimes water or sewage starts backing up in the drains without any of the above warning signs. It’s vital to call a plumber immediately. In the meantime, it’s best to avoid using any water in order to reduce the risk of the drains backing up and flooding your home.
- Water damage can occur if a drain line leaks or breaks in the home. One of the first signs is mold spreading on the floors or walls. This could point to a broken sewer line within the home, in which case you should call a plumbing service immediately.
- Flooded or foul-smelling yard. You may be able to smell the sewage before it surfaces, as sewage gas can seep through your yard’s soil.
Sewer Line Repair and Replacement
Plumbers use a camera inspection tool to determine what’s causing your sewer line to malfunction in the first place. For example, a camera inspection can tell your plumber whether there’s a blockage caused by tree roots or by foreign objects in the line, or whether the line is corroded or otherwise damaged. If you smell sewer gas in your home, it’s vital to call your plumber immediately, so we can detect the source of the problem and fix it ASAP.
Cleaning a Blocked Sewer Pipe
If the pipe is blocked, equipment such as a hydro jet or sewer snake is used to get rid of the blockage. A hydro jet cleans the blocked pipe of grease and grime, while a sewer snake is used when a blockage is caused by tree roots or something hanging up on the inside of the pipe. These are fairly quick jobs that can be completed in less than a day and cause no disruption to the home or yard as long as the home has cleanouts in the yard that were installed during construction.
Sewer Pipe Repair and Replacement
If the pipe is damaged, it needs to be repaired or replaced. One or two damaged spots can be repaired without having to replace the entire line. If the pipe is badly damaged, then sewer line replacement is the less disruptive and best choice. Repairing or replacing a sewer line can take anywhere from one day to several days to complete. The amount of disruption that’s necessary often depends on where a sewer line is laid and what’s been built or grown over it.
Traditional sewer pipe repair uses a backhoe or digging crew to dig up the area around the sewer line to make it accessible for repairs or replacement. For repairs, only the damaged section of the pipe is exposed so it can be patched. If the pipe needs to be replaced, the entire length of the pipe is exposed. This can be somewhat disruptive to the yard but is the best choice in order to have a permanent solution to the problem and prevent future backups.
The newly installed pipe has a long lifespan as long as it’s well-maintained. PVC pipes have a lifespan of up to 100 years or more, provided they’re protected from tree root damage, corrosive drain cleaners, and other things that cause blockage or damage.
With two decades of experience, Cole’s Plumbing Dallas is professionally qualified to perform thorough plumbing inspections & repairs. We have the right equipment, tools, and experience to do the job right – at an affordable price. Call/text us at (972) 210-9033 or complete the Get an Estimate form with your plumbing questions.
