Understanding the Causes of Sewer Line Damage and Prevention Tips for Homeowners

Sewer lines play an essential role in keeping homes clean and sanitary. Unfortunately, they are vulnerable to damage that can cause costly repairs.

Seeing water stains creep up your walls or floors is one of the most common signs of a problem with your sewer line. It can also lead to bacterial contamination, mold growth, and more.

Old Pipes

Older pipes are more likely to break down or crack. Cast iron and clay pipes don’t last very long, and even PVC pipes deteriorate over time. Corrosion happens when water eats away at the inside of a pipe. Over time, this can cause a sewer line to collapse or leak.

Tree roots are another common cause of clogged or damaged sewer lines. Roots search for moisture and latch onto a nearby sewer line. Over time, they can pierce through the pipe and clog it entirely.

Heavy traffic over a sewer line can also cause damage. Traffic isn’t typically a problem, but when there’s a lot of rain, and people use the water in their homes more frequently, it can put too much pressure on the sewer system. It can cause the lines to bend, crack, or even break. Sewer line problems that result from heavy traffic are usually costly to fix. They can also cause sewage to go back into the home, which is dangerous for everyone.

Sewage Backups

Sewage backups are an unpleasant and costly home issue that can pose health concerns. If you encounter sewage backup in your bathroom, kitchen, or basement, contact a Drain Solvers plumber immediately, as standing water and sewage can contain viruses and bacteria that can make you very sick.

If your toilets or sinks begin to back up with a muddy brown color, the underlying cause is likely a blocked or clogged sewer line. Hair, soap scum, and grease buildup can all lead to this problem, which a variety of factors can cause.

If you plant trees and shrubs on your property, their roots can infiltrate your sewage system, reaching and growing into pipes, cracking, or crushing them. It can be a significant issue, as the repair cost falls on the city and homeowner. Luckily, you can mitigate this problem by planting trees far away from the home lateral line and using plastic piping so tree roots cannot break through or chew through.

Tree Roots

Tree roots love water and stretch to get it, even into sewer lines. Tiny leaks and improperly sealed joints provide a perfect invitation for tree roots to enter your sewer pipes, which will cause blockages, drain damage, and sewage backups.

The symptoms of a root invasion into your sewer line include sinkholes in your yard, slow draining, and gurgling toilets. Foul odors are also an indicator of a problem with your sewer lines.

Although it is common for tree roots to infiltrate sewer pipes, there are preventive measures homeowners can take to avoid this expensive plumbing issue. First, carefully choose the trees you plant in your yard. Select species like palmettos, magnolias, and cedar trees that grow slower and are less likely to infiltrate pipes. In addition, regular maintenance and inspections help keep tree roots away from your plumbing. You can also install root barriers around new trees to redirect their growth.

Heavy Traffic

While it’s typically out of your control, heavy traffic from construction or landscaping can crush or damage sewer lines. It can create cracks or break lines, resulting in costly repairs.

A broken line can cause clogs and backups in your home. It may be as simple as a single drain that slowly backs up or as severe as wastewater flooding your home. If you notice foul smells, sounds, or water bubbling up from your toilet, it could be a sign of a sewer line issue!

As trees and shrubs grow, they can penetrate sewer lines for water. It can be especially problematic for older homes with clay piping. The roots can pierce small cracks and holes in the joints of these old pipes or even break through the entire pipe. The pressure from wastewater can then cause the entire pipe to collapse! That is why keeping trees and shrubs away from your property’s sewer lines is essential.