You probably think that your bathtub filling with water as you shower or the kitchen sink draining slowly means you need your plumbing snaked. It actually could be a much larger problem than that. Rather than a simple clog, the problem could lay down the line in the sewer lines leading to your house.
When your indoor plumbing starts acting up and unclogging the sink does not address the problem, look at the following potential causes. These indicate you need sewer line repair or replacement.
Consider the Pipes’ Age
Your sewer pipes probably match your home in age, so if you bought a home built 60 years ago or more, you have old pipes. If they have not been updated since you moved into your home, have them checked. You may have a mainline clog or require new sewer pipes. Many people confuse the smaller sewer pipes in their yard with the city’s sewer line system. The pipes in your yard feed into the larger sewer system; these large, municipal pipes the city handles. It makes repairs and replacements on the municipal system, but you must pay to replace the small feeder pipes in your yard.
Roots from Older Trees
Those big, bushy, older trees growing on your property add to your curb appeal and beautify your landscape, but their root system can wreak havoc on your sewer lines. Roots of healthy trees extend far into the yard. We can move the pipe away from the tree, or we can dig up the roots. Sometimes, it makes sense to do both.
Noisy or Singing Pipes
When your sink gurgles, you need to call a plumber. That gurgling could indicate a sewer line problem. Bubbles indicate the same issue.
Examine Your Landscape for Changes
Walkthrough your yard looking for signs of sewer issues. The most obvious sign a pipe broke may sound gross, but you will spot pooling sewage in your yard. Less gross, but still apparent signs of sewer line problems include soggy patches in the yard and very lush grass spots. An area of grass that appears a darker green than the rest indicates it receives more water. That usually means you have a leak or burst pipe.
Oh, That Smell
A smelly kitchen sink, bathroom sink, bathtub, etc., means there is a problem down the line. If you smell something odd when you walk around your yard, it indicates a sewer line problem. The smell comes from sewer gases and the backed-up materials causing a clog.
A Combination of the Above
Not to make you worry, but if you notice more than one of the above signs of sewer line issues, you should call your plumber for emergency service. The longer you delay calling and obtaining repair service, the worse the problem becomes. A small leak in a pipe can quickly grow significantly if root growth exacerbates the issue. If you only notice one problematic sign, you can call for an appointment. We will quickly service your plumbing.
Many options now exist for pipe repair and replacement. Some methods require minimal digging. This non-invasive method inserts a pipe liner inside the existing pipe, which expands to fill the space and block the leak. Of course, root problems mean digging, but depending on the cause of your sewer pipe issues, we may be able to use the non-invasive liner.
