4 Common Sewer Line Problems
At Advanced Trenchless Solutions, we understand how frustrating a sewer line problem can be. Not only are the problems disruptive to your everyday life, but they can cause further damage to your home and property if left untreated.
Understanding common sewer line problems and their potential solutions is important to keeping your home running smoothly. Let’s take a look at some common sewer line problems and their solutions.
1. Pipe Blockages & Clogs
Pipe blockages are a frustrating problem, particularly when you’re unsure where the blockage is located. You’ve probably tried to pour a drain cleaner down your drains, but the water is still backing up in your toilet or shower.
You may have tried to DIY a drain snake. If you’ve tried to clear your pipes in every possible location and you still have backups, you might have a bigger problem on hand.
Causes of Pipe Blockages & Clogs
The most common cause of pipe clogs includes hair or grease build-up. However, if your drain cleaner solution isn’t working, there could be deeper causes of clogged pipes. Your sewer pipes could be broken, which can cause blockages to the flow of water.
Additionally, corrosion within your pipes or mineral deposits can also cause build-up and blockages in your sewer pipes.
Solutions for Pipe Blockages & Clogs
There are different ways to treat pipe blockages depending on what the cause is. If your previous efforts have not helped, it may be time to hire a professional to hydro-jet your pipes in the yard to flush out any clogs. However, if hydro-jetting doesn’t do it, you might have a broken pipe.
The easiest way to repair a broken pipe in your yard is pipe bursting: a method of pipe repair that uses a pneumatic device that bursts out the old pipe and replaces it immediately with a new pipe.
This trenchless pipe repair solution is minimally invasive to your yard and surrounding area and can be completed much quicker and cheaper than regular pipe replacement.
2. Pipe Corrosion
One common sewer line problem is pipe corrosion, which is caused by the deterioration and wearing away of pipes due to chemical, electrochemical, or physical reactions with their surrounding environment.
Pipe corrosion can affect pipes made of different materials, including metal, plastic, and concrete. Corrosion weakens pipes and can compromise their structural integrity, leading to collapse or breaks.
Causes of Pipe Corrosion
There are many ways that pipe corrosion can occur. One example includes your water quality. The pH level, mineral content, and oxygen concentration in your water supply can contribute to corrosion. Soft or acidic water can be more corrosive to metal pipes, for example.
The soil conditions around your pipes can also cause corrosion. The composition and moisture content of the soil can sometimes accelerate corrosion.
Additionally, chemical exposure and chemical reactions can cause corrosion, such as the presence of acidic or alkaline compounds or pollutants.
Solutions for Pipe Corrosion
The simplest solution for pipe corrosion is regular maintenance. Scheduling regular inspections can help mitigate potential problems before they become worse.
Another potential solution includes treating your water’s pH level or mineral content to help reduce corrosion. However, if your pipes are past that point, there are a few other solutions for pipe corrosion.
One popular solution to corrosion is pipe lining. Trenchless pipe lining is a process that involves lining your pipes with a liner made of epoxy resin that cures in place within your pipes.
When you choose pipe lining to solve your corrosion problem, a small hole is dug in your yard to gain access to your pipe, then the cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) equipment is sent down into your pipe, and a new lining is put into your existing pipes.
This minimally invasive procedure is completed quickly and efficiently without disruption to your entire yard.
3. Tree Roots in Pipes
Trees are an important part of our ecosystem, but their roots can cause destruction to sewer pipes. Approximately 50% to 75% of sewer line blockages are caused by tree roots.
Plus, trees tend to grow at a rate of one to two feet per year, depending on soil conditions. This rapid rate of growth means that even small cracks in your pipes can become pathways for roots.
Causes of Tree Roots in Pipes
When a tree’s roots spread out to collect water and nutrients, they tend to push and break through anything in their way. The roots can cause cracks and joints in your pipes that may lead to blockages and other potential problems.
Solutions for Tree Roots in Pipes
Professional root cutting and removal can temporarily solve the issue. However, this can be expensive and damaging to the trees.
For a better solution, consider trenchless pipe lining to stop tree roots from breaking your pipes. Pipe lining can remove the roots and replace the broken pipes with fresh pipe, which will last longer than your older pipes underground.
4. Main Water Line Leaks
Leaks in your main water line can disrupt your home and yard, causing backups inside the home and structural damage to your basement and foundation.
You can detect main water line leaks by checking for:
If you notice these signs, you will want to contact a professional plumbing company right away to address the leaks. If you’re unsure of who should repair the main water line, contact your local municipality for confirmation.
Causes of Main Water Line Leaks
Leaks in your main water line can be caused by decaying pipes, invading tree roots, corrosion, cracks, or broken joints. Depending on your pipe’s age, it could have weakened and lost its structural support, causing a leak.
Solutions for Main Water Line Leaks
To avoid massive disruption to your yard, it’s a good idea to hire a company to perform a camera scope inspection of the water line. This will tell the professionals where the leak is located so they can access that point and make repairs.
You can also consider a trenchless repair option like pipe lining, which will replace the pipe’s interior with a new liner that will fill gaps and cover cracks.
Replace or Repair Your Pipes Today With Advanced Trenchless Solutions
Whether your sewer line pipes are broken or clogged, Advanced Trenchless Solutions can help. Using our innovative and environmentally friendly procedures, such as pipe bursting and pipe lining, we can quickly repair your sewer line problems without destroying your front yard, causing sidewalk or road damage, and bringing heavy equipment to your house.
Check out our trenchless sewer repair process for more information about how we can solve your problems.
When you’re ready to stop worrying about sewer line problems, give us a call at 844-513*4106 or send us a message on our website.