Damaged sewer lines be a nightmare for unsuspecting homeowners. If your sewer line is blocked or compromised, you could experience sewage backup in your home. In addition to a costly cleanup and repair bill, expect a major inconvenience for the home’s occupants. Several circumstances can damage your sewer line. Below you will find the most common culprits and the methods required to correct the problem.
Invasive Tree Roots
Tree roots pose a major problem for sewage lines. The invasive roots, drawn by the presence of water will penetrate any crack, hole or loose joint in the pipe. Once inside the pipe, the roots act as a catchall for solid waste eventually creating a blockage and potential disaster for the homeowner. Fortunately, there are methods to remove them and curtail their growth.
- Plumbing contractors use a powered, rotating auger to cut through the root system inside the pipe. The auger head incorporates sharp teeth to quickly remove the roots. Although the auger clears the roots from the sewer line, the solution is short-lived, as the roots will eventually grow back.
- After clearing a sewer line of roots, it is recommended by most plumbers to use a chemical agent designed to kill and inhibit future root growth.
- Trees and shrubbery within close proximity to sewage lines should be removed or relocated. Do your homework before you landscape by avoiding planting anything with a deep root system near your sewage line, septic tank or adjoining leach field.
Old Sewer Lines
Often, sewer line problems are a result of aging. As certain types of sewer lines — like cast iron or clay — age, they deteriorate. They can develop cracks, holes, joint separation or even total collapse. These problems can slow or render the sewage line inoperable. Often, a plumbing contractor is needed to replace the lines. This project requires digging up the old line and replacing it with a modern sewer line conduit — most often polyvinyl chloride (PVC)– to restore service to the home.
There are signs you can look for that point to damaged sewer lines. Slow drains or frequent backups are your first indicators of a problem. A strong sewage smell or standing effluent in your yard is also a sign of sewer trouble. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away and could expose you to even costlier repairs in the future.
If you suspect that something’s up with your sewage lines, contact the Pink Plumber today.
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