Sewer line problems in your home pose a significant threat to the health and function of your plumbing system, as well as the comfort and well-being of your family. These problems are consistently rated as a leading cause of foundation failure in American homes.
When a sewer line is in trouble, the worst thing about it is that, many times, the system will not give you notice. According to 3 Keys Management, Inc., sewer line problems can cause significant damage to your plumbing, and you may be unaware of the issues in your home.
This is why a great number of sewer line problems result in emergencies. The issues have been unfolding for a long time, but the homeowner only becomes aware of them when they cause major disruptions and destruction inside their home.
Why sewer line problems happen
From the moment a new sewer line is laid in the ground, it begins to degenerate. This process is completely unavoidable because it is the result of biological, chemical, and physical forces within the soil that act on the sewer line and cause it to age faster.
These natural forces can manifest as tree roots penetrating the sewer line through weak spots in the system. They can also come in the form of ground movement caused by soil erosion, house settling, or seismic activity. These can displace or crack a sewer line.
Another source of stress to your sewer line is wastewater. The debris inside the water can settle along the sewer line, clogging and even blocking the pipes. Sewer pipes may also be subject to corrosion from the water flowing through them.
Your sewer line will also experience problems if it was improperly installed. Common installation errors when installing a sewer line include improper sloping and misaligned joints. Both of these problems will make the line vulnerable to leaks and clogs.
A sewer line suffering from any of these issues will have one or all of the following problems:
- Clogs and Blockages: Clogs and blockages are the most common sewer line issues in homes. They happen when debris enters and settles within the sewer line.
- Tree root invasion: The roots of nearby trees and shrubs can penetrate the sewer line, resulting in blockages. Tree roots can crack and fracture your sewer line.
- Pipe corrosion and deterioration: The rate of pipe corrosion often depends on the hardness level of a home’s water supply. Hard water increases the rate of pipe corrosion.
- Pipe misalignment or collapse: This can be from improper sewer line installation, soil movements, or construction activities.
- Leaking pipes and joints: The leading cause of sewer line leaks is aging. Earth movements, poor installation, and corrosion can also cause your sewer line to leak.
It can be hard to detect when your sewer line is suffering from these issues. Most times, the signs of the problem feel insignificant, or they appear to have no connection to the sewer line. However, if they are not solved, these problems can cause a sewage backup inside your house.
Preventing sewer line problems with a sewer camera inspection
A sewer camera inspection is the most effective way to detect sewer line problems before they cause a plumbing emergency in your home. A sewer camera inspection allows you to closely inspect the inside of your sewer pipes without digging pipes.
How does a sewer camera inspection work?
A specialized high-resolution waterproof camera is used for this inspection. After being mounted on a flexible cable, the camera is inserted into the sewer line via a cleanout or other access point. The cable is used by the plumber to guide the camera through the sewer line.
As it travels through the pipes, the camera captures a close-up video of the pipe channel and transmits it in real-time to a screen monitored by the Oak Park, IL plumber. This inspection is the most effective strategy for averting sewer line problems in your home because it:
- Provides accurate diagnoses: You can detect the problems in your sewer line with 100% accuracy. It also helps your plumber decide the best methods to solve those problems.
- It is minimally disruptive: This inspection can be completed in a few hours with very little disruption to your family’s routine. Doing a sewer camera inspection will not leave a mess.
- Great for preventive maintenance: If done on a schedule, a sewer camera inspection will help you preempt sewer line problems in your home by letting you detect issues earlier.
- Permits timely action: Adding periodic sewer line inspections to your drain maintenance program will save you more money by preventing damage to your plumbing and building.
When should you do a sewer camera inspection?
If your drains are slow, you hear a gurgling sound each time you flush the toilet, the water level in your toilet bowl rises/falls erratically, and you can smell sewage inside/around your home, you should order a sewer camera inspection at once.
If none of these problems are present in your home, doing a sewer camera inspection once every year will ensure that you never suffer any sewer line problems in your home.