As a homeowner, dealing with a sewage line blockage or leak can be aggravating. Along with the unpleasant odor and laborious cleanup of a clogged sewer line, determining the core cause of your sewage problem can be tough.
It is critical to understand the major causes of sewage line damage to assist avoid or alleviate an issue when it occurs. Sewer Line Repair And Replacement
Here are the most typical reasons for a broken sewage line, as well as warning signals to watch for and how to repair or replace your sewer system.
Sewer Line Damage Causes
Here are a few reasons for sewage line damage, ranging from blocked pipes to typical wear and tear.
Roots of trees
Tree roots are one of the most prevalent sources of sewage line damage. As a tree grows, it’s roots follow water sources.
Because sewage lines transport liquid waste, roots are naturally drawn to the source—especially if there is already a tiny breach in the pipe.
When tree roots come into touch with a sewage pipe, they begin to wrap around and break through it, obstructing, weakening, and even damaging the structure. Sewer Line Repair And Replacement
Corroded pipelines
Although steel and cast-iron pipes are galvanized to prevent rusting, they are prone to corrosion owing to calcium and magnesium build-up from normal wear and use.
If corrosion is not addressed, it can lead to leaks and cracks in the pipe.
Pipe Blockages Caused by Debris and Foreign Objects
The sewage lines in your home are solely designed to handle human waste and toilet paper. Avoid flushing rubbish such as wrappers and paper towels. Sewer Line Repair And Replacement
Cooking oil and grease may also clog pipes in the kitchen if dumped into the sink.
Temperatures at Extremes
Frozen pipes can burst as a result of growing ice during severe temperatures and cold weather. However, it is not only cold weather that can cause pipes to break; excessive heat, while unusual, can also cause pipes to burst.
Sewer Line Damage Symptoms
To avoid more damage, it’s critical to recognize the indicators of a faulty sewer system so that you can act quickly and contact an expert repair specialist.
Yard Flooded
A flooded yard may indicate a damaged sewer line. Sewer lines can be buried anywhere from a few feet to six feet below ground, with colder areas necessitating deeper pipes.
A damaged sewage line near the surface can rapidly begin to pool water, which seeps through the grass and becomes apparent on the surface.
Because sewage gas may infiltrate through your yard’s soil, you may be able to smell it before it appears.
Difficulties with Draining
While some blockages are caused by a pipe that leads straight from a faucet or shower, a blockage in the main sewage system can be detected if many draining sites in the property are clogged.
Toilets may detect severe obstructions by making unusual gurgling sounds as air is forced back up the pipe.
Water Damage in the Residence
Water damage can occur in the home if a drain pipe leaks or breaks. Mold developing on the floors or walls is one of the first indicators.
This might indicate a damaged sewage line within your property, in which case you should contact a plumbing professional right once.
Sewer Line Repair and Replacement
If your sewage line bursts or leaks and has to be fixed, you have two choices: Construct a trench around the sewer pipe or employ trenchless sewer line repairs.
Trenchless sewer repair saves time and money by needing little to no digging. To begin, professionals use a video camera to enter the sewage pipe and offer repairs.
Then, one of two plumbing repairs is typically suggested:
Pipelining
If your sewage pipe has only minor damage, pipe lining can be utilized to introduce
an inflated tube coated in epoxy into your sewer system.
When a sewage line is sufficiently damaged to be repaired using pipe lining, a more invasive trenchless repair method might be used.
Technicians insert a cone-shaped bit into your old line, destroying it and quickly replacing it with a new one. This method is more expensive and time-consuming, but it does not need substantial excavation.
How to Protect Your Sewer Lines
Receive sewer line inspections at least once a year— To ensure that your sewage system is in good operating order.
Remove trees that are causing sewage line damage
we nevertheless recommend removing the tree from the area.
FAQs Related to Sewer Line Repair
How long can a sewage pipe be expected to last?
The composition of your sewage line determines its lifespan. Cast iron pipes have a lifespan of 75-100 years, clay and cement pipes have a lifespan of up to 100 years,
Orangeburg pipes have a lifespan of 50 years, and PVC pipes have a lifespan of more than 100 years.
Is sewage line damage covered by homeowner’s insurance?
Fortunately, many home warranty providers offer septic system coverage, which allows you to safeguard your sewage systems.
If your sewer line is clogged, you can try the following steps to unclog it:
If you want some additional information about this. You can read more:
Here are some additional details and tips to help you unclog your sewer line:
Plunge the toilet:
If the clog is in the toilet, use a plunger to attempt to remove it. Make sure to create a tight seal between the plunger and the toilet bowl, then plunge up and down several times.
Use a drain snake:
A drain snake is a flexible rod that is inserted into the pipes to clear blockages. You can rent or buy a drain snake from a hardware store. To use the snake, insert it into the drain and turn the handle clockwise to feed the snake into the pipes. Once the snake reaches the clog, rotate it to break up the blockage.
Pour hot water:
Pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain can help to break up the clog. This is especially effective for grease and soap-based clogs.
Use baking soda and vinegar:
Mixing baking soda and vinegar can create a chemical reaction that can help to clear clogs. Start by pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then follow it with 1 cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then flush it with hot water.
Call a plumber:
If the clog cannot be cleared with the above methods, you should consider calling a plumber. A professional will have the tools and experience to safely remove the clog and repair any damage that may have been caused. They may also use a hydro jet, which is a high-pressure water stream that can clear the clog and clean the pipes.
It’s also important to regularly maintain your pipes to prevent clogs from happening in the first place. This can include not putting grease down the drain, avoiding flushing non-degradable items like wipes, and using a drain strainer to catch hair and food particles.
Note: It’s important to keep in mind that attempting to remove a clog on your own can be dangerous. If you do not feel comfortable performing any of the above steps, it’s best to call a professional. You can hire officials near you or online. So, you can avoid any kind of injury.
