All of the plumbing fixtures in your house are connected to the main sewer line, which can become clogged or damaged by a variety of causes.
A clog that only affects one fixture may be cleared with relative ease, but a clog in the main sewer line typically requires a professional plumber to fix.
Repairing a damaged sewer line may involve replacing a particular section, but in some cases, the entire sewage system needs repair.
Knowing the cause of a sewer line problem is essential for selecting the most appropriate and cost-effective solution.
Identifying Plumbing Problems Requiring Sewer Line Repair
The causes of sewer line problems can generally be classified into clogs and ruptures.
Clogs are much easier to fix, so initial troubleshooting suggestions often focus on clearing the drain first and foremost.
However, if your efforts to unclog a drain fail, a plumber will usually be needed to isolate the specific problem area.
Keep in mind that an issue affecting all fixtures in your home at the same time is a strong indication that the main sewer line is the culprit.
Plumbing clogs
The most frequent cause of clogged sewer lines is flushing inappropriate items.
Despite manufacturer’s warnings stating the contrary, the general rule of thumb is that human waste and toilet paper are the only items that should go down the toilet.
It’s recommended to never to flush the following:
- Feminine hygiene products
- Paper towels
- Wipes, even those labeled as “flushable”
- Other bathroom products like cotton balls, Q-Tips, etc.
- Pretty much anything other than human waste and toilet paper
The kitchen sink is also a common source of clogs, especially grease.
Never dump any type of grease down the drain. It congeals into a solid when it cools to room temperature and isn’t water-soluble. This means it can’t be dissolved no matter how much water you flush down in an attempt to clear the clog.
The best practice for disposing of used grease is to pour it into a used container such as a jar or coffee can then dispose of it in the trash once it’s cooled.
Plumbing ruptures
Ruptures in a sewer line may take the form of bends, cracks or complete breaks, all of which can create plumbing problems.
Severe damage to a sewer line can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Shifting soil, often as a result of normal settling
- Increased vehicle traffic
- Use of heavy construction equipment
- Tree root intrusion
Invasion of tree roots into the sewer line is a common household plumbing problem especially in homes with older plumbing systems.
In their search for water, tree roots may grow into the open end of a sewer pipe and break it with surprising effectiveness when the roots grow larger.
Porous materials like clay are more vulnerable to this kind of sewer line damage as these were the most frequently used piping material before the development of modern PVC pipes.
Joints can also develop leaks over time due to corrosion or poor construction.
A section of sewer pipe can start to sag when the soil under it sinks, usually as a result of natural conditions. Solid waste will accumulate here, eventually resulting in frequent blockages. This is one of the few problems with sewer lines that are out of the homeowner’s control.
Sewer Line Repair Solutions
Homeowners can safely perform some types of drain cleaning and maintenance tasks on a sewer line. However, only a certified plumber should replace or repair sewer lines.
Sewer Camera Inspection
Identifying the specific location of a damaged sewer line may require the use of a video camera at the end of a hose-like apparatus. A technician inserts the camera into the sewer line and pushes it through the system, while the camera records images.
Once the problem is located, a radio transmitter on the camera identifies its location and depth below the surface. This information allows a plumber to begin planning the sewer line repair.
Clog Removal
The methods of removing a clog may be classified into mechanical and chemical solutions.
Mechanical methods
This generally involves the use of various tools such as an auger. It’s functionally similar to the augers used by homeowners to clear a clog in an individual fixture, but the ones used by plumbers are longer and driven by electrical power.
A water jet is another tool that plumbers use to mechanically clear a clog, which typically generates pressure as high as 4,000 pounds per square inch (psi), which can remove tree roots.
Both of these methods can damage sewer lines if used incorrectly.
Chemical methods
Drains for individual fixtures can be cleared with caustic chemicals that dissolve hair and grease. This is only recommended for single drain clogs.
Caustic, store-bought chemicals won’t clear a main sewer line clog simply because of the large amount of chemical that would be required. The only safe use of chemicals for clearing the main line is to kill tree roots.
Copper sulfate is a common choice for taking care of tree roots, but it needs to be done repeatedly. Copper sulfate is also illegal in some municipalities.
A foam containing Metam-sodium and dichlobenil as active ingredients is another option. The foam adheres to the inner surface of the pipe and will kill roots in a few hours, although it could take months to completely flush the roots away.
Sewer Line Replacement
Sewer line repair methods include traditional and trenchless approaches.
Traditional sewer line replacement
This method requires digging out the soil along the problem area to obtain easy access.
Once the section of damaged pipe has been repaired or replaced, the trench can be refilled with soil.
Trenchless sewer line replacement
This method involves digging a small hole at each end of the damaged pipe. The plumber then pulls a new pipe through the old pipe, breaking the old pipe into pieces.
Professional Sewer Line Repair and Replacement
Sewer line repair is always the first, most preferred option. However, if a sewer line replacement is necessary, we provide one of the best guarantees in the business, 20-year warranty on all work and parts.