Sewer line repair is a tough process. It’s a time and money-consuming endeavor that requires your immediate attention. The sewer line is often confused with the water line, which leaves an owner in a tough situation when it comes to repairs. On the other hand, repairing is not as same as replacing. Repairing is needed on a sewer line that has the potential to continue its job after the maintenance. Depending on the scale of fix, it’s mostly cheap. On the other hand, a replacement is a definitive change of part or whole sewer line, and it comes at a much higher price. This is a homeowner’s guide to sewer line repair, where we will familiarize ourselves with all the steps in this task.
What is a sewer line?
Before diving deeper into the problem, let us first discuss what sewer line is and what we are dealing with. Its main function is pretty easy to grasp. The sewer line’s primary job is to drain water from various parts of your home. These are called side drain lines. There is a multitude of them, ranging from the sinks in your kitchen to toilets in your bathroom. They all drain water and waste to the main sewer line. The main sewer line is responsible for further draining them away. Alternatively, having a good sewer line means less chance of an accident occurring. Accidents can range from small to catastrophic, depending on the damage they can cause. That is why keeping your sewer line cleaned and maintained is paramount.
Clogged sewer line repair
A clogged sewer line is definitely the most common problem. It occurs when numerous amounts of waste and water get stuck in the pipelines, which leads to water leakage. Most of the time, it’s due to the solid or objects that can be disintegrated getting stuck in the pipes. This can lead to a collapse of the sewage system, leaving you with a flooded house. On top, leaving a leaking pipe for longer periods of time can greatly disrupt the earth’s formation and lead to erosion. Water leaks can have major consequences on the health of your home. Depending on the severity and the number of the clogs, you will have to fix more than just one section of the pipes. Using a cable cleaning method can do the trick most of the time. This is a cheap way of repairing. Where cleaning cable lacks to perform, the hydro-jet comes in. Essentially doing the same job as the cleaning cable, hydro-jetting is more potent and clears the cogs with ease. In the worst-case scenario, you will have to replace parts of your sewer line, which is the most expensive solution.
How to know if you need repairs on the sewer line?
In this homeowner’s guide, we have discussed what sewer lines are and what is their most common problem. But we have yet to discuss how to spot if you are in need of repairs to your sewer line? There are a couple of factors and situations that can give you a hint, such as:
- Becoming difficult to drain water
- Smells of sewage are spreading
- Flooded backyard
- Water damage in your home
These are just some of the potential signs that you are in need of sewer line repairs. The sooner you spot any of these problems, the easier and cheaper the fix will be. Water damage in your home is potentially the worst thing that can happen on the list. If the damage it causes is serious, it can lead to home repair and renovation, leading to moving out during the renovation. During this process, you may have to relocate temporarily due to work at hand. The smells of sewage are not a good sign either. It often represents a clog somewhere in the system, leaving you to figure out where the actual clog is. Although there are many ways that your sewer lines can get broken, most can be avoided with a good maintenance plan.
Other most common sewer line repair causes every homeowner should know
Although we have covered the clogging of the pipes, there are other causes that we have yet to cover. Corrosion of pipes is one of them. Above all, ignoring the corrosion can lead to bigger problems later on. Corrosion will cause cracks and leaks, necessitating sewer line repair or sewer pipe replacement at the very least. Most sewer pipes are made of galvanized metals such as steel or cast iron, making them sturdier than the rest. Plastic pipes are cheaper but are far less sturdy. Living in a place with cold temperatures can also affect the sewer lines. If you are planning to move to a place with a harsher climate, why not ask for a help of a professional? At packandgomoversny.com, they suggest preparing yourself for the journey ahead. Low or extremely low temperatures put your sewer lines at the risk of cracking. Water in your sewer lines freezes and expands due to extreme cold. As the ice expands, the metal pipe may rupture or burst, causing leaks and preventing your sewer line from functioning properly.
How to maintain sewer lines
In order to prolong the lifespan of your sewer lines, there are a couple of techniques that you can use. Using a high-pressure water jet is an excellent and cheap way to get rid of clogs and obstacles from the pipes. On top of that, it cleans your lines from most of the residue that contributes to clogging growth. Another good way of maintenance is the usage of biological drain cleaners. Unlike caustic cleaners, which are dangerous to both pipes and beings, biological drain cleaners are harmless to the environment and living beings. They are comprised of bacteria that eat away organic matter that is stuck in your sewer pipes. This cheap technique only needs a wash after. Another good trick is to use a sewer camera to inspect the state of your sewer lines. Though you can do this by yourself, this method can precisely determine where and what needs fixing. These are the most prominent techniques that we have discussed in this guide to sewer line repair.
Sewer lines require lots of time and effort to maintain. Due to their constant use, they are susceptible to cracking, tearing, and breaking. As we can see from this homeowner’s guide to sewer line repair, there are many factors contributing to their lifespan. Ranging from clogs to extreme weather conditions. The bottom line is that the more we pay attention to our sewer line, the less of a chance it will have a defect and will need a repair. The repair process of sewer pipes is always tough, so putting effort into their maintenance can help you stay on top.