Sewer line problems in your Downers Grove (IL) home are a huge deal; they can bring your entire household to a standstill. The fact is, you really don’t know how many everyday activities in your home depend on the smooth operation of your sewer line until the sewer line stops working, says Sand Dollar Team.
A malfunctioning sewer system can transform simple things like taking a morning shower into a grueling battle. Sewer line problems in your home will leave you angry and frustrated as they upset your day-to-day routine and inflict massive water damage on your home.
But the good news is most sewer line problems are preventable. Your sewer line is not going to start acting up suddenly. Before sewer line issues get to the point where they threaten the well-being of your family and the safety of your building, they would have given you signs.
In addition to knowing the signs of an impending sewer line emergency in your home, it is crucial to know what problems are likely to occur. In this post, we explain five common sewer line problems you may face in your Downers Grove, IL home.
5 most common sewer line problems in Downers Grove, IL homes
Clogs and blockages
This is the result of buildup within the sewer system. Buildup in a sewer line happens because of the solids/semi-solids in the wastewater that flows through the line. The habits of the residents of the home also affect the rate of buildup rate in the sewer system. If human or pet hair, excessive soap scum, and certain types of food waste or household products are allowed to enter the drainage system, the sewer line will be disposed of clogs and blockages. Pouring fats, oils and grease into the drains will also predispose the sewer line to clogs and blockages.
Tree roots intrusion
Tree roots are a major cause of sewer line problems in Downers Grove homes. Tree roots can sense the liquid inside a sewer line and the heat generated by the moving water inside the pipes. If there are hairline cracks or weak joints, tree roots will enter the sewer line and block it. Invasive tree roots may cause cracks and misalignment in your sewer line. You can prevent this problem by removing all tree/tree roots in the area of the sewer line. If the sewer line is already compromised by tree roots, you can get rid of them by hydro-jetting the sewer line or rodding it.
Sewer line corrosion
Corrosion is an unavoidable problem in your sewer line because of its function and the environment in which it operates. However, the rate of corrosion in a sewer line is also influenced by the material of the sewer line and how the sewer line is used. Metal and clay sewer pipes are more prone to corrosion than plastic sewer lines. Dumping grease into a sewer line will increase the corrosion rate; this is a major cause of sewer line bellies. Every sewer line eventually suffers from corrosion, but you can take steps to ensure that your home does not suffer due to this problem.
Aging sewer line
Due to the increasing weakness of its pipes, an aging sewer line will be more vulnerable to damage than a relatively new line. All sewer lines have an expiration date, and how long a sewer system lasts depends on the type of materials in the line. Because they react with the water and the soil around them, metal pipes are more susceptible to corrosion than plastic pipes. But regardless of the type of material, your sewer line will eventually start to lose its structural integrity. A sewer line near or past the manufacturer’s projected lifespan should be replaced.
Soil movements
Changes in the soil structure surrounding a sewer system can result in sewer line problems. These problems may be due to uneven house settling. They could also be the outcome of seismic activities like earthquakes or sinkholes. Excessive rainfall can cause soil movements, especially in areas with clayey soils. Driving heavy equipment over the location of a sewer line can compact the soil and move the line out of position. Leaks in the sewer line can also weaken the soil, resulting in the collapse of the sewer line.
How to detect, solve or prevent sewer line problems
When dealing with sewer line problems in your Downers Grove home, early detection is the best strategy. To detect minor issues before they become major problems, you need a sewer line maintenance program that includes yearly comprehensive professional sewer line inspections.
Professional sewer camera inspections let you detect problems at their early stages. They give you the chance to minimize the impact of those issues. You can prevent future problems by hydro-jetting or sewer rodding the line to clean it. You may also do preemptive sewer line repair for bigger issues.