The main sewage line is crucial to your plumbing system. If it becomes damaged, the results can be expensive and dangerous.
The best way to protect your home is with regular inspections and maintenance. When you notice any signs of a problem, call professional Plumbers Aurora CO immediately. Trenchless repair methods such as pipe bursting can save you time, money, and the headache of digging up your landscaping.
Clogged Pipes
Most clogs in your home’s drains are caused by hair, soap scum, food scraps and other debris that build up over time. A plunger or plumbing snake can often dislodge these blockages. For more serious clogs that don’t respond to homemade remedies, call a professional plumber. If you can smell raw sewage in your home, it’s likely the result of a sewer line backup that could cause sewage to flow back into your drains and plumbing fixtures.
If you suspect a major clog in your home’s drains, turn off water to all of your faucets. This prevents accidental water use that can aggravate the problem or force wastewater into areas of your home where it shouldn’t be. It also keeps automatic processes like dishwashers on a timer from continuing to drain into your clogged pipes.
Begin with the lowest-level drains and fixtures in your home, such as toilets, bathtubs and showers. Since they have the shortest distance to your home’s main drain line, these will be the first to experience issues when a clog forms. Look for signs of a clog in these drains, such as gurgling or slow drainage.
Grease, fat and oils can solidify in your pipes and form a tough clog that’s difficult to break down. To keep grease, fat and oil out of your drains, let cooking liquids cool before pouring them down the drain and wipe up excess from dishes before putting them in the sink.
Mineral buildup, such as limescale, can clog your drains over time. Over time, minerals in your hard water can build up and coat the interior of your pipes, creating a “catch-all” blockage that catches everything going down your drains.
Paper products, including toilet paper, “flushable” wipes, tampons and more, can wreak havoc on your home’s drain lines. These items often clog your toilets and the drains in your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room.
For most homeowner’s, there is no do-it-yourself way to fix a main sewer line clog. These are usually buried underground and require specialized equipment and expertise to deal with.
Cracked Pipes
Sewer and drain pipes are subjected to a lot of stress. They have to withstand the weight of sewage and water, as well as the force of gravity. Over time, these pipes can start to crack and break. This can be caused by various factors, including the age of the pipes, environmental changes, and pressure from household plumbing. Cracked sewer pipes can lead to sewage backups and other unpleasant problems around the home.
Thankfully, there are some things you can do to help fix cracked pipes before calling in the professionals. The first thing you should do is shut off the water supply to your home. Once the water is turned off, take a look at the damaged pipe to see where it’s located. If the pipe is exposed, you can use a pipe clamp to temporarily fix it. You can find these at most hardware stores or auto shops. You can also try wrapping the leaky section of pipe in electrical or duct tape and using hose clamps at both ends of the tape to hold it in place. This is a quick, cheap, and temporary solution that should last until you can get a plumber to come out.
For a more permanent solution, you can buy epoxy putty at most hardware stores and auto shops. Apply the putty to the broken pipe and let it dry for 1 hour. This will seal the leak and prevent sewage from entering your home. If you have a large leaking pipe, you may need to cut off the damaged portion of the pipe and replace it with a new one.
Another option is to use a repair kit that comes with a special liner. This lining is inserted into the pipe and it fills any cracks or holes in the pipe, protecting it from further damage. This method is best for small to medium-sized holes or leaks.
Sewer lines are the least visible part of a plumbing system, making them the most neglected until a problem occurs. It is important to have a professional plumber inspect your pipes on a regular basis and to take preventative measures like cleaning and insulating them. Doing so can extend their life and reduce the likelihood of needing to replace them.
Tree Roots
A lush landscape is a great way to add curb appeal and value to a home, but it can also cause problems if the trees are too close to the foundation or sewage line. Tree roots can break pipes, causing sewer and water backups, as well as damage to the home’s structure and exterior concrete surfaces.
Roots are vital to a healthy tree, as they provide anchorage, uptake of water and nutrients, help prevent soil erosion and serve as a symbiotic relationship with the soil around them. Oftentimes, people don’t think about their tree roots because they are buried underground and out of sight. However, the root system is one of the most important, if not the most important, part of any tree.
When a tree is injured, the roots respond to that injury by sending nutrients and water to the trunk, branches and leaves. The root system also controls a tree’s growth and development, making it critical to maintain the health of a mature tree.
Unless a tree is severely damaged, most root disturbances do not result in death or serious injury. But severing roots reduces water and nutrient uptake, eliminates stored energy and can compromise the stability of a mature tree. The most common types of root disturbance include grading, trenching, construction activities and paving.
Surface roots are also a problem for homeowners, as they can tamper with lawn mowers, destroy sidewalks and cause trip hazards in the landscape. When exposed, they can clog irrigation systems and damage driveways. Some people attempt to remove surface roots by spraying them with chemical growth inhibitors, but this can be dangerous for the tree and should only be done by a professional.
When it comes to your property, the best thing you can do is be proactive about dealing with potential problems related to sewage lines and tree roots. Taking steps to prevent future problems with these issues will save you time and money in the long run. If you do notice signs of problems with your sewage lines, sewer line or landscaping, contact your local plumber for more information on how to get the situation under control.
Sewage Backups
Sewage backups are more than just a smelly nuisance; they can lead to expensive and damaging water damage in your home. Raw sewage contains harmful bacteria and pathogens that can make you and your family sick. It can also cause serious structural problems with your house’s foundation, walls, floors, and furniture. Sewage backups are the result of clogged and damaged sewer lines that prevent wastewater from flowing away properly.
The most obvious sign of a sewer backup is when wastewater backs up into your house’s drains. If a large amount of sewage backs up into your house, you should immediately contact a plumbing professional for help. A qualified plumber can use specialized equipment to clear the blockage and restore your sewage system.
Often, what appears to be a sewage backup is actually a simple drain clog. Grease, soap scum, and hair can all get stuck in individual drain pipes and prevent water from passing through them. If this is the case, your plumber can usually clear the clog using drain snakes or plungers. If the problem is more widespread, you may need to hire a plumbing company to thoroughly clean out your entire sewer line.
If you have a severe sewage backup, you’ll need to discard anything that can absorb the water and sewage, such as carpets, wood flooring, furniture, and drywall. You’ll also need to open windows and doors to allow fresh air into the affected areas of your home. It’s important to turn off any electrical devices in the area as well.
It’s important to note that your home’s sewer line isn’t always directly connected to the main city line. If your sewage line is backed up, it could be due to issues with the lateral sewer line that runs from your home to the main line. If this is the case, your plumber will need to determine whether the problem is on the lateral line or with the city’s sewer main.
No one wants to deal with a sewage backup. But with regular maintenance, you can reduce your risk of experiencing this unpleasant problem. A yearly inspection of your drain pipes is a great way to keep them in good condition. By hiring a plumbing company to scope and clean your drains, you can rest assured that your sewage lines are functioning properly and won’t experience any major issues in the future.
