If you ever ask a homeowner, “How important is your sewer line?”, you’re probably going to get an odd look. Frankly, most homeowners never have a second thought about their sewer line until it decides to back up, then they jump into action. Every drain in your home will make its way to the main sewer line. It is responsible for carrying sewage to the main city sewer pipe. The sewer line is also known as the sewer pipe, sewer main, and sewer drain. Remember the same materials that clogged a toilet, bathroom sink, bathtub drain, or kitchen sink need to flow through your sewer pipes every day. It will eventually make its way through the sewer system and into a treatment plant. So it’s essential to control what goes down our drains.
What Causes A Sewer Pipe To Break Down
Most sewer pipe problems take place in older homes. Newer homes rarely experience a problem with their lines unless there’s a massive shift in soil. One of the most common problems is a leaking sewer main caused by pipe corrosion. Another issue is a pipe fracture caused by years of shifting soil. Once a fracture has occurred in the line it can become a place where roots enter and live off the nutrient-rich sewage, growing rapidly until it eventually clogs up the sewer line. Years of disposing of grease and other drain-clogging items down your drain can be another reason for your drains backing up. Your sewer line, unlike other plumbing problems, will throw off warning signs before it becomes clogged.
Warning signs:
- All the drains in your house are moving slowly.
- Patches of grass that are much greener than the rest of your yard
- Unpleasant smell in the yard
- Puddling or spongy areas on your lawn
All Cast Iron Pipes Will Need Replacing Soon
Cast-iron pipes were used up until the 1980s. Then PVC became the standard for sewer mains. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the average age of a broken water main is 47 years. That means that many of these cast-iron pipes will need replacing soon. PVC pipes have been designed to last for longer. They can last for more than 100 years and have been in use since 1980.
The Number One Warning Is Slow Moving Drains
Slow-moving drains are the number one sign that your sewer line is becoming completely clogged. Calling a drain specialist right away should be your number one priority. In the worst-case scenario, your drains can back up and sewage can spill over into your bathroom.
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Reasons Why Our Sewer lines Fail
Benefits Of A Trenchless Sewer Line
Who’s Responsible For A Lateral Sewer Line
