Slow-Moving Drains Affecting Multiple Drains
Sluggish drains throughout the home are among the most common signs that a main sewer line may need replacing. When a main sewer line breaks down, it often causes blockages, preventing the normal flow of wastewater. In return, all the drains in the home start moving slowly. Unlike a localized clog that might affect one drain in a home, a problem with a main sewer line typically affects multiple drains.
You could unclog a single drain in your home and see modest improvement in the flow in that drain. Still, if all your drains are sluggish simultaneously and you are unsuccessful at clearing them using the usual tools such as plungers, you can be sure there is a clog further down the main sewer line. This problem often points to tree root intrusion or damage within the main sewer line, requiring a camera inspection.
Recurring Clogs in Your Plumbing System
Recurring clogs in your home’s plumbing system are a telltale sign that your sewer line needs replacing. While clogged pipes are commonplace and usually easily solved with standard plumbing solutions, frequent blockages usually indicate a more serious underlying problem. When multiple drains in your home frequently plug up, it’s a strong clue that the main sewer line is experiencing some damage or obstruction.
Infiltrating tree roots, corroded pipes, and significant blockages can cause wastewater to back up from your plumbing system. Temporary plumbing solutions like snaking a drain to clear up frequent clogs can offer only short-term relief. You need a professional plumber to prevent recurring plumbing problems and the onset of costly property damage. A plumbing expert can inspect your main sewer line and suggest any necessary repairs or replacements.
Raw Sewage Making It’s Way into Your Home
One of the most terrifying and obvious signs that your sewer line needs replacing is if raw sewage is backing up into your bathrooms. When the main sewer line is completely blocked or damaged, wastewater backs up and can overflow your toilets, bathtubs, and other plumbing fixtures. The raw sewage is an extremely unpleasant and unsanitary situation, not to mention it has the dangers of bacteria and pathogens that sewage can contain.
In most cases, a hydrojetter or a plumber snake is, at best a short-term solution. When sewage starts backing up, it usually means sewer line replacement is right around the corner. A qualified plumbing expert will determine the best course of action. So, replacing the old line with a new one will keep your wastewater flowing smoothly to the municipal sewer line and out to the wastewater plant.
Terrible Sewer Gas Odors around Your Home
Are you getting terrible sewer gas odors at your home (inside or outside)? This can signal that your sewer line is leaking, and you may need to replace the line. When a sewer line is broken, the primary odor is an overwhelming smell of methane and hydrogen sulfide gas. It’s often a disgusting mix of odors from your home’s wastewater plumbing system.
Sewer gas odors are unpleasant, and suffering from them in your home can be even worse. So, the solution is to call your Big B’s Plumbing technician, who can perform a comprehensive sewer inspection. They have state-of-the-art tools and camera inspection equipment to locate the problem and provide a strategy to repair it.
Lush Green Areas on Your Lawn
These dark green spots might indicate a serious sewer line leak if your grass is particularly lush and growing faster than usual. As the raw sewage leaks from your sewer line, it enriches the surrounding soil from which your grass feeds. The green spot on the grass signals a much more serious problem. The longer a leaking sewer line is left unattended, the larger the problem can grow –from soil erosion to foul smells that can permeate your home, even health concerns. Often, the only way to remedy a compromised sewer line and get your plumbing back to working order is by replacing the line; usually, the best solution is a trenchless sewer line. This will not only prevent further damage to your home but also be the most cost-effective solution to the problem.
An Infestation of Pest Around Your Home
Pests are another common indicator of a broken sewer line. When a sewer line is damaged, wastewater can leak out of the pipe, creating a pathway for pests such as rodents, cockroaches, and other insects drawn to the moisture and food. Rodents, in particular, may be attracted to a damaged pipe where the warmth and damp conditions provide shelter. And rodents can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces. The presence of pests can also worsen health issues since many of them carry diseases. If you notice that pests are more active around your home, this could indicate that you have a broken sewer line. To fix this problem, you must contact a professional plumber to inspect the line.
Mold and Mildew on Walls, Floors and Ceiling
Mold and mildew on your home’s ceilings, walls, and floors can be a significant sign of a broken sewer line. When a sewer line is compromised, it can lead to leaks and moisture buildup in areas that should remain dry. This excess moisture creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to thrive, leading to unsightly stains, unpleasant odors, and potential health hazards such as allergies and respiratory issues.
Mold spores can spread quickly through your home, damaging the structural integrity of your property. If you notice persistent mold and mildew growth, particularly in areas not typically exposed to water, a professional must inspect your sewer line. Addressing a broken sewer line can stop the source of moisture, prevent further mold growth, and ensure a healthier living environment.
Here’s the Process and Solution to Your Broken Sewer Line:
First, the line is hydrojetted, and a camera inspection is performed, as mentioned above, to pinpoint the problem. Once the inspection is complete, a plan is devised that best suits your sewer line. There are five trenchless procedures, as shown below. However, the two most popular are pipe bursting and CIPP Inversion Lining.
- Pipe Bursting
- CIPP Inversion Lining
- Slip-lining
- Pull-in-Place Pipe Lining
- Spray-in-Place Pipe Lining
Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement Has Numerous Advantages
In contrast, trenchless sewer line replacement has numerous advantages over the most typical methods used to replace underground sewer lines:
- A trenchless sewer line replacement requires minimal digging. This means your landscaping and other items outside and above the line, like your driveway, will not have to be dug up or destroyed. This vastly reduces restoration costs and the amount of cleanup that needs to be done after work is finished.
- Since the digging is reduced, this typically means that the technology allows for shorter completion times, meaning less overall time with your home or business.
- The technology is durable, will last 50 years or more, and results in a more reliable system.
The materials used in the trenchless sewer line replacement process, such as cured-in-place pipe or pipe bursting techniques, increase the durability of the lines, making your sewer less likely to need further repairs in the future. Trenchless sewer line replacement is also less invasive, making it the safer choice.
Be Proactive and Prevent Your Home from a Damaged Sewer Line
Knowing the warning signs that your sewer line might fail can help you make an informed decision. Slow-moving drains, chronic clogs, raw sewage backups, sewer gas odors, extra green patches in your lawn, pests invading your home, and mold and mildew are all indicators of a failing sewer line. The quicker you can identify these signs and have a professional plumber handle the issue, the less damage you’ll have to repair.
When there are major issues with the sewer line that require replacement, you can often get a new sewer line without damaging your property by getting trenchless sewer line replacement, which provides a long-term fix in a minimally invasive way. By remaining vigilant and proactive, you can help protect your home from a broken sewer line’s severe, costly consequences.
